Supreme Court ruling

I think it's too soon to start disregarding existing knife or weapon laws and just carry whatever a person wants.

I think it will probably take some local/state court cases to determine state-by-state if, and/or how, the ruling affects knife carry.

I look to Kniferights.org for information on such matters. They seem very celebratory and optimistic on the subject in this article- https://www.kniferights.org/legisla...nd-amendment-decision-a-win-for-knife-owners/

Personally, I would be rather happy if the ruling meant I could carry a full-sized switchblade or a concealed fixed-blade here in California.
 
I HOPE it means that if there’s a similar knife case brought before the SCOTUS in the near future, a similar ruling will be reached.

Until then, unfortunately it probably doesn’t do much except give a clue as to how future rulings might go…
 
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In theory yes, the 2nd amendment says "arms".

In practice, and only if you are optimistic (see the new laws in NY), it will take years of litigation and continue to depend on states and counties.
 
Having finally plowed through the court decision, I agree with Killgar that it probably will take time and more litigation on a state-by-state basis before we'll know the effect of the case on rights to carry knives for self defense. One likely issue for California residents is that the process for obtaining a license for concealed carry (California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155) seems to apply only to guns, not knives.
 
There is one very good thing about the ruling as it pertains to my state of Maryland, a state affected by ruling: Our knife and hand weapons carry law (CR 4-101) has a full exemption for those who possess a handgun carry permit.
With permits now possible for regular folks like me, it means I will be able to carry concealed fixed blades, switchblades, blackjacks, nunchaku, or brass knuckles if I so please without any concern. Granted, I was really just interested in carrying fixed blades concealed. Open carry was always legal here, but I'm not a fan. Besides normal folks giving me weird looks, I also once had someone try to come up behind me and take a folder from my back pocket, so I prefer to keep my knives hidden.
 
I would be very happy if I could legally carry a 4.5 inch fixed blade iwb in Los Angeles. I won’t hold my breath.
 
I found a 2013 law review article entitled "Knives and the Second Amendment" that has some interesting observations if you have the patience to read through the whole thing. It seems to anticipate some of the points raised in the most Supreme Court case and discusses them with respect to knives. Here's a link to the article that I'm hoping will work:

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AurWj0RDWprfbB6arpeHg_eJ85w
 
Some states will readily adopt the ruling as pertaining also to knives, but that means some might require a permit to ccw. I was looking through state laws on AKTI.org. It looks like Wisconsin is one of the most open with respect to carrying specifically knives. The law specifically states that "'dangerous or deadly weapon' shall not apply to any knife, except in transfer to a minor." There is also no restriction on autos, balisongs, switchblades, or assisted open knives. But everything hinges on the requirement that the individual may legally 'posses' a firearm. Not 'purchase' or 'carry', just legally possess. There is also an exemption from any local law more stringent than the state law. And, no one authorized to carry can be cited for 'disorderly conduct' simply for carrying a gun or knife.

My personal view is that knives have been a primary tool for practically everyone, since the knife was invented some 7,000 years ago! A piece of printer paper is a weapon if you make it into a ball, and poke it down someone's windpipe! Absolutely anything, even water, could be a deadly weapon, because you can't breathe if you're submerged in it. Believe it or not, in China and India, every few years there is a death attributable to forcing compressed air up some guy's rectum! Governments want control over everything we let them.

No power has ever been wrested from government except by complaint!
 
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