Talking to the cops

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Peak_Oil

Joined
Nov 6, 2005
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I talked to a couple of cops tonight about how to comply with knife laws in my local area. They told me that butterfly knives and kershaw flippers are treated the same.

They have to be clipped to the pocket and can't be dropped into the pocket. Fair enough, I thought. As long as I know how to comply with the local laws I'm happy.

After my interaction with them, I wondered if I should get a card from them. I discussed the laws with them, should I have their card just in case I run into a county sheriff while I was in noncompliance with county law? I was thinking that maybe I should collect a card and a phone number just to double check my actions.

Knife laws vary quite a bit. Would it help to have the card of a local LEO to back me up in case I wound up in a technical law infraction? I have every intention to comply with the law.

Thanks for any feedback.
 
Peak_Oil said:
I talked to a couple of cops tonight about how to comply with knife laws in my local area. They told me that butterfly knives and kershaw flippers are treated the same.

They have to be clipped to the pocket and can't be dropped into the pocket. Fair enough, I thought. As long as I know how to comply with the local laws I'm happy.

After my interaction with them, I wondered if I should get a card from them. I discussed the laws with them, should I have their card just in case I run into a county sheriff while I was in noncompliance with county law? I was thinking that maybe I should collect a card and a phone number just to double check my actions.

Knife laws vary quite a bit. Would it help to have the card of a local LEO to back me up in case I wound up in a technical law infraction? I have every intention to comply with the law.

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...

YOU need to find out exactly what your state and local laws are.

There is a Knife Law forum here that can help.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=735
 
Like Brules said, I doubt they'd be willing to give you their information if they know that's what you intend to do with it.

I don't know how it is in your area, but where I live it doesn't matter what an officer told you five minutes ago, it matters what the officer that's talking to you right now says. I've had two different cops in the same gun show tell me two completely different things about what they would and wouldn't allow as far as knife carry goes. In my area it's really up to the interpretation of the officer at that moment as to what is allowable and what isn't (assuming your not completely disregarding a certain carry law).

Really, your best bet is just to try and fly under the radar altogether if your carrying a blade that is even questionable, or don't carry it at all. But don't rely on the word of one LEO to save you from another one who might either be stricter about the rules, or is simply having a bad day.

And I too am curious as to why your in close contact with so many LEO's on what seems like a regular basis.....
 
I have had many officers tell me that it always depends on intent with how they deal with a pocket knife of any kind even a Vic Classic, also the state knife laws are just that state laws most if not all local laws differ in some way. I am not sure what the deal with everybody asking him about his contact with LEO`s is about .Last summer I talked to a LEO about once a week due to many things none of them having to do with my actions only work and the stupid or unlawful acts of others.
 
Where does it say he runs into cops all the time? All it says is that he talked to a couple and got their input on what the local knife laws are in case he runs into another down the road. Someone has been watching Matlock re-runs again.
 
Moved to Knife Laws.

You need legal advice. Police enforce as much of the law as they can or as matters to them under changing circumstances. Could they turn everyone's pockets inside out? Why would they want to?

I would want independent legal advice, not from an officer or prosecutor.
 
You ask Five different cops at five different times what the laws are, and you will get five different answers. Cops are not Lawyers.
It's good that you feel comfortable enough to even talk to Cops about laws. But I would not talk to any cop unless I need to.
Here is a vid that is a little long but good info
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik
 
Peak_Oil said:
I talked to a couple of cops tonight about how to comply with knife laws in my local area. They told me that butterfly knives and kershaw flippers are treated the same.

They have to be clipped to the pocket and can't be dropped into the pocket. Fair enough, I thought. As long as I know how to comply with the local laws I'm happy.

After my interaction with them, I wondered if I should get a card from them. I discussed the laws with them, should I have their card just in case I run into a county sheriff while I was in noncompliance with county law? I was thinking that maybe I should collect a card and a phone number just to double check my actions.

Knife laws vary quite a bit. Would it help to have the card of a local LEO to back me up in case I wound up in a technical law infraction? I have every intention to comply with the law.

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...
My advice would be to "drop" the knife into your strong-side front trouser pocket, completely concealed and go about your daily business. The less said to LEOs, the better, with my apologies to any LEO who happens to be a member of this forum. Yes, there are many decent, hard-working LEOs who are just doing their job to the best of their abilities, but anti-social, chip-on-shoulder, get-even-with-the-world dickhead-types are over-represented within their ranks. Why take the chance on getting harassed or arrested by one of these dickheads? You don't need the aggravation. Conceal your knife well, dress decently, keep a low profile and enjoy your life.
 
TOM1960 said:
My advice would be to "drop" the knife into your strong-side front trouser pocket, completely concealed and go about your daily business. The less said to LEOs, the better, with my apologies to any LEO who happens to be a member of this forum. Yes, there are many decent, hard-working LEOs who are just doing their job to the best of their abilities, but anti-social, chip-on-shoulder, get-even-with-the-world dickhead-types are over-represented within their ranks. Why take the chance on getting harassed or arrested by one of these dickheads? You don't need the aggravation. Conceal your knife well, dress decently, keep a low profile and enjoy your life.
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What he said!!--KV
 
Police are idiots, don't trust them. They know as much as you except they are on a power trip.
 
I might be partial in my answer but here goes.
My son is a LEO in NJ and when studying for his sergeants test he showed me the book on case law he had to know. It was more then a attorney need for his bar exam. He is now a lieutenant and I have asked him about some of the knives I carry and would there be a problem if stopped. The first question he had is "what reason do you have for carring this knife". I told him all the things I use if for daily. (Small Sebenza)
If you are in a bar and have a tactical folder in your pocket you most likely don't have a good reason for having it there with you. A SAK or another small pocket knife would not likely be questioned. Use your head where you carry and most of all don't have a attitude. Just like you they have good and bad days. Even if their attitude is not what you think is proper don't be a wise guy with them. You Will Not Win.
As mentioned above they all don't know all the laws and can make a wrong call. Unlike a lawyer they have to make a decision right away and don't have the opportunity to check case law at their desk before taking action. What one LEO tells you is not always fact. Check you local laws and use you head. This is just my opinion.
 
Most police do not know actual knife carry laws from my personal discussions I have had with them. If you are doing something questionable and get stopped carrying a blade you got troubles. If you stay out of trouble and don't hassel anyone you have nothing to worry about.
 
rpttrsn said:
My son is a LEO in NJ and when studying for his sergeants test he showed me the book on case law he had to know. It was more then a attorney need for his bar exam.
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Really? So Lawyers who go to school full time for three years and then usually spend an entire summer after that in an intensive course learning applicable case law for the states they want to take the bar in know less of the law than any NJ police Sergeant? I call shenanigans. Did he have to learn some relevant case law, no question. But more than an attorney, no way.
 
cmdionne said:
Really? So Lawyers who go to school full time for three years and then usually spend an entire summer after that in an intensive course learning applicable case law for the states they want to take the bar in know less of the law than any NJ police Sergeant? I call shenanigans. Did he have to learn some relevant case law, no question. But more than an attorney, no way.
Click to expand...

Big +1
 
cmdionne said:
Really? So Lawyers who go to school full time for three years and then usually spend an entire summer after that in an intensive course learning applicable case law for the states they want to take the bar in know less of the law than any NJ police Sergeant? I call shenanigans. Did he have to learn some relevant case law, no question. But more than an attorney, no way.
Click to expand...

I think you are taking this thread off on a tangent and hitting only one point of rpttrsn's post. It could have been a slight exaggeration, so don't sound so hot headed about it. The decisions officers make in split seconds, attorneys get to dissect and analyze for months or even years in some cases. For the most part LEO's learn the exact same material, the only real difference is the information an officer learns is more about enforcement while attorney's have to learn a more broad field.

As far as the OP's post, everything depends on intent, the area you are in, time of day, etc... on how an officer is going to react with you. If you are walking down the street at sunny 3 pm and well dressed, there isn't much chance of you getting stopped and questioned. However, if you are "lurking" around at 11 pm in a business district, you might be stopped and questioned and then "Terry Frisked" for officer safety. At which time the knife would/could be considered a weapon because of location/time of day/situation. That is when the legality of the blade length, assisted, manual, auto, etc.. would come to play.

I hope this helps, J.
 
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