The Illegal Carry of SOME Becker Knives

[bush-haus]

So, I was talking to my brother today who is a Police Officer, and although I have thought about it before, it seemed to strike a cord more today than usual. In the state of Texas, we can't carry a fixed blade longer than 5.5 inches. So... when I take my BK9 out of the house, I am technically carrying an illegal knife. That pretty much covers half of the Becker line-up.

That doesn't necessarily mean an officer will immediately write a ticket, especially if it's in a camping pack (which they will have to dig into to find the knife in the event I am pulled over), but they will certainly find it easier when I am in the act of using it in a park or on a plot of land--Texas Parks and Wildlife have a lot of authority! I would imagine for most officers, camping and hiking aren't exactly aggressive actions therefore don't warrant taking action on illegal knives. Some, however, may not concern themselves with the difference.

Are your laws as strict? If so, do you ever worry about this? Other than just keeping it in the pack unless using it, how do you mitigate the risk?

 

[NCSlice]

I'm sure there will be may definitive answers but I'm not sure what your describing is "carrying"

I think "carrying" means having it on your person such as a belt when going out in public i.e. the store. Using it camping isn't "carrying"

From the way I read the post, it sounds like it's illegal to own and I don't think that was the intent of the post.

 

[bush-haus]

I'm sure there will be may definitive answers but I'm not sure what your describing is "carrying"

I think "carrying" means having it on your person such as a belt when going out in public i.e. the store. Using it camping isn't "carrying"

From the way I read the post, it sounds like it's illegal to own and I don't think that was the intent of the post.

I disagree, if you are using it while camping, then you are in fact "carrying it". Again, the laws may be different from state to state, but in Texas, I can't be in possession of a knife, whether on my belt, in my bag, or in my hand.

 

[CoolBreeze135]

As far as I know, the laws for knife carry in most states pertain to public settings, and not your vehicle, your campsite, hiking in the woods, etc...

Many states even have specific exceptions for hunting and fishing.

 

[NJBillK]

NJ has peculiar knife laws, if the knife is "Justifiable" it is deemed legal.
This puts the judgement in the Officers hands. Though, I don't necessarily have to be that concerned if I have a larger knife strapped to/in my pack.

 

[bush-haus]

As far as I know, the laws for knife carry in most states pertain to public settings, and not your vehicle, your campsite, hiking in the woods, etc...

Many states even have specific exceptions for hunting and fishing.

In my state, you are only safe if the knife is less than 5.5 inches, and if greater, it is kept in your house or a motorhome that is designated as a permanent home.... that is if I am reading the penal code correctly. I have found no exceptions in the penal code for "hunting, fishing, chopping trees, or fondling a Becker Bk9 by a campfire."

 

[redbull]

In Canada, I could walk down the street with a machete and a katana, but no switchblades. All knives (except switchblades, which must have a button on the handle, by definition) are legal. Weapons are not legal.

Officer: Why are you carrying a scimitar?
Me: I have an apple in my pack.

All nice and legal. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Canada

 

[bush-haus]

NJ has peculiar knife laws, if the knife is "Justifiable" it is deemed legal.
This puts the judgement in the Officers hands. Though, I don't necessarily have to be that concerned if I have a larger knife strapped to/in my pack.

Hey Bill! It seems as though Texas didn't quite think it through with as much logic! There's lots of brush clearin', tree cuttin', and camp fire makin' down here!

 

[NJBillK]

I would like to think that there is a loophole. Probably something that has to do with land clearing, farming, or processing of game.

 

[bush-haus]

I would like to think that there is a loophole. Probably something that has to do with land clearing, farming, or processing of game.

Potentially a loophole, and I certainly am no lawyer, but I just read most of our state penal code pertaining to "weapons" and it mentions no such loop hole.

 

[NJBillK]

Found it.
The law that you read is likely 46.02, the one that states the blade size and what is legal/illegal. This speaks to specifics.
PENAL CODE

TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS

CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS

Sec. 46.15 (b)
b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or as a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) is traveling;
(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity;
Source:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm
--------
You're good.

 

[bush-haus]

Found it.
The law that you read is likely 46.02, the one that states the blade size and what is legal/illegal. This speaks to specifics.
PENAL CODE

TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS

CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS

Sec. 46.15 (b)
b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:
(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or as a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) is traveling;
(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity;
Source:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm
--------
You're good.

Well Shit Bill! There you go readin' again and showing me up. Thanks for seeing that, it's all the way down the bottom of that section.

Thanks folks, nothing to see here !!

 

[NJBillK]

Not showing you up, just helping another Beckerhead out.

 

[bush-haus]

Not showing you up, just helping another Beckerhead out.

no no, the information was greatly appreciated. I encourage all to read their own penal code for information such as this. Bill, you had a great idea as well to print off this section if one exists in your own states so that if encountered while doing your thing in the woods, you have information to back you up. Can't be too careful these days.

oh, and I stand corrected to those of you mentioning this in earlier posts.

 

[NCSlice]

Any legal weapon is legal to be open carried in NC as long as it's not intended to terrorize the public.

http://www.knifeup.com/north-carolina-knife-laws/

Even swords, axes, etc...

Concealed is a different story and a bit open to interpretation. "Not immediately accessible" such as in a pack or in the back seat. So, I assume, a BK9 inside waist under the shirt is illegal, but outside on the belt is OK anywhere except a parade, school, or place of business where it's posted as not permitted or the person has been asked to not have it

 

[Nfd538]

NJ has peculiar knife laws, if the knife is "Justifiable" it is deemed legal.
This puts the judgement in the Officers hands. Though, I don't necessarily have to be that concerned if I have a larger knife strapped to/in my pack.

Agreed. I was out on a hike with my boys yesterday and "carried" my Carothers LC on my belt. I would never carry that knife around town though I'd love to.

 

[NixKustoms]

In Seattle all fixed blade carry is a felony unless it's directly being used at work for work. As far as I know Seattle is the only city in WA that has that stupid law. So, with that said, I can carry any large BK open, and conceal anything under 4".

 

[Chameleonbear]

I carry a BK-11 in court...

 

[MKabar]

All knives here in Czech are legal. No problem what so ever. I can carry even BK9+20+21 all together with me anywhere I go in Czech. Even swords are no problem here. My friends from long sword fence club carry even 130-140 cm swords openly on the back, when they go on training by foot and no problem with that. But guns must be carry concealed. It´s in the gun law here. Also no problem with that, t-shirt over the gun will make it legal to carry and I am not worried about some gun printing. No one will notice (those who will see it carry too ). Czech is the most armed country in Europe with second best guns law on the world after some states from USA (next year lasers will be finally legal, only supresors and expansive ammo still missing, but everything semiauto from 22 to 50 BMG is no problem).

 

[TBL]

In Canada, I could walk down the street with a machete and a katana, but no switchblades. All knives (except switchblades, which must have a button on the handle, by definition) are legal. Weapons are not legal.

Officer: Why are you carrying a scimitar?
Me: I have an apple in my pack.

All nice and legal. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Canada

This, because knives are recognised as tools. However it is always up to the discretion of the officer, they can always ask you to put it away or confiscate and tell you to pick it up at the station. I belt carry some rather large knives in public and have never had any problems. But I don't walk down the street with a sword I've actually started to slim down my EDC. I think I'm getting old....