Using a Pocket Clip: Concealed or Open?

[Nikkogi]

Hey guys, for some time I have always wondered about this. When you are carrying a knife clipped to your pocket is it concealed or not? Certain knives like SOG have the bayonet style clips that look like a pen whereas the first gen Paramilitary has a clip that makes the knife stick out of your pocket...

Thank you

 

[powernoodle]

I don't think there is a single right or wrong answer to that. Absent a specific statute or case law, it is subject to the vagaries of what a police officer, prosecutor and judge subjectively consider to be concealed or not concealed.

This is not legal advice. :thumbup:

 

[Nikkogi]

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[turk.919]

I have had a mall security guard stop my family and I while shopping, physically pull me to the side, and say "This Is a no concealed weapons mall" I abruptly told him It was not concealed as he saw It from across the hall, then preceded to walk off.

He was fired 2 weeks later for complaints to the mall manager.... my aunt who was with us.

So, IMO, If you can see the clip It's not "Concealed", because... well... you can SEE It!

 

[TD22057]

Here in CA, folders need to be concealed and fixed blades need to be carried openly. I have a feeling it would go something like this:

Officer sees the pocket clip and decides to do something about it. If it's a folder, then you're busted because it has to be concealed and since he saw it, it obviously wasn't. If it's a fixed blade, then your busted because clearly you were trying to conceal it and the officer spotted it with his superior skills of observation.

Of course I might just be a pessimist...

 

[MORIMOTOM]

if a recognizable portion of any item is visible, it is not concealed.

knives with clips are so commonplace now that it if open carry is illegal, the visible clip provides reasonable suspicion to detain.

consider a firearm in a holster. the holster will obviously cover some portion of the firearm, but it is obvious it is a firearm.