VA Carry

Check out this website: http://www.knifeup.com/virginia-knife-laws/

If on school grounds, it had better be under 3" and the carrier better have a prove-able and credible excuse for having it.

Next, whoever the minor is, you do NOT want heat for carrying a bowie "style" knife around unless you are military/police. "Open carry" is defined as visible from at least three sides on a person carrying. Dude, get a folder.

This is all MY personal interpretation and anything you [or anyone reading this for advice], do [or does] is on you. I am no lawyer, nor is this official legal advice. I only live in VA.
 
I'd never take a knife to school, and I have multiple folders. Was just wondering if it would be possible to carry because of the "of like kind" part of the law.
 
I too live in VA, and I'd highly suggest against it unless you were actively in the woods out doing something legitimate. I live in Hampton Roads where we have an active open carry firearms group so it is not unusual to see someone in Walmart with an open carried SIG 220 or the like in a paddle holster. It's not illegal, but it's asking for trouble in my opinion and it's only a matter of time until someone calls 911 and says that there is a guy with a gun in Walmart.

I'm assuming you want some type of "hard use" knife, but there are so many great folders that will cause you much less headache. In my opinion, the less you deal with LEOs the better off you will be. You may be lawful and so forth, but unfortunately you may have to go convince a judge and that isn't going to be a pleasant experience.

Bottom line, there's just not many good reasons to have a K-BAR strapped to your hip in this day and age. If you have a good reason, then I'd make sure you have all your other stuff in order.
 
Also, many local VA jurisdictions have laws restricting length of blade, etc.
Always check the law in your locality or where ever you are traveling.
I have always wondered if State (VA) or Federal law trumps local law
or restrictions? Any replys?
Rich S
 
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Local laws may be more restrictive than state or federal laws but not more lenient. The only way a state law supercedes a more restrictive local law is if there has been a state law passed that specifically prohibits a local law being more restrictive, e.g., the knife pre-emption laws in Georgia a couple of years ago that invalidated all lower level knife laws.
 
Under 18 I can't tell Ya sorry! I can say that knifeup site has some missing info that's important like local laws and folder blade length and autos are not legal at all! Now I open carry some large bowies and other large knives and I live in the middle of the city! I have never had an issue other than a cop say good god man you got a gun you really need a knife that big and laugh and ask to see it! So I would say 18 might be the magic number unless hunting,fishing,hiking,camping. And for the rest of yall if it is a fixed blade don't dare conceal it no matter the size and be polite to the officer if asked about it and cooperate they and you will appriciate it!
 
I would imagine if your tooling around in the woods, foraging, clearing brush or something to that effect you would be perfectly fine, out around in town is another thing, would possibly bring some unnecessary attention to your self. I always carried a big knife as a kid back in the woods around where I lived, of course you didn't have all those panzy, tree hugging, feel gooders around back in the 80's though.:p
 
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