Virginia, Washington DC, & Maryland laws?

Joined
Jul 10, 2000
Messages
13
Guys & ladies, question is are there any specific laws regarding the DC, VA, MD area. Specifically, is there a max blade size, and restrictions on how to carry, i.e. carrying inside the waist band or pocket. I have just ordered a BM710HS, and a BM705BT and don't feel like getting into trouble with the law. Thanks.
 
Cant be double edged, fixed baldes I beleave can be worn inthe open. folders I think in pocket 3" blade, No limit on folder worn on the belt in open view. Hope this helps.
 
District of Columbia - 22-3214. (a) No person shall within
the District of Columbia possess any... switchblade
knife...
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Maryland - Article 27, Section 36 (a)...(1) Every person who
shall wear or carry any dirk knife, bowie knife,
switchblade knife, star knife... razor... or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of any kind whatsoever (penknives without switchblades and handguns, excepted) concealed upon or about his person... and every such person who shall wear or carry such weapon... openly with the intent or purpose of injuring any person in any unlawful manner, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor...
(3) In [listed urban] Counties it shall also be unlawful... for any person under 18 years of age to carry any dangerous or deadly weapon, other than a handgun [covered by another section], between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, whether concealed or not, except while on a bona fide hunting trip...
(c) ...a "star knife" is a device used as a throwing weapon, consisting of several sharp or pointed blades arrayed as radially disposed arms about a central disk...
(f) Exceptions. [officials, railway agents, permit holders] (4) Any person who shall carry such weapon as a reasonable
precaution against apprehended danger, but the tribunal... shall have the right to judge the reasonableness of the carrying of any such weapon...
- Article 27, Section 36A (a) No person [except officials] shall carry or possess any rifle, gun, knife, or deadly weapon of any kind on any public school property in this State.
- Article 27, Section 339. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation or the agent of either, whether a licensed dealer or not, to sell, barter, display or offer to sell or barter: (1) Any knife having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle thereof, commonly called "switchblade" knives, or any switchblade penknife operating in a similar manner...
- Article 27, Section 36... Every person who shall wear or carry any dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife, star knife... razor... or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of any kind whatsoever (penknives without switchblades and handguns, excepted) concealed upon or about his person...
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor...
Maryland Case Law:
- "'Gravity knife' constituted a dangerous or deadly weapon." (1964)
- "Pocketknife with the blade already open did not require any time to open the knife, as one would with a penknife, contained all the offensive qualities of a switchblade or gravity knife because it was instantly available for violent use, and was not a penknife within the statutory exception." (1990)
- "On the face of the statute, there is no indication
contradicting the view that a penknife is a penknife whether small or large, whether the blade is closed or open, whether the blade is locked open or unlocked, and whether it is carried concealed or openly." (1991)
- "A folding knife without switchblade but with a locking device... falls within the exception for 'penknives without switchblade" in this section." (1986)
- " A buck [sic] knife (a knife having a blade which folds into the handle and which locks into place when open) carried with the blade open was 'penknife without switchblade' within statutory exception, and this status was not altered by knife's blade-locking device or fact that it was carried with its blade open." (1991)
- "Where defendant's conviction was on the basis that the utility knife was a dangerous and deadly weapon per se, but the Court did not consider defendant's intent, the Court of Appeals reversed the conviction and remanded for a new trial." (1992)
- "Location of the defendant, including whether he or she is in a public place or on private property, is simply one factor for the trier of fact to consider..." (1995)
- "For objects not legislatively classified as dangerous and deadly per se, the State must prove that the object is within the class described as any other dangerous or deadly weapon of any kind." (1992)
- "Where the only evidence presented was that the object appellant was carrying was a knife over three inches long, this evidence was insufficient to meet the statutory requirements of this section." (1992)
------------------------------

Virginia - 18.2-308. Carrying concealed weapons... A. If any
person carries about his person, hidden from common
observation... (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, razor... he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and such weapon shall be forfeited to the Commonwealth... B. This section shall not apply to: 1. Any person while in his own place of abode or the curtilage thereof... 4. Any regularly enrolled member of a weapons collecting organization who is at, or going to or
from, a bona fide weapons exhibition, provided that the weapons are... securely wrapped while being transported.
5. Any person carrying such weapons between his place of abode and a place of purchase or repair, provided the weapons are.. securely wrapped while being transported...
D. Any person may apply in writing... for a two-year permit to carry a specific type of concealed weapon...
- 18.2-309. Furnishing certain weapons to minors.--If any person sell, barter, give or furnish... to any minor a... dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife... such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

The above is taken from, http://www.knife-expert.com


Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------

"only the paranoid will survive"

[This message has been edited by TheMartialWay (edited 07-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by TheMartialWay (edited 07-11-2000).]
 
Thanks for the responses. I also found out that in MD any knife carried on a person is considered a weapon and that unless you are carrying in accordance with your work duties, you are basically at the whim of the officer if you get caught. Also regarding blade length, looks like in VA anything over 3" is a no no. However in MD there is no 3-4"+ restriction.
 
In DC, no blades over 3". In Virginia, the laws vary by county or city jurisdiction. In Richmond, for instance, it is a very rigid 3", while in Arlington, a police officer friend said that the general practise is to lay the blade across the palm of the hand and, if it is longer than the officer's hand is wide, usually 4" or so, you are in trouble. Don't know about Maryland.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
Rats. I suppose this could mean that I can't carry my Kershaw minitask around. The speed safe stuff, according to the Maryland laws, qualifies as a switchblade.

 
I doubt that, Dan, since Chesapeake Knife & Tool in MD carries Kershaw with the torsion opener, yet no real switchblades AT ALL. But, I could be wrong.

Also, when I asked a cop friend of mine if the Bali that I keep in my glove compartment was illegal, he said, "No, but I wouldn't wave it around if I were you." I often carry a fixed blade, concealed. Especially in the late fall-winter-early spring. I never specifically asked him about them, but he knows that I occasionally have one with me at church, where both he and I go.

So, a lot of words that essentially tell you nothing.
redface.gif
Sorry about that.

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iktomi
 
I'm sorry, but I can't take seriously anything so assinine as some of those laws, even if it winds up landing me in jail. I'll still be carrying my Rinaldi Prototype, or my Spydie Moran, or my Cetan, or my... oh well, you get the picture, anywhere where I want. If it has a metal detector, I won't go there, unless it is the airport.

This is not directed at you, Mr. Mattis... just at the firmament in general.

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iktomi
 
It is particularly assinine for cities to prohibit, for street carry, objects that are allowed on an airline under FAA rules! Like a 3.9" folder!

People cross city limits all the time, and can't possibly be expected to know, for instance, that if you get hungry while driving through Federal Way, Washington, you may not take a 3.1" knife into a restaurant that can sell you a glass of wine with your meal.
rolleyes.gif



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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
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