WA Assisted-Opener Legality

[Jd4003]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me about the legal status of assisted-opening knives in Washington State. I have read the state laws regarding illegal knives and weapons, but it's not very clear. Also, if a pocket clip is showing, does that classify it as openly carried? Thanks!

 

[KennyB]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me about the legal status of assisted-opening knives in Washington State. I have read the state laws regarding illegal knives and weapons, but it's not very clear. Also, if a pocket clip is showing, does that classify it as openly carried? Thanks!

RCW 9.41.250
Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.


(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;

(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or

(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm,

is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to:

(a) The possession of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer while the officer:

(i) Is on official duty; or

(ii) Is transporting the knife to or from the place where the knife is stored when the officer is not on official duty; or

Yeah, I've never been quite clear on this either, because according to that definition basically any knife that's not a slip-joint or a fixed blade counts as a "dangerous weapon". From what I've heard though, the language is simply broad in an attempt to cover any technical things that would exclude a switch blade.

The part about it that is more confusing is that I've been told by Washington State LEOs that various liner lock knives aren't covered under that, and that you can indeed own whatever kind of knife you want in your home "except for a switch blade".

Of course, this is state law. Seattle knife laws are more strict, and I'm sure there are other cities where they're worse as well.

Not sure what to tell you. I've been told by LEO that I can go ahead and carry my Benchmde AXIS lock and I probably won't get in trouble, but I still have my questions about it.

Of course I live on the East side, so I'm not sure how the cops on the West side feel about that.