Washington DC Knife Law..Fixed Blades & Bars?

S

Serrinon

Joined
Aug 19, 2007
Messages
233
Hello,

So I've searched the forumand some other places and read over the DC knife laws, and I can't quite figure out what the law says about fixed blades under 3" and being in places that serve alcohol. In my read it says nothing, which means you're fine with a fixed blade of less than 3" in a bar.

But in some other threads people mentioned, don't bring a fixed blade, and I haven't heard any mention of going to places that serve alcohol. The reason I'm asking about that, is that other states seem to have that restriction, as well as schools etc...

This was a useful thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424571&highlight=washington

Thank you!
 
Update: Spoke with the PD in DC and they confirmed. You can have a folder but NOT a Fixed blade. The folder must be 3" or less, you can conceal or not, your choice. No limits on taking it to a bar or other place. Not sure about schools though, forgot to ask, but since I won't be going in any, it slipped my mind.
 
Thats irritating, because I talked to the Capitol Police and they said that there was no blade length limit in a folder if you don't carry it with the intent of causing serious bodily injury to another.
 
AliasNeo said:
Thats irritating, because I talked to the Capitol Police and they said that there was no blade length limit in a folder if you don't carry it with the intent of causing serious bodily injury to another.
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The problem for me is the word "intent." Intent is impossible to prove. I would stick to 3" or less until you get a solid, "Yes you have the right to carry your 5" tactical folder" from an authoritative source. As for schools, I would say leave your knives at home no matter what the law says.
 
District of Columbia - § 22-4514.

(b) No person shall within the District of Columbia possess, with intent to use unlawfully against another, an imitation pistol, or a dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, or other dangerous weapon.

I lived in DC for about 6 months last year, and routinely carried a yellow-handled Spyderco Pacific Salt (3.75" blade.) Cops asked to see it on 3 occasions, but none tried to take it or gave me any grief about carrying it.
 
CubistHamster said:
District of Columbia - § 22-4514.

(b) No person shall within the District of Columbia possess, with intent to use unlawfully against another, an imitation pistol, or a dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, or other dangerous weapon.

I lived in DC for about 6 months last year, and routinely carried a yellow-handled Spyderco Pacific Salt (3.75" blade.) Cops asked to see it on 3 occasions, but none tried to take it or gave me any grief about carrying it.
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You got stopped and inspected by the cops 3 times in 6 months? After the first LEO encounter, I would have carried the knife deep in my pocket, totally concealed. Most likely, you had your knife clipped to your pocket and the LEOs saw the clip. Practice good concealment and you will avoid 99.999% of these encounters.
 
TOM1960 said:
Most likely, you had your knife clipped to your pocket and the LEOs saw the clip.
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Very true. That being said, I like carrying my knife clipped to my pocket, and I believe that the way the law is written, there is no legal limit on length, as long you're not carrying the knife "with intent to use unlawfully against another."

I will not walk on eggshells because some people are afraid of knives, and/or ignorant of the laws regarding them, and I'm fully prepared to defend that in court, if need be.

I'd also like two point out that when I was stopped by both Capitol and Metro Police, they just wanted to see the knife out of curiosity. The Metro guy liked it enough that he asked me where I got it, and said he might pick one up.
 
I can vouch for CubistHamster that in DC, a LEO encountering your knife is more likely than most other places just because the main areas have a very high security presence. But they don't necessary encounter and question you because they want to arrest you. Asking a person about a knife in their pocket isn't meant to be accusatory, they're just checking it out and probably implying "I know you've got a blade, so behave yourself with it." I've been asked about my wooden cane a few times too, but the LEO or guard usually just wants to know what kind of wood and how I made it. Maybe they think I'm hiding something in it, but are reassured when they touch it or talk to me, who knows.

BTW, you guys know this thread is 3 years old right?
 
CubistHamster said:
Very true. That being said, I like carrying my knife clipped to my pocket, and I believe that the way the law is written, there is no legal limit on length, as long you're not carrying the knife "with intent to use unlawfully against another."

I will not walk on eggshells because some people are afraid of knives, and/or ignorant of the laws regarding them, and I'm fully prepared to defend that in court, if need be.

I'd also like two point out that when I was stopped by both Capitol and Metro Police, they just wanted to see the knife out of curiosity. The Metro guy liked it enough that he asked me where I got it, and said he might pick one up.
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Perhaps you would win in court, but your arrest would remain on the books forever. You would have a permanent "rap sheet" that would have to be disclosed if you ever undergo a security clearance background check for employment or other reasons in the future. Your name, address and age would appear in the newspapers, since arrests are public records. Don't know about DC, but some NH departments are publishing the booking mugshots and data from the arrest sheets on the Internet for the whole world to see. You could lose your job if your boss gets word of the arrest and you will definitely be out a lot of money in legal fees. There would also be much embarrassment for yourself and your family. All it would take is one over-zealous rookie LEO trying to make a name for himself or herself. Showing off has its price and it is very high indeed.
 
TOM1960 said:
Showing off has its price and it is very high indeed.
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Showing off has nothing to do with it. I carry my knife with the clip exposed because I find it easier to access and harder to lose than with other carry methods.

Given that in DC this is a legal method of carry, I don't think we do ourselves any favors by being afraid to act within the clearly delineated boundaries of the law. People who do not exercise their rights tend to lose them.

There would also be much embarrassment for yourself and your family.
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I would never be embarrassed to stand up for my legal rights in court.
 
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