What/how can i carry a balisong?

M

Mallet Man

Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
4
Soon im going to be getting a butterfly knife and i want to know if theres any way i can carry it when im out and about, as in walking in a park or in the city. i know that you can have a common pocket knife under 4 inches but i just can not find an answer on the internet about a balisong knife. The only answer iv found is that you cant bring it to schools (Which is a no brainer really). Is there any way I can go out in public with a butterfly knife in Florida legally? Not just to mess around with but to also use for self defense.

Any answer is appreciated.
 
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I thought that Florida was pretty open on EDC and that you could carry them around. Don't take my word for it, look up Florida switchblade laws. In the USA, switchblades and balis are often deemed the same for whatever reason.
 
Through some more digging online and looking it up like you said I found out they aren't legal with out a license ( at least that's how I interpreted it) but on the bright side I'm Getting a bottle opener or a normal trainer to flip around in public. Thanks for your help m8
 
As far as i know they are legal for open carry but illegal for concealed carry,if you want to carry them concealed then you`ll need a CCW.
Beware though, although this a state law and there is a preemption clause there maybe renegade municipalities
Also the line between open and concealed can be "blurry" ...for example, if you wear your t shirt tacked in and the knife is visible in it`s sheath it`s open carry and OK, if by accident your t shirt gets "untacked" and covers the knife it could be interpreted as concealed carry by an overzealous "public servant"
edit to add...i would not tell a soul these days that one of the reasons that i carry a bali is for self defence...even if it was used as such ....
 
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the issue isn't florida state laws...those are pretty clear and it's a knife friendly state. legal to carry all except ballistics openly. legal to carry all concealed except ballistics and with ccw. i'm paraphrasing, the laws are a bit more complicated than that. go and read them.....never trust advice on an internet forum.

the issue is the numerous county, and city ordinances that make you a criminal or felon every time you cross the territory lines. these are hard to find and almost impossible to determine case laws on easily. i have yet to find good sources of county and city ordinances online that are easy to navigate through. i honestly can't help you...the good news is most cops and deputies aren't aware of the laws either.....that said always follow the laws. never risk becoming a felon and losing rights because it was too much work to read, understand, and follow the laws your self.

you can always contact the local city police and county sheriff office for help on the issue, but make sure you get something official from them so it doesn't become the he said she said routine when they told you it was okay and then deputy arrests you and you have nothing but your word to defend yourself. you can also contact your county commissioners or your city reps for help navigating the layers of rules. it's their job the help you stay within the laws, so go seek help.

lastly do not flip a bali all day long in public anywhere....you are asking for trouble. legal or not isn't the issue.
 
i would imagine since the balisong falls under the weapons category this does aply to it too:
Title XLVI
CRIMES
Chapter 790
WEAPONS AND FIREARMS
View Entire Chapter
790.33 Field of regulation of firearms and ammunition preempted.—
(1) PREEMPTION.—Except as expressly provided by the State Constitution or general law, the Legislature hereby declares that it is occupying the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, storage, and transportation thereof, to the exclusion of all existing and future county, city, town, or municipal ordinances or any administrative regulations or rules adopted by local or state government relating thereto. Any such existing ordinances, rules, or regulations are hereby declared null and void.
Click to expand...
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES...ing=&URL=0700-0799/0790/Sections/0790.33.html
 
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