What is a safe length to carry in the great republic of MD

[silenthunterstudios]

My new EDC is my SOG Blink, so I don't have much worry of being reprimanded for having a big knife. On the other hand, sometimes I carry my knives in a belt sheath, like my Endura or my Voyager medium. I also have a Buck Strider Tarani police folder, that I carry sometimes in a belt sheath. My old EDC was a Spyderco Delica and an old CRKT M16, sans flipper. Would I be thrown in the can for any of these folders? What is the proper length in MD DE PA WV NJ and VA? In the winter, I may have up to five folders in my coat, pants and in a belt sheath. Also, I sometimes carry a small fixed blade, for instance during bad snowstorms if I have to go out for something. Am I just asking for trouble? Thanks for the insight.

 

[Hesparus]

Maryland doesn't specify blade length for concealed folders or fixed blades. www.thehighroad.com suggests that if it's not intended as a weapon you should be okay.
Delaware seems to be okay with open carry of any size fixed blade or folder (but I wouldn't recomend it). For concealed carry they have a limit if 3" on a folder and they don't seem to allow concealment of fixed blades.
The Pensylvania law prohibits the posession or carry of "offensive weapons", which it defines as switchblades. It says nothing about the carry of other folding knives or fixed blade knives.
West Virginia prohibits the concealment of anything over 3.5" in blade. This goes for folders and fixed blades.
The Law in New Jersey seems a little bit sketchy. It doesn't seem to prohibit a small, single edged fixed blade because it does not fall under "daggers, dirks, stilettos..." but I wouldn't push your luck. The law doesn't say anything at all about normal folders. This might mean they're okay but, again, I wouldn't push your luck with something on the bigger side.
Virginia seems to be okay for all of your needs. There you can even carry a <3" pocket knife as a student in public schools. For that reason I would bet that they are knife-friendly.
I got this information from skimming the virginia sections at http://www.packing.org , http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm , and http://www.thehighroad.org/library/blades/knifelaws.html . All excellent sites that I recommend looking at.

- Chris

 

[FullerH]

When looking into Virginia laws concerning knife carry, one must look beyond the Commonwealth code and check out the laws of local jurisdictions. Richmond, I understand, strictly enforces a ban on anything with a blade over 3" while my county, Arlington, does not seem to worry about blade length.

 

[TomW]

People, please do yourselves a favor and do not ask these questions. You might be getting hearsay answers.
It's much smarter to use your computer look up your local statutes and get the CORRECT answer to your questions. Take no chances. Know your local laws for certain. Print it out and keep it in your glove compartment.
I seem to remember link to a site that had the urls of all the states knife laws.
Anybody have it?