What to Say to the Police?

the useless atlas said:
Usually they ask what I'm doing with the knife, or something along the lines of that
usually ill answer one of two things, if the cop is being a dick, ill usually say something like
"Well officer was mugged a few years ago, and since you guys never showed, and even though I've gone through all the legal loopholes you guys wont grant me my license to carry permit."
If the cops being a cool guy like they usually are I'll just tell them because its within my legal right, and that although i know they are here to protect me, there isn't enough of them to go around, therefore I've taken it upon myself to defend myself, after all the police aren't there to prevent crime, they're there to clean up after it."
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I see. I am surprised that in either case you openly tell them it is for self-defense. It has been my observation that for whatever reason police don't like that answer. I was listening to this younger kid who was also from CA who was complaining that the police took away his crowbar (no ticket or arrest in this case) because he answered that it was for protection against dogs. This kid had been bitten the previous week by a pitbull. But they took his crowbar anyway because it showed intent to use it as a weapon.

I suppose (this is just me speculating now) one reason they let you go is unlike crowbars ("club" weapon under CA law), an open-carried fixed blade is clearly established as legal per statute. This is as opposed to other laws and jurisdictions where the specific statute in question carries some kind of "intent" language. Either way, the police are obligated to investigate because it's their job to look into things that may not be crimes, but possibly could be cause for concern. They don't usually prevent crime, but they can try.
 
TOM1960 said:
If you can openly carry a large fixed blade like the Cold Steel Tanto in your jurisdiction 24/7, you are one lucky individual, indeed. Where I live, you would be locked up and telling your story to the judge the next morning. Massachusetts provides for open carry of large knives for specific purposes, such as fishing, hunting, camping, cooking, etc. I wouldn't want to get caught carrying your Tanto in Boston, that's for sure.

That said, do you mind if I ask if you are a woman, since you mentioned an EDC bag. If you are, in fact, a woman and carry a handbag, there are several models available which have a hidden compartment right in the middle of the bag. My girlfriend has one and uses it to carry her (unlicensed) pepper spray. Yes, you need a Firearms Identification Card (FID) or a License To Carry Firearms (LTC) in Massachusetts to possess/carry pepper spray. She could easily carry a large FB or folder in this space as well. There are briefcases and belt-packs available for men that accomplish the same purpose. The only reason (besides not attracting LEO attention) that I choose to carry completely concealed is that a potential attacker will not realize that I am armed until it is too late. I have never been asked to leave any establishment due to open carry as well. Out of sight, out of mind is the way I like it.
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you can open carry a sword, in my state :D i'm sure it would cause problems because, unfortunately, ALOT of cops overstep their authority. detention requires "reasonable suspicion" that you have committed, are committing, or are about to committ a crime. quite frankly i don't feel simply carrying a sword makes it easy to articulate the basis of such "reasonable suspicion".

i actually had this happen. i made a consentual contact and spoke with the man, never did i detain him against his will. when asked later, my LT. said i was correct, i had NO RS to detain.
 
here you can carry a blade up to the length pf 21 inches, then its tecnically a sword, which im sue you can also carry, but there is no need for a blde longr that 18-20 inches, i have been asked to surrender the knife, which then i ask for a receipt, if they refue then i say its considered stealing and i am within my full right to report them, and have them arrested, that usually makes them give it right back, they did take me to the station onc, but i was let go about 5 minutes later when the co said it was legal o carry
 
I see this is an old thread but I am a new forum member checking out things here. To answer the question to the thread topic, "what to say to the police?", I would have to use the answer that a friend uses. When asked why he open carries his pistol, he replies, "For any and all legal purposes." I think this can apply to being questioned as to why a person is carrying a pocket knife.
Now back to digging around the forum...
 
I usually just tell the cop that I don't have to answer any questions unless I'm being detained.

One time I was walking my dog and I had my Ontario SP1 on my belt and the police drove up on me and noticed I was open carrying a fixed blade and he stopped and starting asking questions about it and I simply told him that I don't have to answer any questions if I am not being detained.
 
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nolaradio said:
I see this is an old thread but I am a new forum member checking out things here. To answer the question to the thread topic, "what to say to the police?", I would have to use the answer that a friend uses. When asked why he open carries his pistol, he replies, "For any and all legal purposes." I think this can apply to being questioned as to why a person is carrying a pocket knife.
Now back to digging around the forum...
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It's generally considered poor form to resurrect a long finished discussion, as most posters involved, especially the original poster (OP) have long moved on. That's why we call it "thread necromancy." I'm seeing a lot of it this past month by new accounts and I really want people to stop doing it. Just make a new thread.
 
Was working up a scathing response to the remarks on this tread, then looked at the date. Now I'm just going to comment that I trust the "boys in blue/green" less than any other member of society and will continue to tell them only what I deem necessary. I am a free man, no matter what they say or how they say it. Freedom is a state of mind as much as it is a state of being.
 
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

That's Article II in the Bill of Rights (USA). SCOTUS has repeatedly upheld that "arms" includes knives.

Automatics are lawful in these states (OR / WA), and I have concealed carry permits for both states, reciprocal in a half-dozen others, also I have a US Dept. of Defense, Armed Forces ID. I carry a .357 magnum most of the time, some sort of long-gun in the truck, I have an Uzi Carbine (Mod. 45) that I can stow in the saddle bags of the Harley. It's ALL legal.

What burns my butt is that it's unlawful, despite these permits, to stow a knife in a boot, or hang one around one's neck. Even a folder -- 3" blade or longer -- must be clipped "visibly" in the pocket. Fixed blade must be worn on the belt. Packing a large fixed blade in a briefcase, pack, book bag, laptop bag can get you into trouble.

I have carry permits. US Constitution gives me the "right to keep and bear" -- Just don't be slipping that shiv in your boot.
 
If I may: I don't have any strong feelings towards police officers. I've had good experiences and bad, though I've never been arrested. I tend to consider police officers as just being people doing their job most of the time. I tend to carry a copy of the laws and a statement from the Local Sheriff saying my knives are legal. I also keep my nose clean, stay in the good part of town, dress nicely, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to myself. When dealing with police, I'm polite, I think about what I'm going to say, and I make sure to inform them of the papers I have. It's worked for me so far!
 
Raylas said:
If I may: I don't have any strong feelings towards police officers. I've had good experiences and bad, though I've never been arrested. I tend to consider police officers as just being people doing their job most of the time. I tend to carry a copy of the laws and a statement from the Local Sheriff saying my knives are legal. I also keep my nose clean, stay in the good part of town, dress nicely, and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to myself. When dealing with police, I'm polite, I think about what I'm going to say, and I make sure to inform them of the papers I have. It's worked for me so far!
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Sounds like a very good, well thought-out policy you have. :thumbup:
 
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