Why do they not sell knives to minors?

I

initb2009

Joined
Jul 7, 2009
Messages
51
Knives are tools,not weapons but people say that folding knives and fixed blades are sold to people over 18 because minors can use them as weapons or get seriously injured without proper handling of sharp blades but cant anything hurt you or be used as a weapon? They don't restrict kitchen knife sales,ultilty kinves a.k.a razor knives,exacto knives,multi-tools with knives in them,or uttility knives that fold like pocket knives in my state (Virginia) but they restrict any knife sold in the sporting goods section in my state to only people 18 or older.How can they sell other dangerous items to kids but restirct folding knives,fixed blades,and fishing knives sales to minors just because they are in th sporting goods department.Hell,kids can even buy a meat cleaver without being asked for ID and can buy a fillet knife thats in the kitchen section but not a fillet knife in the sporting goods section.Why is this? and why are laws so loosely flawed? These useless knife laws are made with good intentions but are so loosely flawed that a very dull,underage person can figure out how to buy a more deadly weapon without being asked for ID.WTF?
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of knife laws. If it's any consolation, gun laws are even worse.

Laws are written by politicians, most of whom have little or no first-hand experience with owning or using knives, guns, or fishing rods, for that matter. (They could probably tell you more than you'd ever want to know about golf clubs, though).

No, you're right, it doesn't make sense. An awful lot of laws about an awful lot of things don't make sense. Get involved with groups that are working to change the laws so that they do make sense. There are quite a few out there.
 
Yeah but what I'm saying is every state needs to life the age restrictions on knives because knives strongly benifit kids in so many ways.They learn math,chemistry,gemoetry, and how to do various specialty crafts that a large percentage of the population has know idea that such crafts exist as their expierence with knives heightens.
 
Again, I agree, but as I said, in order to change the laws, you need to change politicians' minds. This is not easily accomplished.

It doesn't help that the media only portrays these things as weapons, either. It doesn't help that America is becoming increasingly urban, and most city-dwellers are scared to death of knives even in an adult's hands.

As I said before, we all have our work cut out for us on a lot of these issues (and the problems don't all go away once you turn 21). Work to promote responsible knife ownership and use. Try to educate those you come in contact with about the benefits of knife ownership. Get associated with some of the groups that lobby politicians to promote knife ownership. I'm not saying there are any easy answers, but there are things you can do.
 
Just a side note here: Most states DO NOT have a legally mandated restriction on selling knives to minors, but you will find stores restricting sales anyway. This is the store's personal choice so as to avoid being sued in the event of an injury, and I would say it is the majority. Some stores will not sell power tools to minors, or multitools or kitchen knives. It is up to the store to restrict sales like this, and again it is for liability rather than any sort of requirement. The only thing more irritating that bad criminal laws in the US is the numerous BS rules we have as the result of being a sue-happy country.

I've noted that many stores will lie to the minor customers and say "it's the law" when in that state there is no such law. They do this to deflect the blame so the customer will not try to argue.

Here is an example: In your home of Virginia, the code § 18.2-309 does indeed restrict sale to minors, but it only restricts dirks, switchblades and bowie knives, not standard folders. This is why it is perfectly legal for a father to give his son a folder after buying it.

I'm not saying is a good idea to sell to all minors unrestricted; you have to exercise some common sense. Some kids really should not have knives, and you probably can think of a few in you neighborhood off the top of your head.
 
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(IIRC) FL's statute says that you can NOT give any knife, other than a pocket knife, to someone under 18 w/o that person's parent's consent.

personally, i do NOT feel there should be an exception for the "pocket knife". i feel it should be SOLEY up to a minors parent whether or not they have ANY knife. there's too much potential for abuse. i'm not saying children shouldn't have knives, i'm saying only that particular kids parent knows whether or not he/she should.
 
Samael said:
Again, I agree, but as I said, in order to change the laws, you need to change politicians' minds. This is not easily accomplished.
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If enough people start bitching about it the laws will change. That's how this whole crap with selling to minors was started; concerned mothers bitched about their kids being unsafe because the other boys all had knives and the mothers of the kids all went and crybabied about it and got things banned and made it so that you need to check every knife buyers drivers liscense. The point is if they get enough complaints from enough they'll go you way because they want to get re-elected.
 
All the stores I've ever been to in Nevada have the 18 y/o restriction, including selling a golf tool at Walmart that had a small knife blade in it.
 
joe-bob said:
Depends on where you live. Minors can buy knives in Texas.
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In the state I grew up in you only had to be 16. I think you could carry one legaly even if you were younger too, just not purchase them.

If your parents are cool with it, you could just order online -it is usualy cheaper anyway.
 
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