Wisconsin Knife Laws Change Today

I was just thinking to myself "I should start a thread about our knife law change." Looks like you beat me to it. I'll probably be buying far too many autos in the next few months!

Update: The bill is now signed, it should take effect in a few days!
 
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been carrying a lightning OTF all day today....its all I've got, just need to figure out what to buy now:-) Thanks to Knife Rights!!
 
Just found out about this today! Time to start shopping for an auto!
 
Can a 19 year old carry an Auto in Wis? I'm an old guy, but my daughter isn't old enough to get her ccw yet, can she carry an auto knife? Thanks for an update.
 
Clay1 said:
Can a 19 year old carry an Auto in Wis? I'm an old guy, but my daughter isn't old enough to get her ccw yet, can she carry an auto knife? Thanks for an update.
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I am not aware of any age restrictions on knife carry in Wisconsin. Knives in general are prohibited in schools.
 
I really like the part about local government being restricted from enacting stricter than state law. I live across the river in Minnesota. The Twin Cities can get stupid with city ordinances. Glad to see Wisconsin get a win on this.
 
1shot01 said:
I really like the part about local government being restricted from enacting stricter than state law. I live across the river in Minnesota. The Twin Cities can get stupid with city ordinances. Glad to see Wisconsin get a win on this.
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Absolutely agree about the local ordinance part of the law. Before this law was passed there was always a little question about how the many municipality laws worked in my mind. Milwaukee county had a 3" blade restriction as an example, but a CCW holder could legally carry a knife without a blade restriction. I always wondered if I should carry my Benchmade 710, which is my EDC with me in Milwaukee. This new law makes life much simpler.
 
This is great! But scanning the new law quick I saw one thing that needs clarification.

The law on Wisconsin's site now states that ""Notwithstanding s. 939.22 (10), "dangerous weapon" does not include a knife." But looking at that 939.22 (10) part it defines a "dangerous weapon" as:

"Dangerous weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any ligature or other instrumentality used on the throat, neck, nose, or mouth of another person to impede, partially or completely, breathing or circulation of blood; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (1c) (a); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm."

It seems to me that the part I bolded could apply to knives/swords. Does anyone know if there is further clarification as to what that part means? For instance, it seems folding knives and small fixed blades are fine but what if you get stopped with a 12" blade bowie. Could you get in trouble if a cop decides that such a long blade is not a "knife" but is clearly designed as a weapon to harm people?

FYI I don't plan to wear a Crocodile Dundee knife all day out in public but it's nice to know whether or not I could :D
 
This is my interpretation. I'm no expert on law. I would go with intended use. If you carry a knife as a weapon you are asking for trouble. A knife as a tool should be fine.

If you don't have a good reason or are misusing, I could see an officer possibly taking issue with any knife. Knives are tools, use them for what they were designed for and when they are needed. It's not a bad idea to call your local sheriffs office if you have questions.
 
CraneWing said:
This is great! But scanning the new law quick I saw one thing that needs clarification.

The law on Wisconsin's site now states that ""Notwithstanding s. 939.22 (10), "dangerous weapon" does not include a knife." But looking at that 939.22 (10) part it defines a "dangerous weapon" as:

"Dangerous weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any ligature or other instrumentality used on the throat, neck, nose, or mouth of another person to impede, partially or completely, breathing or circulation of blood; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (1c) (a); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm."

It seems to me that the part I bolded could apply to knives/swords. Does anyone know if there is further clarification as to what that part means? For instance, it seems folding knives and small fixed blades are fine but what if you get stopped with a 12" blade bowie. Could you get in trouble if a cop decides that such a long blade is not a "knife" but is clearly designed as a weapon to harm people?

FYI I don't plan to wear a Crocodile Dundee knife all day out in public but it's nice to know whether or not I could :D
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I take the above portion of the law to mean that a knife isn't considered a weapon under the concealed carry law of the state. Before this law was passed you needed to posses a concealed carry permit in order to carry a knife concealed in some municipalities within the state. This law makes carrying a knife NOT tied to the concealed carry law any longer by making it the same as carrying a fork. While a fork isn't considered a weapon, if you want to use the fork as a weapon you will be prosecuted the same as if it were a weapon. It is more about use than the knife itself and how it show be.

You don't need a concealed carry permit to carry a knife since it isn't a weapon. So the law allows those, even without a concealed carry permit, to carry an auto or a manual knife without blade length restriction.

Cover your rear statement: This is just my opinion and I am not giving legal advise.

1shot01, quick comment: in Wisconsin and much of the country it is a reasonable thing for someone to defend their live and the lives of their loved ones. If you can carry a firearm or two or even three concealed in the state with a concealed carry permit and your intent is to use it as a weapon under the right circumstances (you REASONABLY believe that you are in imminent threat of death or great bodily harm), you can also press a blade into the role of a weapon legally under the same dire circumstances. Carrying a knife for this purpose is a good reason, it is moral and it is legal.
 
Clay1 said:
I take the above portion of the law to mean that a knife isn't considered a weapon under the concealed carry law of the state. Before this law was passed you needed to posses a concealed carry permit in order to carry a knife concealed in some municipalities within the state. This law makes carrying a knife NOT tied to the concealed carry law any longer by making it the same as carrying a fork. While a fork isn't considered a weapon, if you want to use the fork as a weapon you will be prosecuted the same as if it were a weapon. It is more about use than the knife itself and how it show be.

You don't need a concealed carry permit to carry a knife since it isn't a weapon. So the law allows those, even without a concealed carry permit, to carry an auto or a manual knife without blade length restriction.

Cover your rear statement: This is just my opinion and I am not giving legal advise.

1shot01, quick comment: in Wisconsin and much of the country it is a reasonable thing for someone to defend their live and the lives of their loved ones. If you can carry a firearm or two or even three concealed in the state with a concealed carry permit and your intent is to use it as a weapon under the right circumstances (you REASONABLY believe that you are in imminent threat of death or great bodily harm), you can also press a blade into the role of a weapon legally under the same dire circumstances. Carrying a knife for this purpose is a good reason, it is moral and it is legal.
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Sory if they came across that way. I'm a strong believer in your right to defend yourself. If your in need of a weapon, keep your mind open. A knife in your pocket could be an excellent choice. But in a pinch almost anything could be used, rock, stapler, and if you have a permit, a gun. Real fights suck, and you have to play for keeps.

Personally I'd rather not EDC a knife that was more weapon than tool. I use knives all the time for boring stuff. I've had to fight for my life twice. Once on the wrong end of a knife. Attention to you surroundings and a cool head are your best defense. I'm lucky to come out almost unscathed in both instances. I will admit I started carrying larger blades then I was used to after that. I also encourage anyone interested in getting a concealed carry permit to do so. It's good to have options.

Sorry, I think I've taken this off topic.
 
Oh lord. I don't know why I bothered to scroll to the comment section on the bottom of the page. It's exactly what you would expect. Maybe even a little less logical.
 
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