Wisconsin knife laws

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trucker1964

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Mar 22, 2008
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Hi sorry if this is the wrong forum but I posted it in the knife laws forum and no one is answering. thanks.:)

Hi I live in Southern California. I want to give my brother who lives in Wisconsin a pocket knife for his birthday. I want to give him either a ZT0300 or a Spyderco Manix. Are assisted openers legal to carry in Wisconsin?

How about laws about length, are these knives too long for Wisconsin?

I don't want to ask him or I might tip him off. I really want to give him the ZT300 but I don't want him to get in any trouble. I also have a foliage green Manix. What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.
 
"941.24 Possession of switchblade knife. (1) Whoever
manufactures, sells or offers to sell, transports, purchases, possesses
or goes armed with any knife having a blade which opens
by pressing a button, spring or other device in the handle or by
gravity or by a thrust or movement is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) Within 30 days after April 16, 1959, such knives shall be
surrendered to any peace officer.
History: 1977 c. 173."

Love how these laws are so hard to interpret :(
 
So according to that page you gave me I would be alright giving him the Manix? I think the ZT0300 would definitely be considered flickable?

I actually carry my Manix more than my ZT but I think he would consider the ZT really cool.

Anyone have specific info on the assisted openers in Wisconsin? do stores sell them there? Thanks.
 
I live in WI, i own and carry AOs. To my knowledge, they are perfectly legal.
 
The first few words in the law are what I think is key,(concealed carry of "dangerous weapons).
If it is carried in a pouch there may be nothing they can do. They may harrass you though, if you get a cop in a bad mood.
I live in Mi and have asked several cops about what they would do if they found someone carrrying a knife over 3" and was told by every one that they would confiscate it. The interesting thing is that our knife law clearly states in the first sentence that they are only unlawful if, "Carried with unlawful intent".
It's pretty bad when the police themselves don't know the law. Especially when it could potentially cost you alotta money, for the knife, a lawyer, etc.
 
I know of several large sporting good shops(Gander Mountain etc.) that
sell all the Kershaw AO knives. Don't think they would if illegal.
 
Thanks very much you guys! Looks like I can give him either one. Now how to decide which one he would like best. Thank you very much.
 
sc1966 said:
I know of several large sporting good shops(Gander Mountain etc.) that
sell all the Kershaw AO knives. Don't think they would if illegal.
Click to expand...

Fleet Farm also sells Gerber assisted openers. I agree that the law leaves much up to the interpretation. I have a friend who is interning in one of our more liberal cities and one of the officers he road along with said it is left vague for a reason. They pulled over a guy for speeding who had a long record and found a plain old box cutter on him and asked him what he had it for and he said "protection". The officer told my friend that regardless of the guy's record, saying protection implied that he intended to use it as a weapon. He said that if the guy hadn't had a record and said that he used it to cut open boxes, that it wouldn't have been an issue at all. So essentially, saying your pocket knife is for self defense would make it an unlawful carry in that area. Keep in mind that this city also makes possesion of weed a civil infraction (punishment is a small fine) not a "crime" and handgun sales are illegal within city limits. I'm sure you Wisconsinites know which city I am refering to. I imagine that if your brother is a law abider he shouldn't have any problems.
 
Hey thanks Garret. He is a very clean cut economist. I can't imagine the police harassing him but I worry about the way they may perceive the ZT0300. I'm in California and being a truck driver I can pretty much carry what ever I want and justify it for my job. I too am clean cut and have had police officers mistake me for an off duty officer.

The ZT0300 is an awesome knife and can take so much abuse but I have just fallen in love with my Manix. It cuts so well. I put a 15 degree primary bevel with a 20 degree micro bevel on it and it will cut and cut forever. very comfortable to carry too. I just cant decide which to give him. The Manix is numbered too. I like the idea that the lock back design of the Manix is supposed to last longer than a frame lock. Oh well I have a couple of weeks to decide.

By the way he lives in a town called River Falls. I think it's a college town. Officers there might be more sensitive to a big black combat knife. I wish I could ask him which he likes better.
 
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