Knife Laws

[RonJ]

I have a book that covers knife laws in all 50 states. Unfortunately it only covers carry laws.
What about in your home? Can I legally keep automatic knives, switch blades etc. in my house. Of course in my collection I don't any such knives. Just an inquiry.

Also I've noticed that several members carry small automatics like the Kershaw Leek. Would any of you Leo's put the cuffs on someone you caught carrying one? (no other suspicions)

 

[Rastoff]

Law compilation books always seem to miss parts of the law.

You'll have to look up laws in your state. Some items are simply illegal. If that is the case, then it doesn't matter where you're standing. So, if a switch blade is illegal, then it's illegal to have at home.

CA defines a switch blade as one that has continuous pressure on the blade to open it and must have a mechanical "switch" to open it. A blade that is held closed by the same spring used to open it, is legal.

It is my hope that no policeman would arrest a person for carrying a legal tool.

 

[Straightshooter2]

Since July1, 2012, Georgia law states is that you can own any knife you would like as long as you keep it inside your property. You can carry, open or concealed, any knife that is less than 5 inches (blade length). This includes butterfly knives, switchblades, and any other type of knife that is commonly banned in other states. To carry a knife that is larger than 5 inches, you must have a weapons license. That same 2012 state law also preempts local law...

16-11-136. Restrictions on possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of knives

Except for restrictions in courthouses and government buildings, no county, municipality, or consolidated government shall, by rule or ordinance, constrain the possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of a knife more restrictively than the provisions of this part.

However, I would still be careful in Atlanta since the APD has been known to "make it up as they go along."

 

[Marshwheeling]

Just as a point of information, the Leek is "assisted", not an auto. You open it with either the thumb stud or the flipper to about 30° before the spring takes over.

That said, I gather that such a knife is illegal in Wisconsin, treated the same as an auto under the law. At least, that is what the guys in the cigar shop in Hudson say. It limits the selection of Benchmades they can sell.

 

[Mydogmax]

Switchblades are illegal in Minnesota, but you can have 17 rounds in a M&P.

 

[jag312]

In California, no switchblades unless the blade is less than 2 inches. No concealed dirks, daggers, or similar knives that can be used for stabbing. It is okay to walk around with a Civil War cavalry saber hanging from your belt.

 

[steelslaver]

As a knife make it has interested me. There are some archaic laws out there to. Switchblades are interesting. I have a couple that I got as kits and then modified. Some states don't care. Some are idiotic. Even Montana where its easy to get a concealed permit and a loaded gun in your glove compartment isn't even considered concealed, won't allow you to have a switch blade unless your sheriff agrees you are a collector (me he he). In Wa state you can't have a switch blade even if you have a carry permit???? funny. Real funny is I have seen switch blades for sale in gas station displays in WA. Many cops don't even know the local knife laws. Switch blade laws are kind of ridiculous in face of the many excellent assisted openers.

In some states I can have a 10" butcher knife but, not a 4 1/2" hunting knife. DUH.

Funny story, guy goes into a K mart and buys a hunting knife. Sporting good clerk rings it up then escorts the guy out of the store. Guys puts knife in car. Goes back in store and goes to the kitchen dept, picks up a honking big chefs knife and wanders around the store with it. Duh.

I think if I got stopped and one of my switch blade was discovered it would just be confiscated. LOL

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Any Knife I have in MY HOME, is none of the State business. Just the way it is.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Down here the main knife law in the quarters is "cane knife beats kitchen knife".

 

[TheYoungblood]

Alabama weapon laws date back to pre civil war periods. Yes, during reconstruction they had to work over most every law. But they went back to old ideas. Many counties have 19 century law still on books, that is no longer enforced, which requires a $5 permit to carry a concealed knife. Concealed meant anything back then if you were on wrong side of cop that day... The possession of dirks, dagger, cane swords, swords, switchblades, or propelled blades are illegal. For several of these the law does not allow transporting them and for others the sale (transfer) is illegal unless you are issued it for work while military or LEO. So technically taking that $600 sword to your martial arts class is at discretion of the cop that finds you with it. . .
We have had concealed carry permits since the times when people still open carried in most of US.

 

[shouldazagged]

In Kentucky a CCW license gives me the right to carry a full-automatic or assisted-opening knife concealed. There's a SOG Flash II clipped in my right hip pocket at the moment, and I can carry it outside my home as well.

Unfortunately, though I've never had a problem I've heard there are some LEO's here who aren't sufficiently conversant with the law and might take exception to my legally carrying an assisted opener. I don't own a switchblade for that reason--figure I could make the case for the SOG more easily if questioned.

 

[jag312]

I have a Boker switchblade that I use for opening mail. If I had a choice of either that switchblade or one of my Randalls to defend myself; well, you know what they say, "That's not a knife. This is a knife."

 

[MarineSgtjimh]

no knife restrictions in Arizona and damn few gun restrictions too.

 

[Salty RI]

Switchblades are against the law here, always have been, I can remember when I was a kid every store sold them, they displayed them right out in the open.

 

[Rastoff]

Switchblades are against the law here, always have been, I can remember when I was a kid every store sold them, they displayed them right out in the open.

Doesn't "always" include when you were a kid?

 

[GKC]

Texas just recently (Sept '13) made switchblades legal for carry...prior to that, you could own a switchblade but you couldn't carry it off your property.

Texas still restricts blade length to 5 1/2 ", unless you are hunting. You can own longer blade knives but you can't carry them off your property unless you are hunting.

 

[franzas]

VA- Switchblades and brass knuckles and such are legal to posses, just not carry.

Richmond has a blade length restriction of 3.5" for carry. I'm not sure about the rest of the state, but I've never had a problem OCing my 5.25" Ka-Bar while hunting.

 

[shouldazagged]

Switchblades are against the law here, always have been, I can remember when I was a kid every store sold them, they displayed them right out in the open.

I bought two or three as a teenager, sixty years or so ago. Cheap junk, but looked cool to a sixteen-year-old. Never any questions asked by the store clerks who sold them to me.

 

[Waywatcher]

Just as a point of information, the Leek is "assisted", not an auto. You open it with either the thumb stud or the flipper to about 30° before the spring takes over.

That said, I gather that such a knife is illegal in Wisconsin, treated the same as an auto under the law. At least, that is what the guys in the cigar shop in Hudson say. It limits the selection of Benchmades they can sell.

Wisconsin's law is so vague and ambiguous that it's impossible to know what is legal. According to the letter of the law, and I am quoting here:
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.

...every single folding knife on the planet opens with a thrust of movement.

 

[RonJ]

According to Knife Laws of the Fifty States folding knives may be carried openly or concealed in Wisconsin. No restriction noted on blade length. Dirks, daggers and stilettos may be carried openly but not concealed. Automatic knives and balisongs may not be carried openly or concealed.