Spyderco Forums

http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USKnife.pdf

I'm tagging this to my siggy too.

Check it out, save the PDF, forward it to your friends. It was an eye-opener for me because I figured all of Washington was 3.5" (but about half are 3").

Have a good weekend.

The Virginia one says allowed and has a question mark next to 3", I read through the sections and didn't find a reference to a maximum folder length.

That's interesting. They must speculate that if the city is not specific 3" is a rough rule (as most the VA cities have that as the limit).

The PDF seems to be a good guide. It's definitely not complete but interesting as a thumbnail. It's important to know for certain because the consequences are bigger than a speeding ticket.

I always hear things like, "You can carry any knife you want in Texas," or, "California has no blade length restriction." Based on this those are definite generalizations.

One would think something like blade-length would be decided on a "state wide" policy.

Having grown up in Louisiana, I'm reminded about how Louisiana law can be so backward ... sheesh ...

The general guidance regarding knives in Louisiana includes language that prohibits all but LEO's from owning and / or carrying "Rescue" knives. "Rescue" knives further defined as knives designed for use by LEO's for cutting automotive seatbelts. With the exception of a handful of specific regualtions for specific areas, anything else goes assuming good intent.

Stevie Ray wrote:Having grown up in Louisiana, I'm reminded about how Louisiana law can be so backward ... sheesh ...

The general guidance regarding knives in Louisiana includes language that prohibits all but LEO's from owning and / or carrying "Rescue" knives. "Rescue" knives further defined as knives designed for use by LEO's for cutting automotive seatbelts. With the exception of a handful of specific regualtions for specific areas, anything else goes assuming good intent.

Is it possible that, when that law was drafted, the only "rescue knives" were the automatic "parachute knives" carried by paratroopers?

On a broader note, while this PDF, like Bernard Levine's website, can be helpful, it pays to remember that no compilation of laws will be 100% accurate or up to date. It lets you know what is definitely illegal, which is good, but can give a false sense of security if one assumes that anything not mentioned is legal. New York City's creative interpretation of state law regarding gravity knives would be a prime example.

I'd recommend double checking your local laws just to be sure and wouldn't necessarily rely completely on a PDF somebody has compiled, as things are subject to change.

Remember laws are also pretty vague and LEOs can decide on their own if they feel the knife you're carrying is legal. I follow the laws as far as i know them but I also have a spyderco rescue in my car. From what i've always read the only illegal knives in Louisiana are Switchblades. This PDF doesn't even mention switchblades in Louisiana.

Interesting. Colorado's is 3.5". Does this mean if you walk out of the SFO with a Pac or Millie your breaking the law?

Blerv wrote:http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USKnife.pdf I figured all of Washington was 3.5" (but about half are 3").

Yep, I carry my Lil' Temp when I'm headed for and traveling around Seattle. Here on the Olympic Peninsula I carry whatever I want.

It's so strange that you can't carry a 4" knife where you can carry a gun. I can tell which industry has the most money and lobbyists.

i am surprised the number of places that have blade limits of 2.5" or under

I'm certainly the last to say something like this PDF is the last authority on carrying something as volatile as knives (in the eyes of the law). The PDF even has disclaimers all over it.

However, VERY seldom I would think a state would loosen restrictions and increase blade length carry or add fixed blades. If anything they will likely get more stringent.

As mentioned, its an eye-opener for me. I always like staying on the good side of the law and that means getting dang close or under the limit. Some people walk around with folding machetes and say "the **** with it!".

There are also quite a few people thinking certain states are run by "pirate law" which obviously they are mistaken. I'd rather get disappointed by a PDF than a jail cell even for a few days.

redyps04 wrote:Interesting. Colorado's is 3.5". Does this mean if you walk out of the SFO with a Pac or Millie your breaking the law?

Typically in-box or in a bag is quite different than having it on you. Most of those laws for for city regulations...hence a Chinook or Fixed blade is ok for certain rural/camp situations.

Have someone any about European states? I wish to know expecially about Germany i think are allowed only slipit models?

Thanks for all of your awesome threads, tags, links, etc, Blerv! There's a lot of really useful info in your sig line.

Interesting/ridiculous that a lot of cities in Michigan ban knives/restrict them in parks, I wonder why? That seems like one place where a knife would be an essential piece of kit (picnic, sharpening branches for smores, etc). Crazy?

Also good to know (and again completely ridiculous) that students aren't allowed to carry knives on campuses in Lansing... I'm glad my school has pretty liberal knife laws, phew.

Thanks npuekkpe! I figure I can't control how good my responses will be but a sig can always give useful info :) .

Btw, smore spear stabbings are the reason I stopped camping years ago =p