USA - Quick summary of knife laws

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OFF THE WIRE

byCarl Donath
After following rec.knives fora while, it became obvious that a quick summary of knife laws would be handy.Here's what little I've been able to glean from my reading.
My goal is to find the clear portionof what is flat-out legal and easily summarized. I realize most states confusethe issue unmercifully; I'll let others figure out how to push the limits.
WARNING: This document is createdfrom hearsay and whatever laws I could find. For legal advice, ask a lawyer.I could be lying. I only provide this to try to slightly improve the generallack of information on this subject. YOU are responsible for your own actions.If you don't know exactly what the laws are for any state or locale you arein, GO FIND OUT. (http://www.ncsl.org/public/sitesleg.htmis a good start, containing pointers to all state legislative sites.) Ihaven't updated this for a while, so consider it a cursory guide.

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Explaination

State (hyperlink goes to detailedexplaination)

• Summary:

Basically, I want to answer the question "I'm flying to state X tomorrow,so which knife can I take?"
• Max length:

Size limit, measured the most unpleasant way possible. Some may permit longerin certain cases, but I won't suggest anything longer if it's in a gray area.
• Specifically illegal:

Specific styles which are explicitly forbidden.
Switchblade= Push a button/lever, it does the rest.
Gravity knives = Opened by gravity or centrifigual force. Butterfly knives(balisongs) included.
• Relevant laws:

A quick pointer to roughly where the relevant laws are (ex. Penal Code 642)
• Quirks:

Dark humor points (ex: a 1" lockback in a pocket is illegal, but a 15" Bowieswinging free is ok)
• Local restrictions:

City/county restrictions.

BTW So many places forbid sharpthings in schools that this sentence is the only place I'll mention this:assume posession of knives in schools - even colleges - is illegal.
Use this as guidance: kids have been suspended for mere posession of nailclippers.

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US Knife Law Summary

• Ballistic knives (automaticblade throwers) are prohibited.
• Switchblades maynot be transported/mailed across state lines unlessthe recipient intends to use it for military use.
• Possessing a knife in a federalfacility is prohibitedunless it is a pocket knife with blade under 2.5".

State Knife Law Summaries

Arizona

• Summary: Generally clear. Illegalto carry "deadly weapon, (except a pocket knife) concealed."
• Max length: None apparent.
• Relevant laws: ARS book

California

• Summary: Anything capable ofready use as a stabbing weapon is illegal. All concealed knives are a felony(except non locking folders).
• Max length: chaotic
• Specifically illegal: Switchblades,gravity knives, exotic conceal methods (pen, lipstick, whatever)
• Relevant laws: PC 653K, PC 12020(24), California Laws, Commentary(apparently removed - someone know where?)
• Note that interpretationsby cops and judges are wildly varied. Police have actually told law-abidingcitizens to break the concealment laws, and a judge has deemed a blunt-pointknife (Spyderco Mariner) astabbing weapon.
• Quirks: Pens may be illegal(potential stabbing weapon).
• Local restrictions:
• Los Angeles
• Three inch limit for opencarry without a good explanation.

Conneticut

• Summary: Sounds normal.
• Max length: Cutting edge under4 inches
• Switchblades: Are legal to carrywith a Dangerous Weapons Permit (DWP) only. Good luck trying to find a policestation that has an application.
• Gravity knives: Same
• Relevant laws:
• Local restrictions: Some policechiefs don't want to give out DWP's

Florida

• Summary: A "common pocketknife"is OK. All "concealed weapons" (knives included) require a license.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Relevant laws: Chapter790

Georgia

• Local restrictions:
• Atlanta: A blade over 3" thatLOCKS is illegal.

Indiana

• Summary: Generally OK.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Specifically illegal: automatics& throwing stars.
• Relevant laws: Statutes mentioning"knife"

Mississippi

• Summary: OK for "normal" knives.Don't try to conceal any bowie, dirk, switchblade or butcher knife.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Specifically illegal: none apparent.
• Relevant laws: 97-37-*
• Quirks: Threatening actionswith a knife in the presence of less than three people may be acceptable.

Missouri

• Summary: any folder 4" or lessis OK.
• Max length: 4"
• Relevant laws: State Laws (search for"knife")

Maryland

• Summary: "Penknives" are OK.Anything else is borderline illegal and may require a concealed weapon permit.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Relevant laws: MD Statues Crimesand Punishments § 36, § 36A-O
• Quirks: You may carry a "weaponas a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger", but it's up to atribunal to decide the reasonableness/appropriateness of posession.
• Local restrictions:
• Cecil, Anne Arundel, Talbot,Harford, Caroline, Prince George's, Montgomery, St. Mary's, Washington, Worcester,Kent, and Baltimore Counties have special prohibitions regarding childrenunder 18 carrying knives. See § 36(a)(3).

Nebraska

• Summary: Nothing over 3.5"
• Max length: 3.5"
• A longer blade maybe legal, but it's subject post-fact to a judge's decision.
• Relevant laws: Statutesmentioning "knife"
• Statutes may refer only toconcealed knives.
• Quirks:
• A "knife" is defined as havinga blade over 3.5". A pocketknife under 3.5" is not a knife.
• Local restrictions:
• Linconln
• Switchblades are illegal.

New Jersey

• Summary: General folders OK.Single-edged fixed blades may be.
• Max length: Under 18 may notpossess knife with 5" or longer blade, or 10" or longer overall. No otherapparent limitation.
• Specifically illegal: gravityknife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, or ballistic knife "withoutany explainable lawful purpose" (i.e. an ill-defined exemption). Manufacturersand sellers are not exempt.
• Relevant laws: 2C:39-3.e 2C:39-9.d2C:39-9.1 (Statutes, search for "knife" or "knives")

New York

• Summary: If it looks like aweapon, it's illegal.
• Max length: 6" (?)
• Specifically illegal: Switchbladesand gravity knives unless hunting or fishing with permit
• Relevant laws: Penal law
• Local restrictions:
• New York City
• Must be under 4"

Nevada

• Summary: Generally OK.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Specifically illegal: switchblades,belt-buckle knives
• Relevant laws: NRS202

Ohio

• Specifically illegal: switchblade,springblade knife, gravity (butterfly) knife, or similar weapon;
• Relevant laws: Search Statutes for "knife"

Rhode Island

• Summary: 3" or less OK. Don'tposess anything "designed to cut and stab another".
• Max length: 3" measured fromwhere the handle ends, not where the sharpened edge begins.
• Specifically illegal:
• Posession of a dagger, dirk,stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, or other similar weapon designed tocut and stab another.
• Concealed carry upon one'sperson of the above-mentioned instruments or weapons, or any razor, or knifeof any description having a blade of more than 3".
• Relevant laws: Title 11 CriminalOffenses §11-47-42
• Quirks: Children under 18 maypurchase the above weapons with written parental permission.

Tennessee

• Summary: Folders under 4" areOK.
• Max length: 4"
• Specifically illegal: Switchblades,gravity knives (probably)
• Quirks: Fixed blades are probablya no-no.

Texas

• Summary: Folders under 5.5"OK.
• Max length: 5.5"
• Specifically illegal: Switchblade,throwing knives, daggers (in general), bowie knives, swords and spears.
• Relevant laws: Penal Code46
• Quirks: The one state peopleassociate with Bowie knives explicitly forbids them.

Virginia

• Summary: Don't conceal a dirkor bowie knife. Don't take a dangerous weapon (esp. bowie knife or dagger)to church.
• Max length: None apparent.
• Specifically illegal: Switchblades.
• Relevant laws: 18.2-308,search statutes for knifeor knives.
• Quirks: 3.1-370:your knife must be cleaned daily.

Washington

• Summary: Anything over 3" isin a gray area.
• Max length: 3"
• Specifically illegal: switchblade,springblade knife, gravity (butterfly) knife, concealed dagger/dirk
• Relevant laws: Statutes mentioning"knife"

Wisconson

• Relevant laws: 134.71 (1)(a)9,134.71 (1)(g)1, 134.71 (1)(h)1  (relating to pawn brokers), 941.24 (switchblades)

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Canada

• Summary: Careful; the countryis getting antsy about weapons.
• Specifically illegal: a knifethat has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal forceor by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attachedto the handle of the knife.
• Relevant laws: AnnualStatutes Of Canada, 1995 Chapter 39 (Bill C-68)

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Airlines
Summary: No knives or sharp instrumentsof anykind.