Legality of Knives

[thellama]

I recently bought a Spyderco Delica and I love it. But I recently got into a discussion on wheter or not it was legal to carry. If anyone has information or any suggestions on where I can find info please let me know.

thanks

[sal]

Hi Llama. Legality of a knife normally depends where you are with it. The Delica is legal in most locations based on blade size.

Not legal on schoolgrounds or courtrooms.

sal

[Fozzy]

Llama-

Most states have a website which often contains a link to that state's laws. A lot of these law sites are searchable too. I don't know which state you're in but try inserting your state's 2-letter abbreviation in the appropriate place. For example: www.state.ma.us is Massachusetts site. Good luck!

Ben

"No good deed goes unpunished."

Edited by - Fozzy on 9/29/00 5:49:49 PM

[sgtmike88]

Let us not forget the aspect of intent. If Lucy's going about her daily routine with no intent to cause another person bodily harm she's on pretty safe ground. If Lucy's sneakin' around the neighborhood at night wearing dark clothing and acting suspiciously, Lucy's got some 'splainin to doooo.

[sal]

Hi Sgtmike. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Personally, I think intent to do harm is core to the question. The next question that comes up is; why are you carrying such a knife if you mean no one any harm?

It is sometimes a difficult question to answer. Self defense implies intent.

AKTI is working on some of these questions.

sal

[sgtmike88]

Thanks for the "Welcome", Sal. Lest we forget the knife is a working tool, which can double as a weapon in an emergency. I've carried a knife daily for the past 30+ years (since I was a Cub Scout if you're trying to age me) and have never been questioned as to my "intent." A knife of reasonable blade length is easily explainable as just that - a working tool, as long as one is not engaging in behaviors to cause alarm, annoyance, or outwardly committing a crime or offense.

[dePaul]

In some places it doesn&#180;t matter what intentions you might have. I mean carrying a knife such as Native or Military at an airport will certainly not be tolerated (unless it&#180;s in your trunk and not in your hand luggage). Believe me I&#180;ve tried that. On a recent journey to Prague I was stopped and had to mail the knife back to myself. And it was not even a big model, just a Calypso Jr Lightweight. My mistake was popping it up and placing it with my keys and coins in that little box. The same second i did that the airport guard went crazy <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>If it hadn&#180;t be a knife with a blade lock then it would be alright, he explained. The length of the blade was apparently no problem.

[sam the man..]

Dudes - sgt mike had raised a pertinent point about the knife as a general working tool. I agree totally. In Malaysia, the legal limit for carry is 3&quot;. And Spyderco had actually produced a handsome line-up of &quot;politically correct&quot; blades for daily carry which is not intimidating. I work in a hazardous environ where I personally feel that a knife is the only tool that I'll deploy to save my self in life threatening situations. If I ever have a run-in with the law, I won't be apprehensive at all to surrender the blade because there is always an avenue to replace the confisticated blade. I felt a sense of heavy responsibility to explain and educate others on why I carry a knife for my daily routines.

Sam

have spydies
will travel...

[sal]

One also must be aware of &quot;types&quot; of knives in cerain localities. For example; we could not, in Golden, Colorado, legally build, sell or carry many of the knives made in Oregon or Florida.

sal

[lshay]

Hmmmmm, knives made in Oregon or Florida. What and who could Sal possibly mean? ROFLOL

[sgtmike88]

Oregon and Florida ... Those would be the companies without customer support and who hire the Pakistani immigrants who are really used to banging knifeblades out of old blown up military vehicle metals. LOL

'Tis better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. ~ Lincoln

[sal]

SgtMike. My reference was to Oregon's and Florida's &quot;legal to make &amp; own&quot; automatic knife laws.

I must, however, ask that you avoid any racial comments on this forum. Spyderco distributes knives to many countries where intelligent discriminating ELUs appreciate our efforts...including Pakistan. Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation.

sal

[sgtmike88]

My sincerest of apologies...no racial bias intended, merely a very poor attempt at humor.

[sam the man..]

Well, so much for humour... <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Its interesting to note the different inter-state legislature concerning edged tools. Thanks for the note Sal! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies
will travel...

[sal]

Thank you SgtMike. You are a good man.

sal