Carrying knives in public is prohibited or restricted by law in many countries. Exceptions may be made for hunting knives, pocket knives and knives used for professional purposes (chef`s knives, etc.), depending on the laws of a particular jurisdiction. In turn, the carrying or possession of certain types of knives perceived as lethal or offensive weapons, such as automatic or switched blade knives or butterfly knives (Balisong knives), may be restricted or prohibited. Although the carrying of knives is generally legal on the person, this right may not extend to all places and circumstances, and knives of any kind may be prohibited in schools, public buildings or courthouses and at public events. The following table shows the age-related knife laws for each state: In New York, knife laws are more confusing because knives can be considered dangerous even if the person owning them has no criminal intent in mind. The only way for law enforcement to determine the true use of knives is for these cases to be brought to court. There are only four types of knives that people are allowed to own in New York: hunting knives, dirks or daggers, stilletos, and gravity knives (except in New York). The following knives are illegal for any New Yorker: American metal fists, ballistic knives, tube swords and throwing stars. Even people who are not U.S. citizens cannot own knives. Knives that can be turned into weapons are also prohibited. The law in West Virginia classifies knives as dangerous weapons. The age of the person is also crucial in deciding what types of blades are legal for concealed wearing.
In Oregon, switch blades fall into the category of “pocket knives” and can be legally hidden. Always remember that state law generally governs how municipalities write their laws, but just because a state decriminalizes a law doesn`t mean ALL local jurisdictions will make that change and why it`s so important to know state law when you`re on state land or on the street. But the laws in your local jurisdiction are just as important. You can no longer be charged with a crime for a particular knife, but a local law can just as quickly throw you in jail for a citizen violation. Although most restrictions on firearms were eventually lifted, many knife laws in the South remained in place. In Texas, this is largely due to the presence of a large number of Tejanos. [111] By 1870, whites in Texas had almost universally and exclusively adopted the revolver for self-defense, while Tejanos, steeped in the blade culture (el legado Andaluz) of Mexico and Spain and generally without the means to buy handguns, continued to carry knives. [107] While Texas` local and state gun laws and regulations were gradually relaxed or eliminated in the late 1800s, the old prohibitions on Bowie knives, daggers, dirks, and other long-bladed knives remained in effect because they served to disarm and control a minority seen as lawless behavior and violence without legal justification. [106] [111] The Texas law remained in effect for nearly 150 years until it was amended in 2017 to allow these weapons to be carried with certain restrictions. [112] Ohio`s knife laws are quite lax, as most species are completely legal to possess and transport.
Knife laws also include switch blades and swords. According to the law, the difference between a legally owned knife and an illegal knife is the intention to use it as a deadly weapon. This makes state-by-state knife laws a tricky issue, unless your state has a preemption clause. The right of first refusal means that the state government repeals all city and county knife laws. So if you`re traveling from city to city, you don`t have to worry about municipal knife laws. Kentucky law preserves the right of its residents and visitors to bear arms, as well as the right to defend their families and property. Residents can carry and demonstrate knives on private property. Some of the legal species include daggers, machetes, dirks, swords, throwing knives, and throwing stars. HB2033 repeals all existing local knife laws in Kansas and enacts statewide anticipation for any attempt to enact new local knife laws that are more restrictive than state law.
HB2033 also lifts the ban on possession of switch blades, dirks, daggers and stilettos. However, students are not allowed to carry switch blade knives or other knives that open outwards or downwards. This law also applies to all those on school grounds. No one is allowed to carry a weapon in Georgia without a valid driver`s license. The law defines a weapon as a handgun or knife. Any knife with a blade less than 12 inches in length is allowed, including daggers, pocket knives, machetes, stiletto heels, butterflies, and ballistic knives. All types of knives are considered dangerous tools, but are not considered weapons under Polish law,[45] so there are no restrictions on weapons. The exception is a blade hidden in an object that does not look like a weapon (a sword in an umbrella, a dagger in a shoe, etc.). It is legal to sell, buy, exchange and possess knives, and Polish law does not prohibit carrying a knife in a public place. At mass events, however, some prohibitions may apply in possession of so-called “dangerous” tools.
[46] Thank you for contacting us with your question! Officially, I advise asking this question to a lawyer or paralegal in the state of Florida (or the department from which you obtained your license). I can`t give you formal legal advice, so don`t take my word for it as an authority. I am just a general guide to point you in the right direction. The only information I found that relates somewhat to your question is at this link to the Florida State Government (Department of Agriculture); Kansas doesn`t have strict knife laws. Instead, the state focuses on intent to use a Dirk or dagger against another person, rather than mere possession. The possession and use of firearms is illegal in Washington; Knives are no exception. The law prohibits the possession of dangerous weapons such as gravity, stiletto knives and automatic knives. The only exception is for people who work in the military, law enforcement, emergency services and fire departments. In the case of almost all knives, there are a number of simple guidelines you can follow to get a general understanding of knife laws in the United States in general, but it always depends on the laws, restrictions, and regulations of the jurisdiction you are in with such a knife.