[yankytrash]

Just a quick question:

I'm visiting family in Florida right now, and I'm gonna open carry a knife for the time being until my non-res permit comes. Can't find any state definitions of "knife", vs "sword", etc.. so, my question is,

What's the legal open carry knife limit in Florida, or is there one? I'm thinking along the lines of my normal piece, a 5" (6"?) fixed-blade, sharpened both sides.


(oh, and for note, as some ol' timers might know, I don't need advice on the tact of open carry, but thanks anyway. ;) )

[hso]

You can usually get this information free of opinion and interpretation by using findlaw.

From http://www.findlaw.com/
SEARCH "florida laws"
click on "FindLaw: State Resources: Florida: Laws"
click on "State Code "
click on "Search Statutes" and perform a search for knives

More than you want, but at least all the state law on knives.

[Hkmp5sd]

Knives are broken down to three types in the Florida statutes. One is a "self-propelled" knife, which is banned. Then there are "common pocket knives" and everything else.

Open carry of "weapons" is not permitted, with the specific exception of CS/Mace spray and stun guns. Concealed carry of any knife other than the "common pocket knife" requires a CCW.

If you do a search of the Florida Statutes (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?Tab=statutes&submenu=1) , the only reference to knives occurs in the Chapter 790 - Weapons and Firearms (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0790/titl0790.htm&StatuteYear=2002&Title=%2D%3E2002%2D%3EChapter%20790) section.

In reality however, I frequently see people wearing large, fixed blade knives in public. At least in the area I live in, a knife is considered a tool, albeit a tool that can double as a weapon.