bayonet legal or not help
- Thread starter m715
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Candyman87
Member
Depends on state laws. In PA, perfectly fine. In NJ, fuhgeddaboudit.
We'd be better able to answer if we knew where you lived.
Neo-Luddite
Member
Start here maybe, as you're talking about what is effectively by itself a combat knife--right? http://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/
This outfit looks a bit more detailed without membership: http://www.knifeup.com/knife-laws/
I'd start here and then search your state's actual criminal code/laws to read up.
This outfit looks a bit more detailed without membership: http://www.knifeup.com/knife-laws/
I'd start here and then search your state's actual criminal code/laws to read up.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
If it is lawful to carry a knife of that style and size in your state, then it would be lawful to have and carry that knife.
If it is lawful to possess a firearm with a fixture to accept a bayonet in your state, then it would be lawful to have and posses (and to the extent allowed by law, carry) that firearm.
I've never heard of a firearms law in the US that specifically spoke to the possession or mounting of a bayonet, itself.
Is there some other question here?
If it is lawful to possess a firearm with a fixture to accept a bayonet in your state, then it would be lawful to have and posses (and to the extent allowed by law, carry) that firearm.
I've never heard of a firearms law in the US that specifically spoke to the possession or mounting of a bayonet, itself.
Is there some other question here?
Be prepared to get more than a few strange looks, but I don't know of any laws that would forbid it if you can purchase an AK with a bayonet lug.
Neo-Luddite
Member
Hmmmm....that might be tantamount to brandishing a knife unless the blade were sheathed (assuming for starters that it is lawful to open carry a rifle to the range where you live). You will draw attention regardless.
I believe the old 1994 assault weapons ban forbade bayonet on a rifle, that was the 'reason' for banning of the bayonet lug.
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-579148.html
More info http://davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/rational.htm
"6. Bayonet Lugs
Under legislation sponsored by Representative William Hughes in 1990, any gun which could accept a bayonet could be considered an illegal "assault weapon." [65] Bayonets are obviously of no sporting utility, although they could be marginally useful in the personal and civil defense contexts. The major problem with the bayonet-ban, however, is that any rifle barrel can be a bayonet mount. Moreover, how many, if any, criminals have ever charged their victims with a bayonet."
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Are your real questions: (1) What are the possible legal consequences of openly carrying a rifle with a bayonet affixed? (2)Does it matter whether the rifle is loaded?m715 said:
If so, the only way you can get a solid answer upon which you could reasonably rely would be for a qualified person to thoroughly research the statutes and case law of the Commonwealth of Virginia and form an opinion based on that research.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Sorta side track.
Another gun/knife law based on a spurious association.
Most collectible military rifles have bayonet lugs; removing bayonet lugs erases part of military history without enhancing public safety.
To answer the opening post: where are you? In Tennessee, collection of arms as keepsakes, ornaments or heirlooms is protected under court rulings, attorney general opinions, and statements of legislative intent, interpreting Article I Section 26, right of the citizen to keep and bear arms, as being a lawful and traditional reason to own guns. Carry in public as a weapon of offense or defense may be regulated as "going armed".
The French army adopted the bayonet as a combat weapon after it was already in use for hunting firearms.
Another gun/knife law based on a spurious association.
Most collectible military rifles have bayonet lugs; removing bayonet lugs erases part of military history without enhancing public safety.
To answer the opening post: where are you? In Tennessee, collection of arms as keepsakes, ornaments or heirlooms is protected under court rulings, attorney general opinions, and statements of legislative intent, interpreting Article I Section 26, right of the citizen to keep and bear arms, as being a lawful and traditional reason to own guns. Carry in public as a weapon of offense or defense may be regulated as "going armed".
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The bayonet lug / bayonet thing had nothing to do with the bayonet. Lawmakers wanted to ban an entire class of guns i.e. military style assault rifles. To do that they had to define an "assault weapon" . The bayonet was one of the defining characteristics of an "assault weapon" ( and no, full auto has nothing to do with the definition of "assault weapon" ) , detachable mags, threaded barrels, grenade launchers , pistol grips, folding stocks etc. By US law 2 or more of those characteristics made a semiauto rifle an "assault weapon". No one cared about the bayonet. It was just one of the characteristics listed in the now defunct "Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act" of 1994 . To make something illegal or to ban it you have to define what you are making illegal. The poor bayonet lug just got dragged along for the ride.
OP
OP
m715
Member
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i started getting confused when my research made it as far as the last few posts.there is so much out there as far as info.then the pre and post ban stuff.i believe it was repealed.i just want to make sure im not going to get tossed in jail for having .
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Well the federal AWB sunset in 2004. Gone. Done. Bye Bye.
Unless your state has a law that says you can't own, or mount, a bayonet you should be fine.
I've never (ever) heard of such.
Unless your state has a law that says you can't own, or mount, a bayonet you should be fine.
I've never (ever) heard of such.
For further guidance. I would suggest asking the VCDL (Virginia Citizens Defense League).
https://www.vcdl.org/
Also I would ask some revolutionary war reenactment organizations. I'll bet they use bayonets on their rifles.
Good Luck.
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https://www.vcdl.org/
Also I would ask some revolutionary war reenactment organizations. I'll bet they use bayonets on their rifles.
Good Luck.
.
Kaeto
Member
Here in Michigan it would depend on the style of the bayonet blade.
Candyman87, there is nothing illegal about possessing a bayonet in NJ. You can carry a bayonet (or any edged weapon) if you are doing so for a lawful purpose (good luck with that). It is illegal to have a bayonet stud on a semiauto rifle with a detachable magazine if it has one other evil feature (flash surpressor, folding stock, pistol grip, etc).
Possession always doesn't mean carrying. All carrying is possession.
Possession always doesn't mean carrying. All carrying is possession.
Candyman87
Member
This is correct, but practically speaking, then it's just a big knife. When you mount it to an AK47 with a pistol grip and detachable magazine you're up a creek legally speaking.
That's why I like my SKS. Perfectly legal in PRNJ to have the bayonet.
Kaeto
Member
In Mi if it's a double edged or made only for stabbing like the spike bayonet for the No4 Enfield or the bayonet for my 1861 Springfield you are not even supposed to posses it, but they will only go after you if you carry it.
Of course here you could have a completely legal knife in one city and go into the next city and get arrested for having it.
Of course here you could have a completely legal knife in one city and go into the next city and get arrested for having it.
pjeski
Member
You are allowed to possess them, you just can't carry them outside your home, business, or peoperty, unless it is a hunting knife carried for that purpose.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(uc...eg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-227
"(1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person."
I don''t believe any knives are illegal to possess in MI except for switchblades.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(tg...g.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-226a
(with an odd exception)
Kaeto
Member
In Dearborn carrying a knife of any size gets you arrested.
pjeski
Member
Probably true in many municipalities. We need knife law preemption.
jerkface11
Member
Is this confusion over the parts count?
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