Open or concealed for work in NY/NYC?

I have always liked knives (in addition to firearms) and have a few around the house and some pocket ones which I carry on a daily basis. Reading through the threads below in the Non-Firearm Weapons section specific to my locale, I am glad to now have a better understanding of what the laws are. Despite having open carried on my pants pocket with the belt clip exposed for 5+ years with no problems, I am of the wiser now and questioning this.

I work as a project architect for a Architecture and Engineering firm located outside of NYC (Westchester County). I daily carry a Kobalt 3.75" folding knife among other things which are on me intermittently (flash light, alum. pen, work gloves, etc.). Because many of our projects are in NYC, I am in and around the Burroughs at least 2-3/week keeping tabs on multiple contractors and construction progress. There are a number of reason I must have a knife on me for work, but I question being hassled when enroute. I doubt I will ever be questioned when I am in full construction gear (firm logo on hardhat, harness strapped on and building plans in my hands) BUT there are times I am in regular attire for a meeting in a trailor onsite and could look like the average joe. As per NY Administrative Code 10-133 d. (6)(a), I am fully legal to carry it while working BUT being a 6'4' black guy puts a grey area in place. Especially having projects in high crime areas in Brooklyn & Queens. My thought are to just leave it concealed in my Carhartt jacket pocket until I'm on the construction site to take it out if I need to use it.

I also live in Westchester County (located North of NYC; NOT IN NYC). I utilize this http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/ADC/10/1/10-133 for NYC laws but where can I find the laws for the remainder of NY State? Am I allowed to leave the clip exposed elsewhere for work? For leisure?

Comments? Thoughts? Experiences?

Please let me relieve posters from needing to telling me to simply move out of the NY state. If you know anything about the construction industry, you know "Big cities" are where the money is at, NYC being one of the biggest. I don't care to hear how things are done in Middle of Texas or where ever, as this does not help me at the moment.

SleazyRider said:

And before the NYC bashing gets out of hand, consider that over 13 million people live and work in relative harmony, in an area smaller than many ranches in the west. Think about taking the population of your Smalltown, USA, and sticking all its citizens in a huge apartment complex. I wonder how people would get along. It's a miracle, really, that things go as well as they do. All things considered, NYC is a fabulous place to live and work despite its restrictions.

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hmphargh said:

Honestly, I would say it depends on what battle you want to fight.

If you are at work and are actually participating in work activities, then you certainly have a case, but that will take time and money to prove in court.

If you want to live your life and be happy without any hassle, I would stick the knife in your Carhartt jacket pocket and keep it hidden until you need to use it.

Though it is unfortunate, I don't think it is unreasonable of you to believe that you could be profiled based on your physical appearance. While I don't think anyone here would condone that behavior, it is a fact of life, and it may be best to avoid the conflict.

As far as stories go, I am not a NYC resident, but I have visited before, and had a pocket knife clipped to my jeans. I did get "stopped", but was not issued a ticket, only a request for my ID (Tx), and was provided education of the law, slipped the knife INTO my pocket, and carried on.

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I agree. This profiling is why I question the legality. Despite being legal, it's not worth fighting it and wasting money and time.

Owen Sparks said:

JayBoogs, let me ask you this:

When was the last time a policeman stuck his hand into your jacket pockets during the course of your work day?

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What's your point? I'm opting to put it in my jacket pocket concealed rather than exposed on my pants pocket.

Nevertheless, You'd be surprise. Some NYPD members are brash and for all they know I'm some thug and/or criminal and they act accordingly. Trust I've been racially profiled before. Then their tune turns when I open my mouth and they realize I am not a local hoodlum and in the midst of working. SMH

hso said:

JayBoogs,

Take a look at the Knife Rights site and email them. They are currently suing NYC over Sirus Vance's over-reaching.

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I'm on that site as we speak. I never had to deal with anything major related to my knife or other gear, Thank God. I do however want to be more informed, know the laws and what I'm entitled to for my own sake.

carpettbaggerr said:

*SNIP*

NY State criminal law (illegal weapons in article 265) :http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/nycriminallaw.htm


NY City Criminal Codes (knives under Title 10, Chapter 1, 10-133): http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/L...&BROWSER=BROWSER &TOKEN=45516465 &TARGET=VIEW


Good summary of state knife laws: http://thefiringline.com/library/blades/knifelaws.html

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OK Thanks. That is good to know

zorro45 said:

How about a nice big framing hammer?

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Theoretically as per NY Administrative Code 10-133 d. (6)(a), a construction worker could have it to, from and during working.