AO in Michigan

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76shuvlinoff

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Michigan
I live in Michigan and just acquired a Benchmade Mini Barrage (legal length) but it is assisted opening. I really like this new pocket knife, it's not technically an automatic but is assisted opening illegal to carry in Michigan?

I've been carrying a standard Mini Griptilian for several years, Benchmade knives are nice.

thanks!
 
You need to look up Michigan's knife laws.

Most states define a switchblade as having a button on the handle, but some refer to a switchblade as having any mechanism that opens the knife. Since AOs don't have a mechanism to open them, they are actually biased closed and the mechanism only engages after you manually open the blade to a certain point, they don't meet the definition of opening with the mechanism. That hasn't stopped some jurisdictions from making the decision to lump them in with switchblades so you may need to dig down into your local laws.

Don't ask a law enforcement officer, they're not lawyers or judges. If you want a definitive answer you can carry with you to show an LEO that opines your knife is an illegal switchblade (many states allow switchblades) you need a written opinion from the state or local head legal official (AG/DA/...) that you can show them.

750.226a. Pocket knife opened by mechanical device...
Any person who shall sell or offer to sell, or
any person who shall have in his possession any knife
having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or
blades of which can be opened by a flick of a button,
pressure on a handle or other mechanical contrivance shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor... [Also, concealed carry may
be charged as a felony under 750.227.] The provisions of
this section [750.226a] shall not apply to any one-armed
person carrying a knife on his person in connection with
his living requirements.
 
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