Loyalist Dave
Member
Yeah mine kept getting in the way every time I tried to close my car door.
LD
Carrying swords - is it legal?
- Thread starter Boberama
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Yeah mine kept getting in the way every time I tried to close my car door.
LD
On the same vein.....my Colorado permit is a "Concealed Weapon Permit". It says nothing about what kind of weapon(s) I'm permitted to carry, so I've always wondered just what it does allow. Not that I want to wear a sword around, but I've wondered about knives and other things.
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
Allow me to +1 on checking what you read on the internet against the law.
In Texas, a 6" blade will land you in the slammer.
Read the CO state law and it will tell you.
I carry a knife too, and it is a valuable tool much like a firearm. But a sword? C'mon, this isn't 17th century Japan. In addition to being unwieldy during daily tasks, it looks rediculous. You could ride a horse with one, but getting in and out of your pizza delivery vehicle might be tough.
TimboKhan
Member
Piraticalbob
Member
I wonder if the Founders intended for bladed arms to be included under the protections of the 2nd Amendment? I rather think that they did, and I wonder that we've been so quick to surrender our right to bear arms when it involves bladed weapons instead of firearms? In the Founders' day, wearing of swords was a matter of course, and the mark of a gentleman; they wouldn't lightly let a government interfere with that right.
I wonder if that is what the OP had in mind in starting this thread?
I wonder if that is what the OP had in mind in starting this thread?
No, nothing quite so deep.
There are states that do protect non-firearms weapons under their state constitutions and state laws. Usually some case law adds to the inclusion of non-firearms weapons to the protection of the right to keep and bear arms.
There are states that do protect non-firearms weapons under their state constitutions and state laws. Usually some case law adds to the inclusion of non-firearms weapons to the protection of the right to keep and bear arms.
Back when I was a working man several years ago, we'd occasionally get calls about a 25-ish male who wore a full-sized sword slung over his back all over town. Bus driver refused him access one day, but after our first couple contacts with him on the street, when we ran him for wants, found none, and found he was not doing anything to alarm anybody aside from the sight of that sword, we'd just say hi when we'd have to go out on the next call on him.
Kept it up for six months or so & finally disappeared.
This was Utah's second largest city. No law against carrying a sword in Utah, it was not concealed, and he never even laid a hand on it as far as we could determine in any of the incidents where we had to respond. It was the mere presence, people saw that thing & immediately called the cops.
First contact, he was very cooperative & readily surrendered the sword while we checked him out, after which we gave it back to him.
Each & every contact I was involved in he was polite & cheerful, never belligerent in any way, thoroughly cooperative, and was causing no problem whatever other than just having a highly visible sword along.
We got tired of responding to sightings, but he broke no law & his choice to carry his slung sword everywhere he went was perfectly legal.
Technically, we could have plugged him into a broadly-worded disorderly conduct charge (causing a public alarm), but why bother?
We did have to tell him on the bus occasion that the driver was within his rights to refuse access, but he wasn't making a real fuss or trying to force his way onto the bus, and he understood, but other than that we'd just pretty much confirm no wrong-doing on his part on each call, explain to the complainant that no laws were broken, and stay out of it.
Denis
Kept it up for six months or so & finally disappeared.
This was Utah's second largest city. No law against carrying a sword in Utah, it was not concealed, and he never even laid a hand on it as far as we could determine in any of the incidents where we had to respond. It was the mere presence, people saw that thing & immediately called the cops.
First contact, he was very cooperative & readily surrendered the sword while we checked him out, after which we gave it back to him.
Each & every contact I was involved in he was polite & cheerful, never belligerent in any way, thoroughly cooperative, and was causing no problem whatever other than just having a highly visible sword along.
We got tired of responding to sightings, but he broke no law & his choice to carry his slung sword everywhere he went was perfectly legal.
Technically, we could have plugged him into a broadly-worded disorderly conduct charge (causing a public alarm), but why bother?
We did have to tell him on the bus occasion that the driver was within his rights to refuse access, but he wasn't making a real fuss or trying to force his way onto the bus, and he understood, but other than that we'd just pretty much confirm no wrong-doing on his part on each call, explain to the complainant that no laws were broken, and stay out of it.
Denis
Joe Demko
Member
A big piece of metal strapped right to your body so you can be absolutely sure to land on it if you go down? Not the first word in motorcycle safety, IMO.
Also, while it is undoubtedly very cinematic for you to wear it there, it isn't the most efffective for ease of draw.
Even if you draw it, who do you plan to engage with it from the bike?
If you must have it, my advice as a motorcyclist is to fasten it to the bike, not to your body.
It depends on your state's laws. I can assure you that you will be regarded as a general wierdo freak who may or may not have violent plans in mind. It may not be fair, but that's how people will judge you.
Maybe a belt sword would best suit your needs: http://www.geekologie.com/2009/03/youre_a_real_ninja_now_the_bel.php
Maybe a belt sword would best suit your needs: http://www.geekologie.com/2009/03/youre_a_real_ninja_now_the_bel.php
If you're riding a motorcycle, you have a place and need for a tool like a large wrench or socket. It's useful, won't make you look like you're mental, and will save space and weight. And will work almost as well as a short sword for defense.
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
Joe Demko:
Think of those swordplay techniques for horseback:
now think of them at 99mph! FULL OF WIN!
Think of those swordplay techniques for horseback:
now think of them at 99mph! FULL OF WIN!
shenandoah
Member
In my small Virginia town there's a family of Sikhs that own a gas station, their residence is about a block away in a dense residential neighborhood. The owners father wears a turban, long robes and a majestic beard. Jutting from the folds of his robe in a jeweled scabbard is a 40 inch yataghan sword. Some local punks made the mistake of mistaking him for a pushover....well, everybody survived and the local punks learned a valuable lesson...as for Dad, the police considered it self defense.
7X57chilmau
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2008
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I'd imagine he'd have found the locals less receptive of his wearing the sword if he wasn't also dressed in traditional Sihk threads.
I'm glad that particular episode worked out well for him. Knowing a few in the C-store business, I'd bet that's but one occasion the yataghan served him well (beautiful graceful blade shape on them!).
J
I'm glad that particular episode worked out well for him. Knowing a few in the C-store business, I'd bet that's but one occasion the yataghan served him well (beautiful graceful blade shape on them!).
J
Jerico
Member
I can't think of anywhere outside of a ren faire that it would be legal to carry a sword. Every state I've lived in has Laws regarding the maximum length and type of blade you can carry. At the VERY least, even if it has no cutting edge to try to skirt the laws, you'll be charged with disturbing the peace.
Its legal in Louisiana.
In Texas maximum blade length allowed is 5 1/2" for general carry. There are exceptions for longer blades, I believe that re-enactments is one. Another would be active engagement in sports (hunting/fishing/etc.).
I've carried sheath knives with 2 1/2" blades and been hassled. I generally just carry pocket-knives unless involved in outside activity, then I have a selection of 4-5 1/2" fixed blades which I legallly carry.
In Texas maximum blade length allowed is 5 1/2" for general carry. There are exceptions for longer blades, I believe that re-enactments is one. Another would be active engagement in sports (hunting/fishing/etc.).
I've carried sheath knives with 2 1/2" blades and been hassled. I generally just carry pocket-knives unless involved in outside activity, then I have a selection of 4-5 1/2" fixed blades which I legallly carry.
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