Going to Italy, Knife carry laws?

[Big Boomer]

Taking the annual overseas trip and this time it's Italy. Does anyone know what the laws are concerning carrying a pocket knife over there?

If cities are a concern, will be going to Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Lavorno, Milan, Naples, Pisa, and a few others. Not sure on the spelling of those but anyhow the wife wants me to pack something along just in case.

Also in addition what about pepper sprays and such any ideas here?

Thanks in advance...

 

[CWL]

I think that a cane or umbrella will do better for general SD & deterrence. It may even help more if you get mobbed by Gypsie kids to maintain distance.

 

[Giolli Joker]

Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Lavorno, Milan, Naples, Pisa, and a few others

Venezia, Roma, Pompei, Firenze, Livorno, Milano, Napoli, Pisa... these are their Italian names.

I'm Italian and I live in Genova (in English Genoa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genoa) if it's one of your destinations let me know.

However, talking about knife laws, sadly, in Italy you aren't allowed to carry a knife unless you can prove thet you really need it for a task you're going to do (gardening, fishing, hunting, hiking in the woods and so on). Walking through the streets of a city with a knife, even a pocket one, is illegal.
BTW, a simple knife can cause you legal troubles, a double edged one ore an auto are even worse because they're considered proper weapons (as guns) by our laws.

It's better if you follow CWL advice.

If you have other answers, feel free to ask.

 

[Big Boomer]

I will actually be passing through that area on train. But unfortunately no stops

Do you know what the laws regarding pepper spray are?

 

[Giolli Joker]

You can carry pepper sprays, but only those that are only made of pepper (oloresin cpsicum), chemical spray are forbidden.

When are you going to come here to Italy?

 

[Big Boomer]

I'll be there in just a couple of weeks April 8-18th so 10 days. Going to be taking trains between the cities.

Starting in Rome making a big loop and then ending in Rome. Any advice?

 

[106rr]

Boomer;
I posted my experience in Italy with knives in the general discussion thread. Of the cities you mentioned, we visited Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and Pisa. I wouldn't waste any time in Pisa. It has only the tower which is frequently closed. The surrounding square is filled with Chinese made schlock souvenirs. Its pretty crummy. It is however a changeover station for almost every train in Italy. Don't bother staying overnight. It is violent after the soccer games -- stay away from soccer in Italy!
Venice was fabulous and expensive. Go to the American Express Office to arrange a great tour for low bucks. You also can get Gondola rides cheaper there as well. The gondola rides are wildly expensive otherwise. Wear a cheap hat to St Mark's Square as a pigeon defense. Bring a good ATM and an American Express card. The AMEX card allows you to get emergency check cashing for $1500 US. Notify your ATM provider that you are going to Italy and give them the dates,otherwise they will shut off your card for fraud. They will think it is stolen if they suddenly get cash withdrawals from Italy and you live in Idaho.
The espresso is wonderful but you will hate Starbucks after you try the real stuff. You can drink it standing up for 90 cents or sitting for @2.50 Euro. They actually do charge for a seated cup.
Buy the Rick Steves Book for the current year in Italy. I would make a special effort to visit Lake Como when you go to Milan. The wife Will want to shop in Milan. Florence was great. You can get very cheap concert tickets for the local philharmonic because they do concerts in the local churches off hours. Don't pay for the regular performance.
Stay with the train do not rent a car except in Tuscany. You cannot drive in Rome and in most midieval cities. Rome hotel rooms are very expensive get a three star in the downtown area near the Spanish Steps. Check the Rick Steves book fo details.
We visited Val Trompeia and were allowed in to the Beretta ancestal home. It is now a private museum. This is the arms making center of Europe. The nearest big town is Brescia. It has NO tourists and few English speakers. People here are different than Italians. The rest of the towns have many English speakers. Naples is the high crime area! We made reservations based on Rick Steves for the first couple of nights. After that we winged it by asking the innkeepers of every place we stayed to make reservations for us at our next stop. Italian innkeepers have an informal network to do this. It is a free service but of course you must pay for the room.
It will be the experience of a lifetime to make this trip to Italy.

 

[Giolli Joker]

I'll be there in just a couple of weeks April 8-18th so 10 days. Going to be taking trains between the cities.

Starting in Rome making a big loop and then ending in Rome. Any advice?

First of all: try to be here: http://www.exa.it/en/
It's only a "thumbnail" of the SHOT SHOW but maybe you can find something interesting especially if you like some Italian brands like Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, Extrema Ratio... and you can even buy first class custom knives directly from the knifemaker (Santino Ballestra always shows there, for example).
I'll be there, for any answer send me a PM.
BTW, the Show is near Val Trompia (the correct name of the place said by 106rr).


If you like the seaside you should even consider a stop here in Liguria.