Is Philadelphia home to the country's craziest Knife Law?

[Kaybee]

I don't know what the heck is going on over there in Philadelphia, but they made it illegal to have "anything sharp". My friend calls it the Kindergarten Law because he can no longer carry his swiss army or leatherman, or even scissors. Minimum 90 days in jail for "anything sharp"!




Sec. 0-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places. [179]

1. Definition.

Cutting Weapon. Any knife or other cutting instrument which can be used as a weapon that has a cutting edge similar to that of a knife. No tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling shall be considered a cutting weapon while actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling.

2. Prohibited Conduct. No person shall use or possess any cutting weapon upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time.

3. Penalty. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of not less than three hundred (300) dollars and imprisonment of not less than ninety days.

 

[lemaymiami]

I doubt that this particular ordinance will survive a challenge - but I could be wrong... Makes you wonder whether the folks that drafted it had any idea of just how vague it is... If I were still in law enforcement I'd advise my officers not to use this particular statute - unless they had no other choice...

 

[Jack B.]

When was that law put into effect?

 

[Hasaf]

The thing I notice is that it is an illegal cutting weapon at the beginning of the day. Then it becomes a lawfully possessed tool while opening a box, cutting packing straps, or whatever trade use it may have. Then it immediately becomes an illegal cutting weapon again. . . Same person, same tool.

 

[fastbolt]

Is that particular Philadelphia city ordinance was something tweaked to be an "improvement" upon UK knife laws?

How successful has it proven itself to be? No stabbings, slashings or cuttings in the city? Has it prevented local violence with cutting instruments?

 

[Kaybee]

fastbolt I don't know for sure but I am assuming as soon as they heard about it, all criminals dropped all their sharp objects like hot potatoes.

I don't know whats going on over there in Philly, I just read some councilwoman is also trying to make bulletproof glass illegal too.

 

[MedWheeler]

I just read some councilwoman is also trying to make bulletproof glass illegal too.

I think that one already passed, didn't it?

 

[jonnyc]

"No tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling shall be considered a cutting weapon while actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling."

So I guess machetes, butcher knives, and scalpels are all still ok to carry around.
When in Philly, I just drop my knife off the pocket clip and fully into the pocket.

 

[Frank Ettin]

Can someone please supply some concrete, factual, and verifiable information so this can be discussed intelligently? When was this adopted? Is it in effect? Is there any enforcement history?

 

[Kaybee]

The Philadelphia code is found here:
http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/philadelphia_pa/

As far as I can tell the law is at least 5 years old and not longer than 10 years old.

 

[Kaybee]

Many people don't seem to know about it. I'd love to know more about its enforcement. I imagine that it's not easily enforced. Something they can tack on extra when they want to nail someone

Even so, laws like this make me angry. What I've seen in other places like NYC and NJ is that in their effort to reduce crime they create this massive web of bureaucratic paperwork and laws that innocent good people tend to get caught up in. This seems like that kind of thing...

 

[armedwalleye]

So it's legal only when being used for it's intended trade related purpose? What about when that purpose is concluded??? Now illegal?? Seems like there's a LOT of leeway...

 

[Kaybee]

So it's legal only when being used for it's intended trade related purpose? What about when that purpose is concluded??? Now illegal?? Seems like there's a LOT of leeway...

Yes, we've seen laws like this abused against good people in other places.


Another Electrician Arrested for Carrying Knife He Uses to Do His Job
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/loc...vestigation-Weapon-Death-Crime-382111151.html