Knife clip exposed: legality?
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bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
In Va auto is a no-no, clips dont get a second look.
kingpin008
Member
Same in MD. Unless you're directly interacting with a cop, having a knife clip visible isn't an issue - and it'd likely not be an issue even to the cop. Autos are a no-no, however.
nalioth
Member
Exposed pocket knife clips are as legal as exposed belly buttons and unrestrained children in the grocery store in the free states.
Can't speak to the tryin-to-be-commie states, though.
Can't speak to the tryin-to-be-commie states, though.
dcdub
Member
I am in NC and often SC and have never had an issue with this with law enforcement. I go to many concerts and have been stopped going into one in Asheville (freakshow) once. I could have had my kel tec in my waistband and they never would have known, and my Leatherman wasn't in issue, but they saw the clip and asked me to hide it in the bushes. As far as autos go here, I'm pretty sure they're illegal unless you're LEO or EMT/Paramedic.
xcgates
Member
In other words, if you haven't figured it out by now, knife laws are even more arbitrary and fragmented than firearm laws, at least as far as I've figured.
I'm not entirely sure about why, but I suspect it was because knives aren't as sexy at high levels of government as evil guns.
Even so, I carry one standard folder (Gerber Paraframe), and one assisted opener (another Gerber, but looking to replace it.). I don't worry too much about where I go, and if I look like I'm going to be somewhere with security, I either ditch them somewhere recoverable, or (like I did at one amusement park) stashed the knives in the same pocket as my flashlight. Metal detector went crazy, I mention a metal flashlight, and get passed through.
Granted I never spent much time in cities until movie to San Antonio, so I never really worried about what I was carrying. (Try finding someone in rural America that doesn't have at least a knife.)
::EDIT:: I am thinking about getting a dark Kershaw Leek, as I had one I loved, and mostly wear dark colored clothes, so the clip would blend in better. That and I can get that sheath for it cheaply and easily.
I'm not entirely sure about why, but I suspect it was because knives aren't as sexy at high levels of government as evil guns.
Even so, I carry one standard folder (Gerber Paraframe), and one assisted opener (another Gerber, but looking to replace it.). I don't worry too much about where I go, and if I look like I'm going to be somewhere with security, I either ditch them somewhere recoverable, or (like I did at one amusement park) stashed the knives in the same pocket as my flashlight. Metal detector went crazy, I mention a metal flashlight, and get passed through.
Granted I never spent much time in cities until movie to San Antonio, so I never really worried about what I was carrying. (Try finding someone in rural America that doesn't have at least a knife.)
::EDIT:: I am thinking about getting a dark Kershaw Leek, as I had one I loved, and mostly wear dark colored clothes, so the clip would blend in better. That and I can get that sheath for it cheaply and easily.
dayid
Member
Since you are in the state of Florida, I'll post what Florida cares about:
As there are no other laws that note anything illegal about carrying a "common pocketknife", it is legal. There's nothing in the lawbooks about it being visible or concealed. There is no definition of "common pocketknife" in Florida state statutes; however,
So, here you'll have to hope on people recognizing what a "common pocketknife" is. The idea here is to stop idiots from carrying about swords, huge fixed-blade knives, etc.
Statute 790.001 said:
As there are no other laws that note anything illegal about carrying a "common pocketknife", it is legal. There's nothing in the lawbooks about it being visible or concealed. There is no definition of "common pocketknife" in Florida state statutes; however,
L. B. v. State said:
So, here you'll have to hope on people recognizing what a "common pocketknife" is. The idea here is to stop idiots from carrying about swords, huge fixed-blade knives, etc.
In California, an auto would be a serious problem. But a concealed folder, even with the clip showing, is just fine under state law.
leadcounsel
member
Seems it would be a good argument that it wasn't concealed, otherwise the officer couldn't see it!
BigRugerLover
Member
I'm told that in New York City it is an invitation to getting frisked, and if the COP can open your knife with one hand then you have an arrest and weapons charge to deal with.
+BRL
+BRL
The NYC Administrative Code prohibits carrying visible knives unless you are actually using the knife, or are carrying it for specified recreational or occupational endeavors. This has been on the books since Koch but has been enforced with greater vigor recently. When you are stopped, and the cops check the knife, they can (and likely will) charge you with CPW if the knife can be flicked open (either by holding the handle or blade, per case law) since that qualified it under the statutory definition of a gravity knife.
Black Toe Knives
Member
NYC, Second the big NO NO
Flintknapper
Member
xcgates wrote:
I don't know if you are aware, but San Antonio has a city ordinance prohibiting all knives that "lock" open.
You are absolutely right. I wish all states had preemptive knife laws.
I don't know if you are aware, but San Antonio has a city ordinance prohibiting all knives that "lock" open.
Owen Sparks
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Flintknapper said:
What does that mean?
What does that mean?
earlthegoat2
Member
As long as autos are legal and the size is legal I see no problem.
No one person knows all the knife laws for all localities. It's simply not possible in the U.S. because cities all have their own knife laws. But I'm not aware of any place that has a rule about unconcealed knives and the knife clip makes it unconcealed.
shotgunjoel
Member
I don't think that there are any folding knives in the world that couldn't be opened with one hand somehow. Even a Buck style with the heel lock can be opened one handed.
Im so glad I live in Missouri. I didn't even realize there were laws about carryin knives til I read this thread. The only trouble I ever had with a knife was when I went through the metal detector at the courthouse with one when I was 12 or 13. The deputy just offered to hang on to it til I came back out to save me a trip back to mom's car.
thorn726
Member
i could definitely see a cop who was looking to be a pain call that "concealed" in the city, but flicked open is supposed to be OK (here) and a legal folder is legal to conceal, so no problem as long as it is under 3 inches or whatever your locality says (love Berkeley jerk rules, it's 2.5 inches here, then the UC adds extra troubles on campus)
TROUBLE is cop deciding he wants to know how long it is since he cant see it, but sees enough of it.
TROUBLE is cop deciding he wants to know how long it is since he cant see it, but sees enough of it.
Guillermo
member
knife laws are stupid but since we have to live with them I guess they must be addressed. (sigh)
logically speaking I don't see how a clip makes the knife "exposed". Lots of things have clips.
Just because logic dictates something does not mean that there is not an issue with a cop. They often do not know the law. Post 11 pretty much answers your question in Florida.
And in Florida doesn't have a concealed handgun law...it is a concealed WEAPON law. Just make sure it is concealed and you can carry a cudgel.
logically speaking I don't see how a clip makes the knife "exposed". Lots of things have clips.
Just because logic dictates something does not mean that there is not an issue with a cop. They often do not know the law. Post 11 pretty much answers your question in Florida.
And in Florida doesn't have a concealed handgun law...it is a concealed WEAPON law. Just make sure it is concealed and you can carry a cudgel.
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