Those are not recommended sources for advice on such subjects.
Tell us - what knives on you RIGHT NOW!
- Thread starter bikerdoc
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The Hand Gunner
member
Umm how? They are the law of AZ. Now I've done my research and called them to verify it. So how are they not recommended source's?
From one of our ST&T Sticky threads:
"As a framework for all of this, know the law, and if you threaten or use force, deadly or otherwise, to protect yourself or others, be sure that you meet all of the required elements of the legal defense of self defense.
"That means both the use of force law and the firearms law in any jurisdiction into which one may travel. One should not, however, rely too much on a lay person's interpretations of state codes taken out of context, without the benefit of a competent explanation of the relevant jury instructions and appellate court rulings.
"It would not be prudent to take the word of most law enforcement officers. As a matter of fact, very few practicing criminal defense attorneys have much in the way of knowledge of the legal defense of self defense."
I would expect most competent law enforcement officers to have a reasonably good understanding of laws relative to the possession and carrying of firearms in their jurisdictions, but I would not expect hem to have any basis for understanding the rules about less common non-firearm weapons."That means both the use of force law and the firearms law in any jurisdiction into which one may travel. One should not, however, rely too much on a lay person's interpretations of state codes taken out of context, without the benefit of a competent explanation of the relevant jury instructions and appellate court rulings.
"It would not be prudent to take the word of most law enforcement officers. As a matter of fact, very few practicing criminal defense attorneys have much in the way of knowledge of the legal defense of self defense."
And then there is the little issue of what kinds of moves or actions with a blade might be considered unlawful....
A standard and practical choice, I carry one as well
Olon
Member
Doesn't have the reach of a katana but life is about choices and it's a compromise I'm willing to make. YMMV
The Hand Gunner
member
Well as I've stated (possibly elsewhere on this website I say because I have several threads open) I've been carrying this weapon for years and haven't run affowl of the law yet. So unless it suddenly changes I'll still be carrying my katana and single action revolver for self defense.
That's hardly a basis for drawing any conclusions RE: legality.
Regarding carrying per se, that's not likely to be an issue in AZ.
The area in which problems would be expected to arise would involve putting one's hand on it, referring to it, etc., in a manner that would constitute aggravated assault unless it were lawfully justified by immediate necessity to defend against an imminent treat of death or serious bodily harm.
The Hand Gunner
member
Well there's also the AZ knife laws that I looked into very thoroughly before deciding to carry this weapon. Personally I don't care what others think of me but don't call me a lier.
See the edited post.
The Hand Gunner
member
And I can agree with that which is why I never do anything that can even be misconstrued as hostile with this weapon while I'm out with it. I treat it with the same respect as my firearms, never touch it unless I intend to use it and don't go brandishing it about all willy nilly.
Indicating, I guess, that you have not been put into a situation in which you have had reason to need the thing in the first place. Good.
Be aware that in AZ, one need not touch the thing to be charged with aggravated assault.
Ok, I checked with an expert friend in AZ, he helped remove blade length laws in AZ and has been doing it across the USA. He is an actual expert witness on AZ blade laws.
He says that while there are no blade length restrictions in AZ , any other criminal activity, like an Adderall without a prescription or a misdemeanor drug possession or a marginal public intoxication CAN cause the otherwise legal to carry katana to become a deadly weapon charge add on. If you engage in none of those you can still encounter the occasional "This is my county/city" LE that can drag you in and make it costly to avoid prosecution for some thin charge they can add the deadly weapon onto to plus up the charges. If you stick to areas where you're known and liked by LE then that's less likely until a new officer shows up and isn't familiar with you.
So in summary, Yes a katana is legal to carry in AZ. BUT if you get stopped on any other charge it can become reclassified as carrying a deadly weapon while "insert illegal activity".
toivo
Member
Case medium Stockman:
It's my "lounging around the house in sweatpants" knife.
It's my "lounging around the house in sweatpants" knife.
I've been using this $20 Spanish folder today and the only thing I can complain about is that it is so light I've forgotten it was in my pocket and that it doesn't have a lock.
The Hand Gunner
member
sgt127
Member
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- Apr 29, 2003
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I like Katanas. I have a very nice one. It’s about 400 years old. It’s been carried quite a bit, in a Dojo. I studied Jujitsu, Ken Jitsu and Iaido for many years.
I honestly can’t imagine anything much more impractical than carrying a three foot long sword around every day in public.
I also cannot think of a scenario where I feel a sword is a superior weapon to a good firearm in modern society.
I’ve also carried a gun for over 40 years of my life. And, out of uniform, I strive to be invisible. I want to be the grey man.
You said:
“I've even had people come up to me telling me that they felt safe knowing someone was armed and knowledgeable In the weapons use.”
That is exactly the opposite reaction I would expect
Trunk Monkey
member
Buck 110 Slim
Madcap_Magician
Member
I really love the Bloodshark design, but I cannot wrap my head around how a cord-wrapped, stock removal knife can command a $1,500 price tag.
Huevos
Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2003
- Messages
- 54
Well, I didn't pay that much for it and after 4 years of sitting in my safe I decided to list it and the trainer for sale for 1500.00 a few months back (thinking along the same lines regarding value). While doing some research to verify it was genuine and not a knock off I watched a video by Tracker Dan. It was pretty interesting on the how's and why's of the design so I decided to keep it and start carrying it. Now I'm a believer and to your point, as far as I'm concerned anyway, it's the design. From the grinds to the cord wrap to the sheath. Disappears on my waistband and no need even for a belt, I usually forget it's even on. The fact that there aren't a lot of them also drives the price up.
The problem with wearing really expensive knives is that you can lose them. A friend of mine had a high end something on when we were riding a jeep at night over the rock landscape of the TX hill country. Somehow it got away from him, never to be found as it bounced into the darkness. If I'm in the woods, if I lose it - I don't want to cry over it.
I appreciate a finely wrought knife, but when you think of what $30-$50 buys these days, no need to risk the art pieces. I enjoy the tactile and visual detail of a well made custom bolt action, but when it's time to crawl and climb, the synthetic stainless lets me concentrate on what's important.
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