WA / This knife legal to carry?

[Kangspec]

i mean i have been carry this knife for time to time. But i just wanna make sure.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=14460

 

[rmuzz]

This is the best I could find using my google legal dictionary was this:

RCW 9.41.250
Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.


(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;

(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or

RCW 9.41.270
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.


(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:

(a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business;

(b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;

(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;

(d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or

(e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.

If in doubt maybe try find a cop to ask to confirm, I don't take legal advice serious from internet people... and don't take my word for it by any means. It does sound like your in the clear, but legalise is hard to understand and subject to interpretation. /shrug

 

[MillCreek]

There is no knife pre-emption in Washington state laws. This means that lesser governmental entities can set their own laws regarding knives. As an example, it is illegal to carry any knife with a blade longer than 3.5 inches within the Seattle city limits. You would have to review the county and individual city codes of those jurisdictions in which you wished to carry your Benchmade.

That all being said, if you are carrying any knife concealed, and are not brandishing it, otherwise being stupid with it, or breaking any other laws, your chances of coming into contact with law enforcement are just about nil.

 

[sidheshooter]

As above, check your city codes. So far as I know, Seattle is the most restrictive with the 3.5-inch limit, but I'm no lawyer.

Off the cuff, I'd say that you should be fine; you can buy similar knives from Benchmade in most bigger Washington cities.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Assisted Openers

I have seen any number of assisted openers for sale in Washington. I work in Spokane and occasionally do a sweep of the local sporting goods houses.

Kershaw, Benchmade, Buck, and other assisted opener brands all for sale at places like Sportsman's Warehouse, White Elephant, and so on.

From this, I would conclude that -- at the state level anyway -- there shouldn't be a problem.