OFF THE WIRE VIDEO https://youtu.be/wzSgLpNrr2E RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) -- You could be just about anywhere and data on your cell phone can be scooped up by law enforcement without your ever knowing. It happens all the time. The device that makes it possible is called a "cell site simulator." That's the generic name; Stingray is the most common brand name. Initially developed for military use, Stingrays have made their way into local police and sheriff's departments around the country. Months ago, the I-Team sent open records requests to every law enforcement agency in our viewing area and learned that three agencies close to home have been using cell site simulators: the Wake County Sheriff's Department, Durham Police Department, and Raleigh Police Department. A spokesperson for RPD told the I-Team they stopped using theirs when the software needed to be upgraded. The ACLU's Mike Meno has been watching Stingrays spread into local law enforcement for years. "Like a lot of militarized technology and surveillance technology, this is something that was developed overseas and it was developed for one use, but then it comes back home and is used against our own citizens. It's used here in the States. And the government will say, 'We need to keep this confidential,' but we have constitutional rights. We're supposed to have checks and balances," he said. http://abc11.com/1968769/
What motivates the people who make up the content contributors found in "The 1% Rule?" Perhaps the following story offers some clues. (This is an excerpt from our forthcoming book "Citizen Marketers.")
As a patch, it’s pretty simple: A diamond shape surrounded by a blue border, with "1%" embroidered in the middle. It's worn over the heart by members of motorcycle clubs that celebrate their outlaw status from mainstream motorcycle society. They call themselves the "One Percenters."
The inspiration for the patch and its meaning can be traced to 1947, when members of the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington motorcycle club and the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, showed up in Hollister, California, for that town's annual motorcycle race. As parties involving beer in summer heat sometimes do, things got out of hand.
A photographer for Life magazine happened to be attending the race and snapped a picture of a drunken biker perched atop a Harley Davidson, surrounded by broken beer bottles. The photo was published in Life with a caption that read, "Cyclist's Holiday: He and Friends Terrorize Town." A brief story accompanying the photo said 4,000 members of a motorcycle club were responsible for destructive mayhem. The photo and story provoked the American Motorcyclists Association to denounce the boozed-up bikers. It assured worried citizens that 99 percent of its members were law-abiding citizens, thereby marginalizing the remaining "1 percent" as outlaws.
The story has been the inspiration and founding principle for outlaw motorcycle clubs around the world. One Percenters organize and wear their patches as the proverbial finger raised toward society’s expectations of them. For decades, the story of what happened in Hollister has been repeated by numerous writers in magazines and newspapers, codifying its legend.
William L. Dulaney, a visiting professor at Western Carolina University spent months researching the history of the One Percenters for the academic periodical, "The International Journal of Motorcycle Studies." From months spent conducting field research around the United States, and having spent years as a member of an outlaw motorcycle club himself, he argues that contemporary One Percenters in "outlaw" motorcycle gangs are not necessarily pro-criminal, they are anti-bureaucracy. They rebel against the commonality of mainstream expectations.
Furthermore, the One Percenter clubs are organized around the idea of a community, and their unconventional lives and motorcycle lifestyles are reinforced by the strong-as-steel bonds with other members. They revel, sometimes raucously in beer-soaked pandemonium, in a culture that conventional society frowns on. Forget seeking the approval of conventional governing bodies; the One Percenters revel in their minority status.
They are outlaws of culture.
Dulaney surprises us, though, by debunking parts of the Hollister legend. The photo of the drunken biker? The Life photographer staged it. There was rowdiness in Hollister on that fateful weekend, but police made only one arrest. And there’s no evidence the American Motorcyclists Association denounced the bikers, one percent or otherwise. The source of "1%" was likely due a letter to the editor that Life ran in a subsequent edition, taking the magazine to task for its coverage of Hollister. The letter writer wrote, "We regretfully acknowledge there was disorder in Hollister – not the acts of 4,000 motorcyclists, but rather of a small percentage of that number." Someone, somewhere, interpreted that to mean one percent and it stuck.
Even if the facts about Hollister were off, its premise still resonated with a slice of American culture. Today, earning a One Percenter patch is a badge of social status that continues on in a tiny number of American motorcyclist communities.
What they do is beyond the norm. Sometimes there is little recognition, but they are dedicated to and protective of their work and the community they're involved in. They excel on the edges of culture even if their percentage as content creators is little more than a rounding error to some companies. Numbers-wise, they are not huge, but the impact of their work can be.
(In a follow-up post, we'll look at the One Percenters and Netscape's desire to hire them.)
Update: This post showed up on the front page of Digg yesterday (thanks Bloodjunkie), and it sparked a -- let's say interesting -- round of 100+ comments within the Digg community. Ian Delaney sorts through some of them.
Update 2: A big hat tip to Colin McKay for the pointer to a story about the One Percenters who are going through a transition in Kansas City. It was his pointer that led us down the path toward this post. I'm a dope for not including a hat tip to him when this was first published.
OFF THE WIRE MSNBC correspondent Jeremy Lancaster sat down with government official Darrin Cornia to discuss recent rumors that have been in circulation in regard to registered motorcycle owners being placed on a classified FBI gang list.
Darrin Cornia who currently holds a position within the National Security Branch of the government agreed to complete transparency prior to the interview with MSNBC’s Jeremy Lancaster and did remain direct and seemingly forthright throughout his conversation with Lancaster.
After a few moments of introduction, Lancaster bluntly asked the following question,” Mr. Cornia, if I were to make the statement, all registered motorcycle owners are currently showing on a classified FBI gang list, would the statement be true or false?
Cornia responded by saying, “That would be a true statement, the FBI has been collecting and compiling Department of Motor Vehicles and Drivers License Division records for the purpose of adding those that own motorcycles to a classified gang list since 1994.
Lancaster asked Cornia to explain the reasoning behind the list which seems inappropriately broad, to Cornia answered the question with the following statement, “It’s nothing more than collecting and utilizing data. We may not like to admit it, but the truth of the matter is that those that own and operate motorcycles are 67% more likely to be involved in illegal or criminal activity than those that do not own or operate a motorcycle.”
The National Security Official went on to explain, “It’s the same as firearms, if local P.D or Highway Patrol were to pull someone over that is a registered firearm owner, that officer has the right to know this information going into the interaction, the same could be said about a local P.D or Highway Patrol Officer that pulled over a registered motorcycle owner, the situations are honestly interchangeable in the eyes of National and Homeland Security.
MSNBC correspondent Jeremy Lancaster asked Cornia if placing citizens on a gang list just because they are registered motorcycle owners is considered as profiling, Cornia responded to the question by saying, “as a nation do we complain when we add someone that has a Crips or Bloods tattoo to a gang list even though the individual swears up and down that they don’t have gang affiliation? Again these are 2 situations that are interchangeable, we can’t pick and choose.”
Lancaster asked how individuals can find out if they are on this classified gang list to which Cornia responded, “Did you register a motorcycle or obtain a Class M license anytime between the year 1994 and 2015? If so, than you are on the list.”
The MSNBC correspondent concluded the interview by asking Cornia, “aside from potential profiling from law enforcement, are there potentially any additional consequences of being on this gang list?” Cornia responded by saying, “the purpose of the list is to collect and utilize data, not to create consequences. Aside from notifying law enforcement that you are a registered motorcycle owner or operator, it can show up to potential employers on select background checks.”
NOTE: This is the defininition given in Wiki-pedia, if you belive anything to be an error, please e-mail us and we will check it out. One Percenters, Gangs and Outlaws.
Motorcycle clubs are often perceived as criminal organizations or, at best, gangs of hoodlums or thugs by traditional society. This perception has been fueled by the movies, popular culture, and highly publicized isolated incidents, the earliest of which was a brawl in Hollister, California in 1947 between members of the Boozefighters MC (motto: a drinking club with a motorcycle problem) and the Pissed Off Bastards MC (precursor to the Hells Angels). The press asked the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) to comment, and their response was that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, and the last one percent were outlaws. Thus was born the term, "one percenter".
During the 1940's and 1950's, at rallies and gatherings sponsored by the AMA, prizes were awarded for nicest club uniform, prettiest motorcycle, and so forth. Some clubs, however, rejected the clean-cut image and adopted the "one percenter" moniker, even going so far as to create a diamond (rhombus) shaped patch labeled "1%" to wear on their vests as a badge of honor.
The 1% patch is also used to instill fear and respect from the general public and other motorcyclists. Other clubs wore (and still wear) upside down AMA patches.
*Another practice was to cut their one piece club patches into three or more pieces as a form of protest, which evolved into the current form of three piece colors worn by many MCs today. One percent clubs point out that the term simply means that they are simply committed to "biking and brotherhood", where riding isn't a weekend activity, but a way of living. These clubs assert that local and national law enforcement agencies have co-opted the term to paint them as criminals.
While it is a fact that individual members of some MCs, and even entire chapters have engaged in felonious behavior, other members and supporters of these clubs insist that these are isolated occurrences and that the clubs, as a whole, are not criminal organizations. They often compare themselves to police departments, wherein the occasional "bad cop" does not make a police department a criminal organization, either.
At least one biker website has a news section devoted to "cops gone bad" to support their point of view. Many one percenter clubs, including the Hells Angels, sponsor charitable events throughout the year for such causes as Salvation Army shelters and Toys for Tots.
Alternatively, both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) have designated certain MCs as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), among them the Pagans, Hells Angels, Outlaws MC, and Bandidos.
Canada, especially, has experienced a significant upsurge in crime involving members and associates of these MCs, most notably in what has been dubbed the Quebec Biker war. Some members of the Hells Angels MC have been indicted on various charges, including RICO charges, murder, robbery, extortion, trafficking in stolen and VIN-switched motorcycles, methamphetamine and cocaine distribution.
In April, 2006, eight members or associates of the Bandidos MC were found murdered in a farm field in Ontario, Canada in what police have described as an internal cleansing of the Bandidos organization. One of the men charged with the murders is, himself, a Bandidos MC full patch member.
As recently as September 29, 2006, the president and another officer of the San Francisco chapter of the Hells Angels were indicted on charges of methamphetamine and cocaine distribution.
Why the Marine Hymn Contains the Verse "To the Shores of Tripoli"
Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over two hundred years ago the United States had declared war on Islam and Thomas Jefferson led the charge! At the height of the eighteenth century, Muslim pirates were the terror of the Mediterranean and a large area of the North Atlantic. They attacked every ship in sight, and held the crews for exorbitant ransoms. Those taken hostage were subjected to barbaric treatment and wrote heart-breaking letters home, begging their government and family members to pay whatever their Mohammedan captors demanded. These extortionists of the high seas represented the Islamic nations of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers – collectively referred to as the Barbary Coast – and presented a dangerous and unprovoked threat to the new American Republic. Before the Revolutionary War, U.S. merchant ships had been under the protection of Great Britain. When the U.S. declared its independence and entered into war, the ships of the United States were protected by France. However, once the war was won, America had to protect its own fleets. Thus, the birth of the U.S. Navy. Beginning in 1784, seventeen years before he would become president, Thomas Jefferson became America’s Minister to France. That same year, the U.S. Congress sought to appease its Muslim adversaries by following in the footsteps of European nations who paid bribes to the Barbary States rather than engaging them in war. In July of 1785, Algerian pirates captured American ships, and the Dye of Algiers demanded an unheard-of ransom of $60,000. It was a plain and simple case of extortion, and Thomas Jefferson was vehemently opposed to any further payments. Instead, he proposed to Congress the formation of a coalition of allied nations who together could force the Islamic states into peace. A disinterested Congress decided to pay the ransom. In 1786, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams met with Tripoli’s ambassador to Great Britain to ask by what right his nation attacked American ships and enslaved American citizens, and why Muslims held so much hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts. The two future presidents reported that Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja had answered that Islam "was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Quran that all nations who would not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise." Despite this stunning admission of premeditated violence on non-Muslim nations, as well as the objections of many notable American leaders, including George Washington, who warned that caving in was both wrong and would only further embolden the enemy, for the following fifteen years the American government paid the Muslims millions of dollars for the safe passage of American ships or the return of American hostages. The payments in ransom and tribute amounted to over twenty percent of the United States government annual revenues in 1800. Jefferson was disgusted. Shortly after his being sworn in as the third President of the United States in 1801, the Pasha of Tripoli sent him a note demanding the immediate payment of $225,000 plus $25,000 a year for every year forthcoming. That changed everything. Jefferson let the Pasha know, in no uncertain terms, what he could do with his demand. The Pasha responded by cutting down the flagpole at the American consulate and declared war on the United States. Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers immediately followed suit. Jefferson, until now, had been against America raising a naval force for anything beyond coastal defense, but, having watched his nation be cowed by Islamic thugery for long enough, decided that is was finally time to meet force with force. He dispatched a squadron of frigates to the Mediterranean and taught the Muslim nations of the Barbary Coast a lesson he hoped they would never forget. Congress authorized Jefferson to empower U.S. ships to seize all vessels and goods of the Pasha of Tripoli and to “cause to be done all other acts of precaution or hostility as the state of war would justify”. When Algiers and Tunis, who were both accustomed to American cowardice and acquiescence, saw the newly independent United States had both the will and the right to strike back, they quickly abandoned their allegiance to Tripoli. The war with Tripoli lasted for four more years, and raged up again in 1815. The bravery of the U.S. Marine Corps in these wars led to the line “to the shores of Tripoli” in the Marine Hymn, and they would forever be known as “leathernecks” for the leather collars of their uniforms, designed to prevent their heads from being cut off by the Muslim scimitars when boarding enemy ships. Islam, and what its Barbary followers justified doing in the name of their prophet and their god, disturbed Jefferson quite deeply. America had a tradition of religious tolerance, the fact that Jefferson, himself, had co-authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, but fundamentalist Islam was like no other religion the world had ever seen. A religion based on supremacism, whose holy book not only condoned but mandated violence against unbelievers, was unacceptable to him. His greatest fear was that someday this brand of Islam would return and pose an even greater threat to the United States. This should bother every American. That Muslims have brought about women-only classes and swimming times at taxpayer-funded universities and public pools; that Christians, Jews, and Hindus have been banned from serving on juries where Muslim defendants are being judged; Piggy banks and Porky Pig tissue dispensers have been banned from workplaces because they offend Islamist sensibilities; ice cream has been discontinued at certain Burger King locations because the picture on the wrapper looks similar to the Arabic script for Allah; public schools are pulling pork from their menus; on and on and on and on…. It’s death by a thousand cuts, or inch-by-inch as some refer to it, and most Americans have no idea that this battle is being waged every day across America. By not fighting back, by allowing groups to obfuscate what is really happening, and not insisting that the Islamists adapt to our own culture, the United States is cutting its own throat with a politically correct knife, and helping to further the Islamists agenda. Sadly, it appears that today’s America's leaders would rather be politically correct than victorious! Any doubts, just "Google Thomas Jefferson vs. the Muslim World."
Info for TN has been updated state Senate bill 1771 allows switchblade but if it's used in the commission of a felony it's a $6,000 fine, this bill also allows blades longer then 4 inches. and as far as I know allows open or conceal carry
All State Knife Laws – Interactive Map with Knife Laws by State:
Find more detailed information here, including an interactive map:
texas-knife-laws-state-knife-laws-by-state
US Knife Laws- State Knife Laws by State
1. Alabama Knife Laws
What is Legal
Alabama has one of the best knife laws in the US.If you don’t like legal speak, here is the basics of what are legal under Alabama knife laws.
Balisongs/butterfly knives are legal. Switchblades, gravity knives, automatic and assisted opening knives are legal. Stilettos, dirks, and toothpick knives are legal. All folding knives are legal. Bowies are legal if carried open (like on your hip). Bowies are legal to carry concealed if you are on your own property. Double sided knives are legal, no matter the size. If the knife fits in your pocket, it is legal. Out the front knives are legal. What is Illegal
Here are notes on what kinds of knives are illegal under Alabama knife laws.
Bowies and things that are like Bowies are illegal if concealed. Bowies are illegal to have in your vehicle. A machete might be classified as a Bowie and it would be illegal if you carry it concealed. A 11″ butcher knife has be found to be like a Bowie in court so don’t plan on using it in a crime. Selling Bowies to people under 18 is illegal. 2. Alaska Knife Laws
What is Legal/Illegal in Alaska
Pocket knives are legal. Balisongs are in a legal gray area. Stilettos and dirks are in a legal gray area. Out the front knives are in a legal gray area. Bowie knives are in a legal gray area. Large knives are in a legal gray area. Gravity knives are illegal. Switchblades are illegal. Above is a brief review of Alaska knife law. The law specifically states that pocketknives are legal to both own and conceal carry. It also states that gravity knives and switchblades are illegal to own. Other types of knives are not outright banned, but may fall under the “deadly weapons” or “dangerous instrument” category. Alaska’s definition of a deadly weapon is a bit vague and depends a lot on court precedence as well as how crafty your lawyer is. For instance in Liddicoat v. State, the Court held that a steak knife was a deadly weapon. It’s definition of a dangerous instrument is not much clearer, and much of the law rests on Court decisions, not the statutes.
3. Arizona Knife Laws
What is Legal/Illegal in Arizona
Pocket knives are legal. Balisong knives are legal. Switchblades, gravity knives, Bowie knives, and stilettos are legal. Knives of any length are legal. It is legal for anyone over 21 to carry knives concealed. It is illegal to not inform a police officer when they stop you that you are carrying a concealed knife when the knife is not a pocket knife. It is illegal for someone under 21 years of age to carry a non-pocket knife concealed. It is illegal to bring a knife into schools. Outside of what is listed above, it is illegal to use a knife to commit a behavior that is already illegal. What this means is that it is illegal to rob a bank with a knife and you will be penalized more severely than if you robbed a bank without a weapon.
4. Arkansas Knife Laws
What are Legal Knives Under Arkansas Knife Law
Balisongs are legal. Switchblades, automatic knives, gravity knives, and similar knives are legal. Dinks, stilettos, and other stabbing knives are legal. Bowies and other large knives are legal. Knives of all sizes are legal. Basically, if it has a blade, it is legal.
5. California Knife Laws
Legal Knives in California
Bowie knives are legal. Large knives are legal (no restrictions in size). Carrying knives in the open is legal in California. Carrying knives concealed is legal in California for most knives. Illegal Knives under California Knife Law
Misleading knives are illegal. These include: cane knives (and shobi-zues), lipstick knives, belt knives, pen knives, air gauge knives, and pen knives. All undetectable knives are illegal. These include knives that won’t set off metal detectors. Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are illegal. Ballistic knives are illegal. What the law is trying to get at are knives usually used by criminals to commit crimes. These are knives that don’t look like knives or don’t have a use as a tool. For example, you can’t do much with a dagger besides stab things.
6. Colorado Knife Laws
These knives are legal to own:
Dirks, daggers, push knives and stilettos are legal. Bowie knives and other large blades are legal. Disguised knives like belt knives, pen knives, cane knives, and lipstick knives are legal. Balisong/buterfly knives are in a legal gray area. Ballistic knives are illegal. Gravity knives and switchblades are illegal. These knives are illegal to carry concealed:
All knives less than 3.5 inches are legal. All fishing and hunting knives of any length are legal. All knives over 3.5 inches are illegal. 7. Connecticut Knife Laws
All Knives Are Legal to Own:
Balisongs, automatic knives, gravity knives, and switchblades are legal to own. Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and push knives are legal to own. Disguised knives like lipstick knives, cane knives, and boot knives are legal to own. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal to own. Basically, any knife is legal to own and have in your home. Some Knives Can Not be Carried (Open or Concealed):
Automatic knives over 1.5 inches are illegal. Switchblades over 1.5 inches are illegal. Stilettos are illegal. Blades longer than 4 inches are illegal. 8. Delaware Knife Laws
Knives that are Banned in Delaware
Balisong knives are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane knives are legal. Throwing knives are legal. Stilettos, dinks and daggers are legal. Knives that will not set off metal detectors and have a point tip are illegal. Knives with brass knuckles are illegal. Switchblades and gravity knives are illegal. Throwing stars are illegal. If a knife does not fall into any of the illegal categories above, it is legal to own.
Limits to Carrying Knives
It is legal to carry a 3 inch pocket knife concealed. Other than a 3 inch pocket knife, carrying any other type of knife concealed is illegal. If the knife is not banned, you can carry it in the open. Only concealed carry is limited. Concealed means close enough by you that you can readily use it while being covered by something. Having a knife in your car counts as being concealed.
9.Florida Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Balisong knives are legal. Belt knives, cane knives, and other disguised knives are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal. Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors) are legal. Ballistic knives are illegal. The law does not limit individuals from owning, selling, or buying any knife except for ballistic knives.
Limits on Carry
You can open carry any knife. Box cutters, multi-tools, and other work knives are legal to carry concealed. In most cases, conceal carry of a common pocket knife with a blade of less than 4 inches is legal. Anything outside of this has not been expressly banned or allowed. 10.Georgia Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Georgia
Balisong knives, often called butterfly knives, are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal. Disguised knives such as cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal. Push knives, stilettos, switchblades, dirks, and daggers are legal. Spring powered ballistic knives are legal. Knives that are undetectable with a metal detector are legal. In Georgia, there are no limits on the possession of knives. You can own any knife you want. There are only limits on carry knives.
Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, a knife that is larger than 5 inches without a permit. For knives greater than 5 inches, you need a weapons permit. 11.Hawaii Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and push knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives (knives that won’t set off metal detectors). It is legal to own dirks, daggers, and stilettos. It is illegal to own balisong knives. It is illegal to own switchblades Only balisongs and switchblades are banned in Hawaii. Any other type of knife is legal.
Limits on Carry
You can open carry any knife. You can not conceal carry dirks, daggers and knives similar to that. You can not conceal carry knives with knuckles like some WWI trench knives. You can conceal any other type of knife. 12.Idaho Knife Laws
No Knife Ban
Balisong knives are legal. Switchblades, automatic knives, and other quick release knives are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal. Stilettos, dirks, and other stabbing knives are legal. Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, cane knives, and key knives are legal. Spring powered ballistic knives are legal. Pocket knives of any size are legal. Age Restrictions on Possession
Need parental consent to possess a bowie or dirk if under 18. Can not possess a bowie or dirk if under 12 unless your parents are with you. There is no ban on the possession of any type of knife in Idaho. You can buy and own any knife you want. However, taking it outside of the house is a different situation…
Limits on Carry
It is legal to open carry any knife. It is illegal to bring any knife (open or concealed) besides a 2.5″ pocket knife to school. It is illegal to conceal carry any dirk, bowie, or dangerous weapon. It is illegal to conceal carry a knife, even if you have a permit, when intoxicated 13. Illinois Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Illinois
Balisong knives are legal. Disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal. Throwing knives are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Throwing stars are illegal. Ballistic knives are illegal. Switchblades and other automatic knives are illegal. The state of Illinois only banned the possession of throwing stars, switchblades, ballistic knives, and knives that open with a press of the button.
Limits on Carry
You can carry any knife as long as it is not one of the banned knives listed above and that you do not have the intent to harm someone or break the law. The law goes into more details on this…
14. Indiana Knife Laws
What is Legal
Balisong knives are legal. Bowie knive are legal. Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal. Assisted knives are legal. Disguised knives like cane knives, lipstick knives, and belt knives are legal. Switchblades and other automatic knives are legal. What is Illegal
Ballistic knives are illegal. Throwing stars are illegal. Restriction on Carry
There are no limits to concealed or open carry as long as you do not bring a knife to school. The Indiana state code is available for anyone to read online but the excerpts below contains the code as well as an explanation.
15. Iowa Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Balisong knives are legal. Switchblades and automatic knives are legal. Dirks, daggers, stilettos and other stabbing knives are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal. Ballistic knives are illegal. Only ballistic knives are outlawed in Iowa law.
Limits on Carry
It is legal to open carry any knife. It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade. It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger or stiletto. It is illegal to conceal carry a knife whos blade is greater than 5 inches. It is illegal to conceal carry a balisong knife. It is illegal to conceal carry disguised knives like cane swords and lipstick knives. 16. Kansas Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own Bowies and other large knives. It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane swords. It is legal to own switchblades and other automatic knives. It is legal to own gravity knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors). What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own ballistic knives. It is illegal to own throwing stars 17. Kentucky Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own ballistic knives. It is legal to own balisong knives. It is legal to own switchblades and other automatic knives. It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors). It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. There are no banned knife types in Kentucky.
What is Legal to Carry
It is legal to open carry any knife. It is legal to conceal carry any ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife. Anything besides a pocket or hunting knife can be considered a deadly weapon and would be banned from concealed carry. 18. Louisiana Knife Laws
What is Legal/Illegal to Own
It is legal to own Balisong knives, also called butterfly knives. It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives. It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. It is illegal to own switchblades and other automatic knives. The only banned knife in Louisiana are switchblades. However, if you are a law enforcement officer, you might be able to get an automatic opening knife because there is an exemption for “rescue knives” in the law.
Limits on Carry
Any knife is legal for open or concealed carry as long as it is not a switchblade. 19. Maine Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. It is legal to own dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other slim knives. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives. It is illegal to own switchblades, automatic knives, and balisong knives. The only banned types of knives are automatic opening knives. Balisong knives were found to fall under this category.
What is Legal to Carry
It is legal to carry any knife in the open. It is illegal to carry daggers, stilettos, and knives designed for harming others. Any knife outside of those 3 are legal to conceal carry. The law bans the carry of “other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.” This means that, as long as the knife was not designed to attack other people, it is fine to carry concealed.
20. Maryland Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a balisong knife, also called butterfly knife. it is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives. It is legal to own switchblades, gravity knives, and automatic knives. It is legal to own ballistic knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives and lipstick knives. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives. It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. There are no limitation on the type of knife you can own in Maryland.
Limits on Carry
You can not conceal carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife. You can not open carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife with the intent to harm someone. You can open or conceal carry any sized pocket knife you wish. If a knife is not listed above, it is most likely to be legal for concealed or open carry. Read on to see why.
21.Massachusetts Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Balisong knives, also called butterfly knives, are legal to own. Switchblades and automatic knives are legal to own. Ballistic knives are legal to own. Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and push knives are legal to own. Knives with brass knuckles are legal to own. Disguised knives like cane knives and lipstick knives are legal to own. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal to own. Throwing knives and throwing stars are legal to own. There is no knife ban in Massachusetts.
Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos, ballistic knife, double edge knives, and knuckle knives. It is illegal to carry anything that is perceived as dangerous while disturbing the peace or being arrested. Folding knives, Swiss army knives, and kitchen knives are legal to carry as long as you do not behave in a way that makes them dangerous. There are a few more details to the law that can’t be explained in bullet points. Read below for the full explanation.
22. Michigan Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Butterfly knives, also called balisong knives, are legal. Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives are legal. Throwing knives and throwing stars are legal. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Hidden knives like belt knives and lipstick knives are legal. Undetectable knives (knives that do not set off metal detectors) are legal. Switchblades, automatic knives, and gravity knives are illegal. What is Legal to Carry
All knives, except for banned ones, are legal for open carry. It is legal to carry a hunting knife concealed. It is illegal to conceal carry dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other stabbing items. On top of this, you can not carry a dangerous weapon with intent to harm. The law only limits the carry of dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other sharp, double bladed stabbing tools. If a knife can not be used to stab (has no point), it can be carried concealed as long as you do not have intent to harm someone.
23.Minnesota Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Balisong knives are legal to own. Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other stabbing knives are legal to own. Disguised knives like lipstick knives are legal to own. Bowie knives are legal to own. Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal to own. All other knives are legal to own. Only switchblades are illegal. What is Legal to Carry
Knives with utility purposes are legal to carry. Knives that can be used as weapons are legal to carry as long as you do not have intent to harm others. It is illegal to recklessly use a knife that was designed to be a weapon. It is illegal to carry a knife that was designed to be a weapon (and not a tool) with the intent to harm others. Those are the general guidelines, read further to see the full details on what you can and can not own and carry.
24. Mississippi Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own Balisong knives, also called butterfly knives. It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives. It is legal to own disguised knives like belt knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives. It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. It is legal to own switchblades, gravity knives, and automatic knives. Mississippi does not restrict ownership of any type of knife for those over the age of eighteen, who have not been convicted of a felony.
What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a bowie knife It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own dirk knife It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a butcher knife It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a switchblade Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry concealed any bowie knife It is illegal to carry concealed any dirk knife It is illegal to carry concealed any butcher knife It is illegal to carry concealed any switchblade or automatic knife You may carry any knife concealed if it is concealed in your vehicle, and not on your person. You may carry any knife concealed if you are participating in a sports activity where such a knife is legitimately used. You can open carry any knife in Mississippi, unless you are a minor or a student on educational property. 25. Missouri Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own dirks, stilettos, and other slim knives. It is legal to own boot knives and other daggers It is legal to own Balisong knives, sometimes called butterfly knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives and even throwing axes. It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives. What is Illegal to Own
It is a Class C Felony to own a switchblade knife in Missouri, unless the person possessing the switchblade is in compliance with applicable federal law. The federal law, which governs possession of switchblades, is 15 USC Chapter 29. The law allows a person to possess and/or carry a switchblade on or about his person if the blade is less than three inches long and the person has only one arm, or the knife contains a spring or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade.
26. Montana Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other push knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife, or other large knife It is legal to own throwing knives or throwing stars It is legal to own disguised knives such as cane knives and lipstick knives What is Illegal to Own
A switchblade knife is illegal to own in Montana unless you are a collector who is registered with the Sheriff in the county where your collection is kept.
Limits on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade four inches long, or longer It is illegal to possess or carry any knife with a four inch blade or longer in a school building It is illegal to conceal carry any weapon while intoxicated It is illegal to conceal carry a weapon into a government office, bank or financial institution, or a place that sells alcohol for onsite consumption It is illegal to conceal carry any “deadly weapon” It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own in Montana It is legal to carry any knife that is legal to own in your vehicle, concealed or openly 27. Nebraska Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
Balisong knives are legal to own Bowie knives are legal to own Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal to own Ballistic knives are legal to own Disguised knives like cane knives, lipstick knives, and belt knives are legal to own Switchblades and automatic knives are legal to own What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony to own a knife It is illegal for a person who is a fugitive to own a knife It is illegal for a person subject to a domestic violence protective order to own a knife while knowingly violating such order 28. Nevada Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own Bowie and other hunting knives It is legal to own throwing knives and throwing stars What is Illegal to Own
any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle switchblade knives Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to possess or carry a dirk, dagger, or switchblade on school or childcare facility property or in a vehicle owned by a school or childcare facility It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger It is illegal to conceal carry a machete It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which could be considered a dangerous or deadly weapon It is legal to conceal carry a pocketknife It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own 29. New Hampshire Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
In New Hampshire, it is legal to own any type of knife, as long as you have not been convicted of a felony against the person or property of another or of a felony drug related offense. Yes, machetes are legal.
What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony against the person or property of another or of a felony drug related offense to possess a:
Stiletto Dirk or dagger Switchblade knife knife considered to be a deadly weapon 30. New Jersey Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own disguised knives like lipstick knives It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to won throwing stars and throwing knives Any weapon for which a person has an explainable lawful purpose for owning What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own any weapon, with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another It is illegal for a person convicted of certain crimes (see below) to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife It is illegal for certain mentally ill people to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife It is illegal to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife with any explainable lawful purpose A conviction for aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, bias intimidation, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose, manufacture or transport of a prohibited weapon, unlawful possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance, or endangering the welfare of a child prevents a person from owning certain types of knives in New Jersey.
31. New Mexico Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own throwing stars or knives It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a switchblade It is illegal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife 32. New York Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a hunting knife It is legal to own a dirk or dagger It is legal to own a stiletto What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a pilum ballistic knife It is illegal to own a metal knuckle knife It is illegal to own a cane sword It is illegal to own throwing stars It is illegal to own any knife if you are not a U.S. citizen It is illegal to own any knife adapted for use primarily as a weapon It may be illegal to own a gravity knife, without a valid hunting and/or fishing license It may be illegal to own a switchblade knife, without a valid hunting and/or fishing license 33. North Carolina Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own bowie knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a switchblade It is legal to own a gravity knife It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as in a pen or lipstick What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own any spring-loaded projectile knife It is illegal to own a ballistic knife It is illegal to own any weapon of similar character to a projectile or ballistic knife 34. North Dakota Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own any type of knife in North Dakota. North Dakota has no laws making it a crime to own any kind of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife or switchblade It is illegal to conceal carry a machete It is illegal to conceal carry a scimitar, backsword, or sabre It is illegal to conceal carry a stiletto It is illegal to conceal carry a sword It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk or dagger It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer It is legal to open carry any type of knife 35. Ohio Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a switchblade or gravity knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife as well as Balisong trainers It is legal to own a ballistic knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a stiletto What is Illegal to Own
It is legal to own any type of knife in Ohio. 36. Oklahoma Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own a switchblade or gravity knife It is legal to own a sword cane It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife as well as Balisong trainers It is legal to own a stiletto What is Illegal to Own
It is not illegal to own any kind of knife in Oklahoma. Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal or open carry a dagger It is illegal to conceal or open carry bowie knife It is illegal to conceal or open carry a dirk knife It is illegal to conceal or open carry a switchblade knife It is illegal to conceal or open carry a spring-type knife It is illegal to conceal or open carry a sword cane It is illegal to conceal or open carry a knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife It is illegal to conceal or open carry any “offensive weapon” As the no carry law states that it is illegal to carry a weapon, “upon or about” the person, Oklahoma’s no carry law extends to items carried in a vehicle, not just on a person.
37. Oregon Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a switchblade or other automatic knife It is legal to own a ballistic knife It is legal to own a gravity knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife and Balisong trainer It is legal to own a stiletto What is Illegal to Own
Oregon law does not restrict the ownership of any type of knife for those who have not been convicted of a felony. As a matter of fact, in 1984 in State v. Delgado, the Supreme Court of Oregon found that former Oregon statute § 166.510(1) was unconstitutional because it prohibited the mere possession and mere carrying of a weapon. The Court believed that restricting the possession and open carrying of weapons for non-felons was a violation of a person’s right to bear arms under the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.
38. Pennsylvania Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own Bowie knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a penknife It is legal to own a concealed knife, such as in a lipstick or belt buckle It is legal to own any kind of hunting knife What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a dagger It is illegal to own any automatic knife It is illegal to own a sword cane It is illegal to own any implement for the infliction of bodily injury, which serves no “common lawful purpose” 39. Rhode Island Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a sword cane It is legal to own a concealed knife, such as in a belt buckle or lipstick It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a switchblade What is Illegal to Own
It is not illegal to own any type of knife in Rhode Island, so long as you do not intend to use it unlawfully against another. Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is illegal to conceal carry a stiletto It is illegal to conceal carry a sword cane It is illegal to conceal carry a bowie knife It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade more than 3 inches in length It is legal to open carry any type of knife in Rhode Island 40. South Carolina Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a switchblade It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly, knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as in a lipstick or belt buckle What is Illegal to Own
It is legal to own any type of knife in South Carolina. Restrictions on Carry
It is legal to conceal carry dirk It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade knife It is legal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to conceal carry a Bowie knife It is legal to conceal carry a stiletto 41. South Dakota Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a switchblade, or any type of automatic knife It is legal to own a ballistic knife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a sword cane It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as in a belt buckle or lipstick What is Illegal to Own
It is not illegal to own any type of knife in South Dakota In 2006, the legislature repealed the only law prohibiting ownership of any type of knife. The former statute, 22-14-19, made it illegal for a person to own, possess or sell a ballistic knife.
Restrictions on Carry
Any knife may be carried openly or concealed South Dakota’s statutes discuss dangerous weapons and carrying concealed weapons, however neither of the statutes apply to knives, as its definition of “concealed” is “any firearm that is totally hidden from view.”
42. Tennessee Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a disguised knife such as in a belt buckle or lipstick It is legal to own a stiletto It may be legal to own a butterfly knife, however, one should check with an attorney first, as Tennessee’s definition of a switchblade could include a butterfly knife. Courts in most states would call a butterfly knife one that opens by “gravity or inertia”, which is how Tennessee defines a switchblade knife. However, other Courts have viewed butterfly knives, not as automatic or gravity knives, but as a type of pocketknife. As of June 2013, Tennessee’s Courts have yet to weigh in.
What is Illegal to Own
Tennessee Code § 39-17-1302 makes it illegal to own a switchblade knife or any other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury or death, which has no common lawful purpose.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to open or conceal carry a switchblade It is illegal to open or conceal carry any knife with a blade exceeding four inches in length, with the intent to go armed. 43. Texas Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own throwing stars or any type of throwing knife It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own a sword or spear It is legal to own a switchblade knife It is legal to own a pocketknife It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a gravity knife The Texas state legislature does not limit other knives.
44. Utah Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own an automatic or gravity knife It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as a lipstick or belt buckle What is Illegal to Own
Utah law creates two categories of people who may not own certain weapons, defined as “dangerous weapons”.
A category I restricted person is someone who:
has been convicted of a violent felony under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5 is on probation or parole for any felony is on parole from a facility is under contract with the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, that provides 24-hour supervision and confinement for youth offenders who have been committed to the division for custody and rehabilitation has been adjudicated delinquent, within the last 10 years, for an offense that if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5 is illegally or unlawfully in the United States 45. Vermont Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as a lipstick or belt buckle It is legal to own throwing starts or knives What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a switchblade with a blade that is 3 inches or longer Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to carry openly or concealed a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent of using it to harm another. It is illegal to carry openly or concealed a dangerous or deadly weapon onto school or government property. Vermont law does not place any other restrictions on the carrying of knives. In 1903, in State v. Rosenthal, Vermont’s Supreme Court said that under the general laws, a person may carry a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, unless he did it with the intent or avowed purpose of injuring another.
46. Virginia Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own a switchblade It is legal to own a ballistic knife It is legal to own throwing stars or other throwing knives It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife What is Illegal to Own
It is legal to own any type of knife in Virginia. Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk It is illegal to conceal carry a bowie knife It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade knife It is illegal to conceal carry a machete It is illegal to conceal carry a ballistic knife It is illegal to conceal carry throwing stars or oriental darts It is illegal to conceal carry any knife of a like kind to one of the above listed knives 47. Washington Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own bowie knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a disguised knife, such as a lipstick or belt buckle It is legal to own throwing stars What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a switchblade or other spring blade knife in the state of Washington.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger It is illegal to conceal carry any dangerous weapon It is illegal to open or conceal carry any weapon into a Courtroom It is also illegal to carry or display a dagger, sword, knife, or other cutting or stabbing instrument in a manner or under circumstances that would cause alarm or show an intent to intimidate another. In 1994, in State v. Spencer, the Supreme Court of Washington held that there must be a sufficient basis for the alarm, such that a reasonable person would be alarmed. Also in 1994, the Court held, in State v. Byrd, that because the display of a weapon in a manner that caused reasonable fear or alarm could be done without intent, a violation of the statute did not require intent. This means that one does not have to intend to cause alarm or fear in order to be guilty of a crime under the statute.
48. West Virginia Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a switchblade It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a Bowie knife It is legal to own a ballistic knife What is Illegal to Own
West Virginia law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife with a blade over 3 ½ inches It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade, or any automatic knife It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife It is illegal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is illegal to conceal carry any instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds It is illegal to conceal carry any “deadly weapon” 49. Wisconsin Knife Laws
What is Illegal to Own
It is illegal to own a switchblade knife It is illegal to own a gravity knife It is illegal to own a butterfly knife It is illegal to own any knife substantially similar to a switchblade, gravity knife, or butterfly knife Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal in Wisconsin to carry a concealed and dangerous weapon.
Definition of Various Knives
A switchblade is defined as any knife having a blade which opens by pressing a button, spring or other device in the handle or by gravity or by a thrust or movement. In State v. Krause, the Appellate Court upheld Mr. Krause’s conviction for carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, finding that his knife, which had a blade that was serrated on one side, sharp on the other, and had a point at the end, was a switchblade. The blade was contained in two casings: the serrated blade fit into one of the casings and the cutting edge in the other. The casings were secured by a clasp, that when removed, allowed one casing to fall away from the other by the force of gravity, exposing the blade.
Neither the Wisconsin code nor its case law offers a definition of any other type of knife. When words or terms are not defined by the legislature, in the state code, Court’s use the ‘plain English meaning’ of the word, or that meaning provided in Webster’s dictionary.
50. Wyoming Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own It is legal to own a switchblade It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife It is legal to own a bowie knife It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, poniard, or other stabbing knife It is legal to own a stiletto It is legal to own a gravity knife What is Illegal to Own Wyoming law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife. Restrictions on Carry It is illegal to conceal carry a deadly weapon in Wyoming.
Dirk knives and daggers are illegal to carry concealed. Switchblades with a blade 2” or longer are illegal to carry. A wide variety of unusual knives are also illegal to carry. Violation of the carry statute is a felony. Carrying a switchblade may be a misdemeanor (see Discussion for more).
At a Glance:
Right to Bear Arms/2nd Amendment Equivalent:
None: Federalism and McDonald apply U.S. Constitution’s 2nd Amendment to California.
Yes, Cal. Pen. Code sec. 17235; See also In re: Gilbert R.
Sale/Transfer:
Any switchblade knife having a blade more than two (2) inches in length, as well as any of the prohibited items listed above, may not be manufactured, possessed, transferred or sold.
Critical Dimensions:
Two inches or more—blade length of illegal switchblade under California law.
Schools:
California schools are weapons free zones. CPC 626.10 bars knife carry at school or on school grounds.
Law Enforcement:
Section 16590 of the California Penal Code pertains to dirks, daggers, belt buckle knives, sword canes, lipstick knives, knives concealed in pens. However, the section does not cover switchblades.
Law enforcement officers, when authorized, are permitted to carry a variety of bladed weapons that are listed in CPC 16590. The exemption does not extend to fire and EMS personnel.
§17730. Inapplicability of Section 16590
The provisions listed in Section 16590 do not apply to any of the following:
(a) The sale to, possession of, or purchase of any weapon, device, or ammunition, other than a short-barreled rifle or a short-barreled shotgun, by any federal, state, county, city and county, or city agency that is charged with the enforcement of any law for use in the discharge of its official duties.
(b) The possession of any weapon, device, or ammunition, other than a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun, by any peace officer of any federal, state, county, city and county, or city agency that is charged with the enforcement of any law, when the officer is on duty and the use is authorized by the agency and is within the course and scope of the officer’s duties.
(c) Any weapon, device, or ammunition, other than a short-barreled rifle or a short-barreled shotgun, that is sold by, manufactured by, exposed or kept for sale by, possessed by, imported by, or lent by, any person who is in the business of selling weapons, devices, and ammunition listed in Section 16590 solely to the entities referred to in subdivision (a) when engaging in transactions with those entities.
Discussion:
California’s knife laws are in a state of flux, as demonstrated by both People v. Rubalcava (decided under the old prohibited weapons statute) and In re: Luke W. In this case, the court recounts the long and complex history of California’s knife laws. This is not a simple history and it appears that more changes could occur at any time. Originally, the list of banned knives was found at CPC sec. 12020. That statute was replaced with CPC sec. 16590, which contains an exhaustive list of weapons, including all of the banned knife designs, which the legislature has determined are usually used for criminal purposes. People v. Wasley (decided under old version of statute, 12020). Furthermore, this statute has been updated and altered many times, including references to recently added definitions of various kinds of knives in other parts of the penal code. Possession, alone, is all that is required to commit a felony for possession of a “prohibited weapon” though, according to Rubalcava, in the case of dirk knives and daggers, they must also be concealed.
The concealed carry provision is the most often charged knife-related offense in recent years. According to People v. Mitchell, the intent of this law is to prevent people from being surprise attacked by very dangerous stabbing-type knives. Though the statute sounds relatively limited, case law has proven this to be untrue. First, often cases report simply ludicrous claims about how knives are carried. In People v. Castillolopez, for example, the police claimed that the defendant had a counterfeit Swiss Army Knife stored open in his pocket. In Mitchell the police claimed that the defendant had a five-inch dagger with an “exposed” tip stored between his belt and his pants. These types of assertions are commonplace in knife-related case law, despite being hard to fathom as true. Also, the statute’s concealment component is relatively easy for the State to prove. According to Mitchell, the State does not need to prove that a person intended to carry the knife concealed, but simply they were carrying a dirk knife or dagger AND that it was concealed.
There are a few places in California law where there is some confusion.
Switchblades seem to be subject to two different statutes, CPC sec. 21590 and 21510. In CPC sec. 21510 the law bans only switchblades with blades 2” or more. In CPC sec. 21590, the law makes “any switchblade” a nuisance but then references CPC sec. 21510. It’s not clear why there are two statutes covering switchblades, why one makes it a misdemeanor and one makes it a nuisance (which is, itself a misdemeanor), and why one says “any” switchblade and the other specifies a blade length.
Additionally, in CPC sec. 16590, concealed dirk knives or daggers are banned, but CPC sec. 20200 seems to require all sheath knives to be open carried. These two statutes don’t make clear whether other sheath knives, like a Bowie knife, cannot be concealed carried in California. It also doesn’t make clear whether the legislature mistakenly believed that all sheath knives (presumably fixed blades) were dirk knives and daggers, which is obviously untrue. People v. Rubalcava seems to conflate all fixed blades with dirk knives and daggers in a number of different places in the opinion. As such beware of carrying any fixed blade (or “sheath knife”) concealed.
*People v. Castillolopez3 Cal. 4th 322 (2016) A Swiss Army style knife is not a locking dagger or dirk knife, even when open, under California law.
People v. Pickett2013 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 8361 (November 13, 2013) Second Amendment does not clearly apply to dirk knives and daggers under California law.
People v. Mitchell209 Cal. App. 1364 (Cal. Ct. App., decided October 11, 2012) California’s concealed carry knife law does not require an intent to conceal or intent to harm.
In re: Luke W88 Cal. App. 4th 650 A credit card multi-tool knife is not a concealed dagger or dirk knife in California.
In re: Gilbert R211 Cal. App. 4th 514 (2012) Decided: November 12, 2012 Bias towards closure exception makes knife legal.
*People v. Rubalcava 23 Cal. 4th 322 (2000) The prohibited weapons statute is a general intent crime and does not require an intent to harm.
*California Supreme Court case
Updated September 16, 2017, by Anthony Sculimbrene
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Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
Concealment is a factor under California law.
Schools:
California schools are weapons free zones.
Critical Dimensions:
Two inches or more—blade length of illegal switchblade under California law.
Legend has it that Evil Road sprits have been latching on to motorcycles for as long as there have been bikes on the road. These Evil Road Spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck along a journey. Legend goes on to say that by attaching a small bell on your bike The Evil Road Spirits will become trapped inside the bell where the constant ringing drives them insane, making them lose their grip until they fall to the ground. (Ever wonder where pot holes come from?) Legend also has it that the mystery of the Motorcycle Bells (demon Bells, Spirit Bells) carries twice as much power when it is purchased by a friend or loved one and given as a gift. Show someone how much you care. Offer them defense against the Evil Road Sprits! Give a Motorcycle Bell and share the Legend of Good Luck it offers to a motorcycle and its rider.
Road bells come in may varieties, but do you know the origin of this rider’s talisman? Read on and learn!
Since it’s October, with the days growing shorter and colder, and with Halloween on the way, it’s natural to start thinking of the spooky and the macabre. What better way to get things rolling than with a discussion of a popular riders superstition, the use of a small bell affixed to the underside of their motorcycle or scooter to ward off ill fortune? Westender EZ has done a bit of research, and may well have found the origins of this peculiar practice. Take it away, EZ!
The Legend of The Road Bell
It has been many years since I first did the research to find the ‘True Story’ of the ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ of those bells we put on our scooters for ‘Good Luck’ and so I thought I’d pass this on once again for all those new faces I see every time I ride.It is said that it all started during World War II outside Asch, Belgium, in America’s campaign against Germany. The time was late 1944 and Harley motorcycles were being used to carry messages back and forth between the command posts and the front lines. They were nimble and quick and got the job done.
Lt. Dave Knox of the 9th Armored Division rode one of these sidecar equipped Harleys as fast as possible along sometimes muddy rutted, and sometimes very dry dusty roads, heading cross country whenever the roads ran out.
One day, his very good friend Lt. Col. John Meyer, one of the top aces in the 8th Air Force, presented him with a small chime or bell as a good luck symbol – telling David that if this good luck bell were to be mounted very low on his Harley, the chime coming from such a bell while riding down the road would scare off all Road demons, thereby protecting the bikes rider from all harm. Soon Harley riders were giving little bells to other Harley riders as good luck charms throughout the war.
The idea carried over after the war and when our fighting men came home and purchased Harleys of their own, the idea of presenting one’s riding buddy with a “Road Bell” became popular during the late forties and very early fifties. It is said that in 1953 during the filming of “The Wild One”, a movie about motorcycles loosely based on a 1947 fight between some bikers and the townsfolk in and around Hollister, California, that the star Marlon Brando (who rode a Triumph) gave a small brass “Good Luck Bell” to Lee Marvin who got to ride a Harley-Davidson in the movie.
The Road Bell must be presented as a gift from another and not purchased by the bikes owner. Place the bell as low as possible and towards the front of the motorcycle so as to ward off any and all road demons along the road ahead.
Sometimes as I ride along, I will hear the chime from my bell and smile, knowing that another Road Demon was just scared away and my journey that day would be a safe one.
Who is listening in on your phone calls? On a landline, it could be anyone, says privacy activist Christopher Soghoian, because surveillance backdoors are built into the phone system by default, to allow governments to listen in. But then again, so could a foreign intelligence service ... or a criminal. Which is why, says Soghoian, some tech companies are resisting governments' call to build the same backdoors into mobile phones and new messaging systems. Learn how some tech companies are working to keep your calls and messages private. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more. Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate Follow TED news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tednewsLike TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDtalksD...
Bikers always seem to inquire about the knife carry laws in California. After researching the law, we certainly understood why confusion exists as to what is legal to carry and what isn’t: there are over a dozen statutes on the subject, as well as numerous municipal codes, and inconsistent court decisions that further muddy the water. Hopefully, this article will shed some light on the rules and inconsistencies in California knife laws.
A few caveats, however: First, remember that carrying any weapon, even one that’s legal, can cause you a lot of grief with law enforcement. Cops routinely write tickets and make arrests for things they incorrectly think is illegal. Being found “not guilty” will not make up for the time and aggravation of getting arrested and missing work — not to mention the cost of hiring an attorney. Also, this article only covers California law. State laws can vary greatly, and taking a knife that is legal in California over state lines may get you into trouble with federal laws or laws of other states. Local ordinances may also impact the legality of your knife.
Q. How Long Can a Knife Be in California?
A. The maximum legal knife length is 2 inches.
With those warnings out of the way, California laws covering switchblades, daggers, and disguised blades are discussed below. For those of you with a short attention span, here is the summary:
In California, the following are illegal: (1) Any knife with a blade of 2″ or longer, that can be opened with a button or the flick of your wrist; (2) concealed possession of any “dirk” or “dagger,” i.e., any stabbing device with a fixed blade, regardless of blade length; (3) possession or sale of any disguised blades, i.e., cane swords, writing pen knives, lipstick knives, etc., or any knife that is undetectable to metal detectors; (4) possession of a knife with a blade longer than 2 1/2″ on any school grounds; (5) possession of a fixed-blade knife with a blade longer than 2 1/2″ on any college or university grounds; and (6) flashing or waiving any knife or weapon in a threatening manner. Also, certain municipalities have their own laws that may affect the legality of carrying a knife. In Los Angeles, for example, it’s illegal to openly carry any knife with a blade longer than 3″.
Each of the above issues is discusses in greater detail below.
Q. Are Switchblades Legal in California?
A. No. Switchblades are Illegal in California.
Switchblades and other spring-loaded knives are generally illegal in California. Included in the legal definition of switchblade is “[any] knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever.” The statute expressly excludes pocket knives that can be opened with one hand by pushing the blade open with one’s thumb, as long as the knife “has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.”
Butterfly Knife Laws California
Q. Are Butterfly Knives Legal in California?
A. No. Butterfly Knives are Illegal in California.
The statute further states that it is unlawful to : (1) to possess a switchblade in a vehicle, (2) to carry a switchblade anywhere upon one’s person, or (3) to transfer or attempt to sell a switchblade to another person. In the 2009 case of People v. S.C., the Court of Appeals held that possession of a switchblade in a person’s pocket, boot, etc., is unlawful, even if even if in one’s own home. In other words, it’s illegal to have a switchblade with a 2″ or longer blade – period.
Q. Are Spring-Assisted Knives Legal in California?
A. No. Spring-Assisted Knives are Illegal in California.
It should also be noted that a pocketknife that was legal when manufactured, but is broken or modified so that it will open freely, is a switchblade within the meaning of the statute. For example, in the 2008 case of People v. Angel R., the Court of Appeals examined a conviction over a pocketknife that, as originally manufactured, had a hole in the back of the blade that prevented it from flicking open. The trial court found, however, that the knife had been modified or damaged, and the resistance mechanism did not function so that the knife would open with a flick of the wrist. Despite the original design of the knife, the Court of Appeals upheld the conviction.
Q. Are Gravity Knives Legal in California?
A. No. Gravity Knives are Illegal in California.
Concealed Knives, Dirks, and Daggers – Penal Code § 12020
In California, it is illegal for any person to carry concealed, certain knives, legally described as “dirks” and “daggers,” i.e., any fixed-blade knife or stabbing weapon. Pursuant to the statute, it is illegal to carry concealed upon one’s person any fixed-blade knife. This does not include a legal (non-switchblade) pocketknife, as long as that knife is closed. Carrying a knife in an openly-worn sheath is not concealment within the meaning of the statute. As discussed below, however, this law may be impacted by local ordinances.
Cane Swords and other Disguised Blades – Penal Code § 20200 et seq
Any knife or blade that is disguised so as to not look like a weapon is also illegal in California. This includes, cane swords, belt-buckle knives, lipstick case knives, air gauge knives, writing pen knives, etc. Blades that are undetectable to metal detectors (e.g., ceramic blades) are also illegal.
Possession of Knives on School Grounds – Penal Code § 626.10
It is illegal for any person to bring or possess “any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, [or] razor with an unguarded blade . . . upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12 . . .” The law with regard to college campuses is similar, but less restrictive. Subsection (b) of the statute provides that it is illegal for any person to bring or possess “any dirk, dagger, ice pick, or knife having a fixed blade longer than 2 1/2 inches upon the grounds of, or within, any [college or university].” Brandishing Knives – Penal Code § 417
In California, it is illegal to brandish any deadly weapon, including knives. The law states that it is unlawful for any person to “draw or exhibit any deadly weapon . . . in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, or . . . to unlawfully use a deadly weapon.” This does not include use of such a weapon in self defense.
Local Ordinances – Here’s Where the Law Gets Messy
If the laws above seem confusing, as the saying goes, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” Local ordinances vary from city to city, and county to county. Worse, California courts have been inconsistent in ruling on the enforceability of these local laws.
For example, in the City of Los Angeles, it is illegal to publicly carry, in plain view, any knife, dirk or dagger having a blade 3″ or more in length, any ice pick or similar sharp tool, any straight-edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle. (There are certain exceptions, such as where the knife is for use in a “lawful occupation, for lawful recreational purposes, or as a recognized religious practice.”) The County of Los Angeles has a similar rule, which makes it illegal to openly carry, in public, “any knife having a blade of three inches or more in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade or snap-blade knife; any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device; any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool; any straight-edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle.” In other words, it is illegal in Los Angeles County to openly carry any knife with a blade of 3″ or longer.
It gets worse. Los Angeles Code section 55.01 also makes it illegal to carry any weapon concealed on one’s person. As such, in Los Angeles, you can’t openly carry a blade over 3″, but you can’t carry such a weapon concealed, either.
Interestingly, the Courts have held that the Los Angeles law forbidding carrying a concealed weapon is invalid. In the 1968 case of People v. Bass, a man was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed folding knife. The Court of Appeals overturned the conviction, holding that the Los Angeles law conflicted with the state law, and was therefore invalid. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles law is still on the books.
What is even more interesting is that other, more recent cases completely contradict the decision in People v. Bass. In the 1985 case of People v. Gerardoi, the defendant was charged with violating a local law of the City of Commerce that is nearly identical to the Los Angeles local law prohibiting carrying blades over 3″. On appeal, the defendant cited the Bass case, arguing that the city code was invalid. The Gerardoi court rejected the holding of Bass, and found that the city code was valid.
Where does all this information leave us? The short answer is, in a mess. There are certainly things that are illegal: any switchblade with a blade 2″ or longer, or concealed possession of any knife with a fixed blade. Other knives may or may not be legal, depending on how and where you carry them, and where you are in California. The best this to do is to check local ordinances before deciding to carry a knife or any other weapon in California. Better yet, think twice before carrying a knife. As you know, some cops look for any excuse to hassle bikers.
*** This article is written for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
OFF THE WIRE Regent Law Professor James Duane gives viewers startling reasons why they should always exercise their 5th Amendment rights when questioned by government officials. Download his article on the topic at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf...
OFF THE WIRE Written by M.D. Creekmorein Knife Laws by State This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post.Reading Time:4minutes
California Knife Laws
Knives laws in the Golden State are not as complicated as they initially seem. California is a big state and there is no state law preemption. Surprisingly, however, California is relatively relaxed in terms of ownership.
Broadly speaking, carrying knives whether open or concealed is legal in California. However, it is illegal to own many knives which are detailed below. It is also important to note that California, unlike many other states, has a very clear and strict definition of switchblades.
While knife owners should always be cognizant of the jurisdiction in which they are carrying, California is more welcome than most. The open and concealed carry of many knives is completely legal.
Restrictions on Knife Ownership in California
California is an open-carry state. Rather than listing, the knives are that legal to own, it may be easier to list the knives that bear restrictions. It is illegal to own the following types of knives in California:
Cane knives, lipstick knives, belt knives and any other knife that can be classified as misleading is illegal to own in California;
Undetectable knives, like misleading knives, are also outlawed
Dirks
Daggers
Stillettos
Ballistic knives
Switchblades in California
It is legal to own a switchblade that is less than two inches or shorter. The relevant law reads: “Every person who does any of the following with a switchblade knife having a blade or two or more inches in length is guilty of a misdemeanor: (a) possesses the knife in the passenger or driver’s area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public (b) carries the knifes upon the person (c) Sellers, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers or gives the knife to any person.”[i]
This statute begs the question of whether it is legal or not to carry a switchblade in one’s personal vehicle. The plain reading of this statute suggests that it is legal to carry a switchblade in one’s car as long as the blade of the knife is less than two inches long. However, California defines switchblade in great detail stating that a switchblade is:
“[A] knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever.
“Switchblade knife” does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.”[ii] (emphasis added)
Knife owners should be cognizant of whether their particular knife fulfills all of the criteria outlined by this definition.
Open and Concealed Carry in Calfornia
The law also notes that all legal fixed blades knives must be worn in plain sight. Dirks and daggers are exempted from this law. There is no language in the law that prevents openly carrying a sword or similar knife.
Any blade that is concealed that is found to be locked in the open position cannot be conceal carried. The law, in relevant part, reads: “As used in this part, “dirk” or “dagger” means a knife or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death.
A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not prohibited by Section 21510, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.” (emphasis added)[iii]
Moving Forward
California is one of the friendlier states for knife owners. Following a “two-inch” rule, however, is prudent. If the blade of the knife is longer than two inches, it is not wise to conceal carry. There are additional rules for Los Angeles County specifically, which outlaw openly carrying a knife with a blade over three inches long.
It is important, as always, for knife owners to be cognizant of their surroundings and take appropriate precautions when carrying in a public place.
None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions. This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.
Note: Out of all of the pocket knives available on Amazon.com this one is my favorite everyday carry knife – click here to see what it is on Amazon.com. I love this knife! It’s built like a tank and holds an edge better than any other knife that I’ve owned…]
What motivates the people who make up the content contributors found in "The 1% Rule?" Perhaps the following story offers some clues. (This is an excerpt from our forthcoming book "Citizen Marketers.")
