Given the appropriate sub-forums get so little traffic, I figured I’d ask this here;
What am I looking at as far as current carry laws for both states for both size and function restrictions?
Is there someone here that knows of the top of their head, or a legit website with this info in plain english?
Here’s my conundrum- my current pocket knife is just to small for my hand (I cut myself on it when opening). I have two ideas for upgrading:
Get a bigger folder (which = over 3" blade)
Switch to fixed, given I’ve been thinking about adding a defensive fixed blade anyway (but all fixed knives that might work for me run over a 3" length)
:rolleyes: :mad:
So yeah… not sure to go from here within what I can carry…
I mean for F*** sake I’m carrying a firearm, does it really matter what length blade I’ve got?
Listed VA and FL as those are the two most likely states I’ll be in currently.
I carry a Kershaw Leek, a Leatherman or one of those cheap S&W tactical knives. The one I want though is the Southern Grind Bad Monkey with clear green G10 grips.
I have found that few states will cite you for knife violations unless you are doing something stupid. Technically in Va you are carrying concealed if your shirt tail is covering the but of a knife clipped in your front pocket.
In VA if your are LEO, or other such … Fire, rescue, etc. I think you get a pass on evil features… .and probably concealment too.
Also if you near a school, curch, .gov building and I think there is a park area up around DC, a lot that flies out the window. VA laws are insane regarding knives and that’a why you would be hard pressed to see any enforced.
For instance I think it’s legal to own a switchbalde. Not legal to buy or sell one. yet go to a show and it would not be out of the question to see a state trouper standing next to a case of automatics being sold to “collectors”.
For instance that 4" you mention. That’s 3" on a school property and possibly some other restriction. I think VA laws are such that ‘if’ they wanted to find you in violation, they could but I have never heard of any normal person having any problem.
Not that it matters for knives but get your VA ccw and if you will be near DC be sure to check out that park area. Very possible you might drive through it. VCDL has all that info. In fact… here it is… http://vcdl.org/CarryInfo
For instance here’s one you don’t hear often…
State law (§18.2-287.4) prohibits the carry by a non-CHP holder of a loaded:
semi-automatic center-fire rifle or [b]pistol[/b] that is
equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of centerfire ammunition
or [b]designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer[/b]
or equipped with a folding stock
So again, VA has all sorts of little “we gotcha if need be” type laws but you never really hear of any problems until we try to the get laws changed/repealed and then the Liberals run the “children with switchblades” ads.
Virginia has Concealed Handgun Permits (not weapons) and folding pocket knives are not on the “unapproved to carry concealed” list so it’s okay to conceal one.
A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.