Blades illegal?

**Kazemaru1889** · 12-18-10, 02:55 PM

Say your in a known bad neighborhood and your car breaks down or u go for a walk or what have u. Is it illegal too carry a bladed weapon on your back such as a machete or sword or bowie knife? If its in its sheath and in full view of the public it shouldn't right cause your not carrying a concealed weapon or anything and its not like your walking down the road brandishing it it in your hand already drawn. Doesn't right too bear arms come into play or something. i started too wonder this after i watched the video of the Seattle police officer that shot the man that had a knife. He had the knife in full view as well but it was drawn already so the officer engaged him..... wrongly but he engaged him. i mean people can walk down the road with a concealed gun if they have a permit right. Why not a bladed weapon? Which seams less harmless than a gun anyways i mean i know its still a deadly weapon but well u know what i mean.

**Arreo** · 12-18-10, 02:58 PM

Depends a lot: State Knife Laws, City & County Ordinances - KnifeLawsOnline.com

**Arreo** · 12-18-10, 03:00 PM

Or some other sites:

KNIFE LAWS of the 50 STATES - Introduction and LINKS

State Knife Carry and Blade Length Laws

**Arreo** · 12-18-10, 03:03 PM

For example, I know that in Wisconsin you cannot carry a bladed weapon of any real length on you person. If you are a practitioner in martial arts most dojos will recommend you drive with you blade in the trunk and totally out of reach.

I personally own about a dozen bladed weapons over 6" long and I would never, ever carry them on my person anywhere besides in my house, at a dojo or a reenactment area like a ren faire or SCA gathering (where it would be peace-tied anyway).

**Kazemaru1889** · 12-18-10, 03:25 PM

i have my self many bladed weapons in my home. Most all of them are more than 6" like for instance i have a bowie knife that is 11 3/8" long. It has a sheath with a belt loop so it was made too be carried its fully functional and i have put it on my belt and walked too my dad's house at night one time would it be considered illegal?

**Arreo** · 12-18-10, 03:26 PM

Well what state do you live in?

**Kazemaru1889** · 12-18-10, 03:29 PM

Georgia i have a picture of it

**Arreo** · 12-18-10, 03:37 PM

Yeah Georgia law says that any "bowie knife" of any length is considered a weapon. And carrying it in any way except "fully exposed to view" is considered carrying it concealed which is an automatic misdemeanor. Add to that if they caught you with it concealed within 1000 feet of a school you'd be in even more trouble.

Bottom line, it just isn't worth it. IMO you aren't likely to be that much safer carrying a knife then you would otherwise, unless you've had some significant armed self defense training. You would be better off just being careful and alert and having a flashlight or a cell phone.

Probably if a cop stopped you they wouldn't charge you for it, but if they stopped you for just something routine and they see you are carrying a 10" blade (even openly) their attitude and demeanor is going to change really fast and you might be putting yourself in needless danger.

**Kazemaru1889** · 12-18-10, 03:38 PM

Georgia
10-JUN-2010 -- Georgia governor Purdue has signed SB 308 into law, which requires a carry permit to carry in public, openly or concealed, knives with blades over five inches. Among other things, the new law also prohibits the carry of weapons, the definition of which includes knives with blades over five inches, in churches and other places of worship.

The new law takes effect immediately.