Carrying Knives

[Turkeyhoagie]

I'm also a big fan of THR. Posting over there, I ran into a man named Mike Sastre, of river city sheaths (www.rivercitysheaths.com). He makes IWB sheaths for fixed-blade knives.

But then the topic of the legality of a concealed knife came up - I thought the only restrictions were on switchblades, daggers and dirks.

Anybody wanna help me find these laws?

[NineseveN]

Originally Posted by Turkeyhoagie

I'm also a big fan of THR. Posting over there, I ran into a man named Mike Sastre, of river city sheaths (www.rivercitysheaths.com). He makes IWB sheaths for fixed-blade knives.

But then the topic of the legality of a concealed knife came up - I thought the only restrictions were on switchblades, daggers and dirks.

Anybody wanna help me find these laws?

Title 18 § 908. Prohibited offensive weapons.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized by law, he makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in, uses, or possesses any offensive weapon.

(b) Exceptions.--

It is a defense under this section for the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence that he possessed or dealt with the weapon solely as a curio or in a dramatic performance, or that, with the exception of a bomb, grenade or incendiary device, he complied with the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), or that he possessed it briefly in consequence of having found it or taken it from an aggressor, or under circumstances similarly negativing any intent or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully.
This section does not apply to police forensic firearms experts or police forensic firearms laboratories. Also exempt from this section are forensic firearms experts or forensic firearms laboratories operating in the ordinary course of business and engaged in lawful operation who notify in writing, on an annual basis, the chief or head of any police force or police department of a city, and, elsewhere, the sheriff of a county in which they are located, of the possession, type and use of offensive weapons.
This section shall not apply to any person who makes, repairs, sells or otherwise deals in, uses or possesses any firearm for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Firearm."
Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
"Offensive weapons."
Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

(d) Exemptions.--The use and possession of blackjacks by the following persons in the course of their duties are exempt from this section:

Police officers, as defined by and who meet the requirements of the act of June 18, 1974 (P.L.359, No.120), referred to as the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Police officers of first class cities who have successfully completed training which is substantially equivalent to the program under the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Pennsylvania State Police officers.
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of the various counties who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Police officers employed by the Commonwealth who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Deputy sheriffs with adequate training as determined by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Liquor Control Board agents who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.

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Title 18 § 912. Possession of weapon on school property.
(a) Definition.--Notwithstanding the definition of "weapon" in section 907 (relating to possessing instruments of crime), "weapon" for purposes of this section shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nun-chuck stick, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.

(b) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private school licensed by the Department of Education or any elementary or secondary parochial school.

(c) Defense.--It shall be a defense that the weapon is possessed and used in conjunction with a lawful supervised school activity or course or is possessed for other lawful purpose.

*

There are no blade lengths or specifics regarding fixed VS folding knives there, but local ordnances may be stricter than state law and have such specifics. The "common lawful purpose" part is in there, I don't really know how that would play into it.

[LastManOut]

Originally Posted by NineseveN

There are no blade lengths or specifics regarding fixed VS folding knives there, but local ordnances may be stricter than state law and have such specifics. The "common lawful purpose" part is in there, I don't really know how that would play into it.

I open my mail, packages and carve apples with my Kershaw Blur. This seems to answer a question I had about open carrying a hunting knife.