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August 10th, 2009, 10:32 PM #1
Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
There have been numerous threads on the topic "what do you carry (besides your firearm)..." and folks routinely carry a variety of tools.
Can anyone recommend a good source for relevant Pennsylvania Law regarding knives and legal carry?
Thanks in advance-
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August 10th, 2009, 10:51 PM #2
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
Linky-dink.
"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, any stun gun, stun baton, taser or other electronic
or electric weapon or other implement for the infliction of
serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.
That said, I carry a Buck 110 in my back pocket and either a Buck large stockman or a Kershaw Zing in my front pocket every day. I don't really have self-defense in mind; knives are just handy as all hell.
ETA: Townships, cities, etc. can and do have ordinances against various types of knives. Know your local laws in addition to state laws."I really have the American dream licked." -- Ted Nugent
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August 10th, 2009, 10:53 PM #3
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
Section 908 of the Crimes Code lists dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise as prohibited. That's about it as far as state law goes.
Statewide, there's no restriction on how you can carry a knife, sword, double-edged axe, machete or any other cutting instrument. Local municipalities, however, are not prohibited from enacting their own restrictions. I believe Philadelphia (surprise, surprise) has such a restriction (not to exceed a 3-inch blade?).
My son went to a Halloween party while in college wearing a full-length Samuri sword (the real thing). As long as he didn't slice-n-dice someone, he was perfectly legal, and he knew it.
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August 10th, 2009, 11:02 PM #4
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
Daggers, which are basically knives with a sharpened edge on both sides, may be prohibited whether they are automatic or not.
I cannot say which interpretation is completely correct, but the prohibition on all daggers, automatic or not, does have some corroboration.
Also, as mentioned earlier, municipalities can and do regulate knives since there is no preemption for them. Take for example…
Philadelphia Code §10-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places.
(1) Definition.
Cutting Weapon. Any knife or other cutting instrument which can be used as a weapon that has a cutting edge similar to that of a knife. No tool or instrument commonly or ordinarily used in a trade, profession or calling shall be considered a cutting weapon while actually being used in the active exercise of that trade, profession or calling.(2) Prohibited Conduct. No person shall use or possess any cutting weapon upon the public streets or upon any public property at any time.(3) Penalty. The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine of not less than three hundred (300) dollars and imprisonment of not less than ninety days.
Finally, beware of any knife that does not have a “common lawful purpose” (which does not include self defense).
Last edited by JCWohlschlag; August 10th, 2009 at 11:05 PM.
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August 10th, 2009, 11:10 PM #5
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
What about a bow? Am I allowed to walk around with an arrow nocked?
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August 10th, 2009, 11:26 PM #6
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August 10th, 2009, 11:37 PM #7
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
PA knife laws are messed up. Too confuseing.
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August 10th, 2009, 11:38 PM #8
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
Read the bottom section of my above post (post #4).
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August 11th, 2009, 10:01 AM #9
Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
I have steeltoed and shanked engineer boots that I wear everywhere except airport TSA checkpoints. They are over a pound in weight each, making effective foot weapons and protection, a good club, and I've been known to use them as hammers too.
Other than the boots and a 4lb mini-sledge in the truck, all my other defensive tools are firearms.
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August 11th, 2009, 11:55 AM #10Member
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Re: Defensive Tools Other Than Your Handgun
I usually carry either a Gerber or Winchester pocket knife then I have a Smith & Wesson boot knife for when I wear my boots.
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