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Thread: Fixed blade knives in PA?
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September 9th, 2009, 02:10 AM #1Junior Member
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Fixed blade knives in PA?
i know this topic is covered alot in these forums however i still have alot of questions. I want to carry a small fixed blade knife for self defense. I really like the cold steel safe maker II http://www.coldsteel.com/samase.html the only problem is that the laws in PA are so vague i can't figure out what is legal. Would this knife be legal to carry? would it be legal to have it concealed? (i do not have a concealed carry permit) would the police catagorize this as a dagger because it is double edged and therefor an offensive weapon? i realize that my questions are lengthy but i would appreciate any input.
thank you
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September 9th, 2009, 11:17 PM #2
Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
Philly cops (mostly) go by the 'blade no bigger than the palm of your hand' rule, although I've been stopped and released with everything from switchblades to machetes on my person before and have never been arrested. It seems not even the police really know what's what with knives...
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September 9th, 2009, 11:22 PM #3
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September 9th, 2009, 11:49 PM #4Banned
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Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
Philadelphia does have a law on their books that makes anything with an edge illegal unless it's used in a trade:
Code:§ 10-820. Cutting Weapons in Public Places. 189 (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.
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September 10th, 2009, 01:29 AM #5
Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
Concealed or not, under Commonwealth law, knife carry is generally legal. There are no restrictions on fixed blades or blade length.
However, local governments are free to restrict any, or all carry of knives.
the only problem is that the laws in PA are so vague i can't figure out what is legal.
Would this knife be legal to carry?
would it be legal to have it concealed?
(i do not have a concealed carry permit)
would the police catagorize this as a dagger because it is double edged and therefor an offensive weapon?Last edited by unloved; October 9th, 2010 at 01:12 PM. Reason: Correction.
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September 10th, 2009, 01:39 AM #6Banned
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Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
You need to look at the construction of the law to judge its intent. I'm 110% sure that the law is being misapplied so far as double-edged knives "or other cutting implements" are concerned.
... dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise ...
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September 10th, 2009, 02:24 AM #7
Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
Don't tell the cops in Philly, they seem to not know this... honestly, I've had multiple cops send me on my way with various knives and tell me about the 'palm rule'. I always got away with it saying I thought it was the hand, from middle finger to bottom of palm > Maybe its just an unwritten rule?
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September 10th, 2009, 02:31 AM #8
Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
I've spoken with three Philly cops on this issue. They all told me that they use this ordinance as a 'stack on' charge. They generally don't hassle Joe Citizen walking down the street, but if you have a knife on you while doing something they don't like, they've got something to charge you with.
They're talking out of their asses about the blade length thing though.
Rely on the goodwill of PPD officers at your peril.
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September 10th, 2009, 02:46 AM #9
Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
That makes sense... more than it should, unfortunately, but that makes sense. Its like when they pull you over on 95 because they 'thought they smelled marijuana'. Yeah, at 60mph with my windows up you smelled something being smoked... when I'm a nonsmoker?
Rely on the goodwill of PPD officers at your peril.
Rely on PPD officers at your peril.Just because 'perfect' is impossible does not mean we should settle for 'broken'.
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September 10th, 2009, 02:55 AM #10Member
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Re: Fixed blade knives in PA?
i dont do ANYTHING without a knife, i ALWAYS have one in my pocket
i live on a farm, there are way too many times when you have to cut something and you're in the barn, or in a field.
as soon as i wake up my knife goes in my pocket.
depending on where i am, and what im doing, i often have multiples
granted, i never carry fixed blades, so im not sure why i am participating in this discussion.....LOL
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