Thursday, May 10, 2012

Silly Knife Laws



More from Jay G:

It has always struck me as the height of insanity that my MA LTC allows me to carry pretty much any handgun that I want, yet I cannot carry a knife with a 3" blade that has a little spring inside it to help the blade deploy. Ditto a knife with a double-edge, a balisong, or a gravity knife. This isn't limited to MA, either - there are many states where assisted openers or other types of knives are illegal, yet CCW permits are issued. Some states have it right and cover everything under the CCW - concealed carry weapon being the operative word. Others, like New Hampshire, have removed all prohibitions on knives so they can be carried regardless.

And it's yet another thing to be aware of when traveling across the country.

And it's not just Massachusetts being dumb. Lots of states have this sillyness.

For example in the Indiana Code on Prohibited Instruments:

IC 35-47-5-2
Knife with blade that opens automatically or may be propelled
Sec. 2. It is a Class B misdemeanor for a person to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a blade that:
(1) opens automatically; or
(2) may be propelled;
by hand pressure applied to a button, device containing gas, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife.

Mind you, Indiana is a Shall Issue state with no training requirements, lifetime permits and equal standing on Open Carry versus Concealed Carry. Oh and machine guns are legal here, but not throwing stars or short barreled shot guns.

And yes, there is a Knife Rights group.

No comments: