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Posted: 9/13/2004 4:24:38 PM EDT
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I checked the FAQ here and at Bladeforums, and couldn't find an relavent information. I was under the impression that a blade of a carry knife could be as along as 4". A friend of mine (literally, he's a person who is not me), stumbled across a law stating that a "dangerous knife" must have a blade shorter than 3.5". I understood from following definitions that it was limited to fixed blades and that folders are exempt; he is sorrowfully convinced otherwise, and would like to know he's wrong, since he just bought a Buck Model 110 Folding Hunter with a 3.75" blade. I will post the contents of that law as soon as I find a postable copy. Don't bother wondering about it until I ETA the text, unless you have definite information. The conversion from .doc didn't work out too well, and all the words were split into individual letters, listed entirely on the left side. Thanks. ETA: here is the text of the law. Updated 4/22/2002 Washington Crimes and Punishments RCW 9.41.250 Dangerous weapons -- Penalty. Every person who: (1) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement; (2) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or (3) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. Effective date -- 1994 RCW 9.41.270 Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm -- Unlawful carrying or handling -- Penalty -- Exceptions. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. (2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license. (3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following: (a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business; (b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty; (c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person; (d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or (e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments. Effective date -- 1994 http://www.knife-expert.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Seattle Municipal Code Information retrieved February 7, 2001 http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=&s2=knife&S3=&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect1=IMAGE&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CODE1&d=CODE&p=1&u=/~public/code1.htm&r=5&Sect6=HITOFF&f=L3;1;12A.14.010.HEAD. SMC 12A.14.010 Definitions. The following definitions apply in this chapter: A. "Dangerous knife" means any fixed-blade knife and any other knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches (31/2") in length. B. "Fixed-blade knife" means any knife, regardless of blade length, with a blade which is permanently open and does not fold, retract or slide into the handle of the knife, and includes any dagger, sword, bayonet, bolo knife, hatchet, axe, straight-edged razor, or razor blade not in a package, dispenser or shaving appliance. C. "Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. D. "Personal protection spray device" means a commercially available dispensing device designed and intended for use in self-defense and containing a nonlethal sternutator or lacrimator agent, including but not limited to: 1. Tear gas, the active ingredient of which is either chloracetophenone (CN) or O-chlorobenzylidene malonotrile (CS); or 2. Other agent commonly known as mace, pepper mace, or pepper gas. E. "Switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring mechanism, or other device, or a blade that opens, falls or is ejected into position by force of gravity or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement. (Ord. 117157 Section 2, 1994: Ord. 116872 Section 11, 1993: Ord. 113547 Section 1, 1987: Ord. 112103 Section 1, 1985: Ord. 110785 Section 1, 1982: Ord. 110462 Section 1, 1982: Ord. 103472 Section 1, 1974: Ord. 102843 Section 12A.17.010 , 1973.) --------------------------------------------------------------- This prohibits the carry of "dangerous knives. http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=&s2=knife&S3=&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect1=IMAGE&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CODE1&d=CODE&p=1&u=/~public/code1.htm&r=5&Sect6=HITOFF&f=L3;1;12A.14.080.HEAD. SMC 12A.14.080 Unlawful use of weapons. It is unlawful for a person knowingly to: A. Sell, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry any blackjack, sand-club, metal knuckles, switchblade knife, chako sticks, or throwing stars; or B. Carry concealed or unconcealed on his or her person any dangerous knife, or carry concealed on his or her person any deadly weapon other than a firearm; or C. Possess a firearm in any stadium or convention center operated by a city, county or other municipality, except that such restriction shall not apply to: 1. Any pistol in the possession of a person licensed under RCW 9.41.070 or exempt from the licensing requirement by RCW 9.41.060, or 2. Any showing, demonstration or lecture involving the exhibition of firearms. D. Sell or give away to any person under eighteen (18) years of age any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to purchase any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to possess any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm except when under the direct supervision of an adult. (Ord. 117157 Section 5, 1994: Ord. 116872 Section 14, 1993: Ord. 113547 Section 3, 1987: Ord. 110785 Section 2, 1982: Ord. 110462 Section 2, 1982: Ord. 110179 Section 2, 1981: Ord. 109674 Section 12, 1981: Ord. 108814 Section 3, 1980: Ord. 102843 Section 12A.17.140 , 1973.) Subsection B regulating the carrying of certain knives is a reasonable restriction of the right to bear arms. Seattle v. Riggins, 63 Wn.Ap.313, 818 P.2d 1100 (1991). A citation as "carrying a concealed weapon" with the code section number is sufficient to charge a violation of SMC 12A.14.080 B. Seattle v. Hall, 60 Wn.App. 645, 806 P.2d 1246 (1991). The prohibition of knowing possessing of chako sticks does not conflict with state law and is not preempted by the state Juvenile Justice Act. State v. Rabon, 45 Wn.App. 832, 727 P.2d 995 (1986). http://www.knife-expert.com |
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According to the documents you posted, all fixed-blade knives are considered "dangerous weapons." Also, *ANY* knife with a blade longer than 3.5" is also considered a "dangerous weapon" whether it is fixed or a folder or whatever. Just what I'm reading from the information you posted... I'm not a lawyer! HTH! -Randy ETA: Seattle Codes are more restrictive than the state laws. The state says it is illegal to carry concealed, but Seattle says it is illegal to carry concealed or in the open. |
Like I said, I'm no lawyer, but the language of the law is pretty plain. Since you mention that your friend is on the UW campus, they may have even more restrictive guidelines for the carry of knives while on campus. He should check with them anyways. From the UW website "(f) Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals or other dangerous weapons or instrumentalities on the University campus, except for authorized University purposes, unless prior written approval has been obtained from the Vice President for Student Affairs, or any other person designated by the President of the University (see WAC 478-124-020 (2)(e)) (legal defense sprays are not covered by this section)" In Seattle, there is no carry of any fixed blade knives. You can only carry a folder that is 3.5" or less, either concealed or in the open. HTH. |
good luck with that! I tried, the guy just sits in a conference with you and acts like he doesn't understand how you could possibly be so mentally deffective as to want to carry anything for defensive purposes on this wonderful peaceful campus. Glad I got out of there in June. |
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