legal?

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • rmocarsky

    Active Member
    Apr 20, 2011
    294
    Quick question which I cannot seem to find a quick answer.

    Are assisted opening knives (i.e., Kershaw Link) legal in the District of Columbia?

    Rmocarsky
     

    Cold Steel

    Active Member
    Sep 26, 2006
    801
    Bethesda, MD
    D.C. Law is as follows:

    D.C. Code § 22-4504 (2012)

    § 22-4504. Carrying concealed weapons; possession of weapons during commission of crime of violence; penalty [Formerly § 22-3204]

    (a) No person shall carry within the District of Columbia either openly or concealed on or about their person, a pistol, or any deadly or dangerous weapon capable of being so concealed.

    Most assisted opening knives are too small to be weapons. If your knife can be shown to be a tool, there's nothing to fear. If you've never been convicted of a violent crime, I wouldn't worry. I carry a 6-inch blade knife for protection all the time in D.C. It could be considered a dangerous weapon, but I don't commit crimes, so I don't care.

    Bottom line, just don't carry a dangerous weapon. I've been a victim of violent crime, so I've determined never to be without some means of defense. But I use my knife as as tool and can prove it. Any tool can be a weapon, and if you have a clean record, you should be fine.

    --
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Assisted opening is not treated differently than otherwise identical non- assisted folder .
     

    P-12 Norm

    Why be normal?
    Sep 9, 2009
    1,617
    Bowie, MD
    D.C. Law is as follows:

    D.C. Code § 22-4504 (2012)

    § 22-4504. Carrying concealed weapons; possession of weapons during commission of crime of violence; penalty [Formerly § 22-3204]

    (a) No person shall carry within the District of Columbia either openly or concealed on or about their person, a pistol, or any deadly or dangerous weapon capable of being so concealed.

    Most assisted opening knives are too small to be weapons. If your knife can be shown to be a tool, there's nothing to fear. If you've never been convicted of a violent crime, I wouldn't worry. I carry a 6-inch blade knife for protection all the time in D.C. It could be considered a dangerous weapon, but I don't commit crimes, so I don't care.

    Bottom line, just don't carry a dangerous weapon. I've been a victim of violent crime, so I've determined never to be without some means of defense. But I use my knife as as tool and can prove it. Any tool can be a weapon, and if you have a clean record, you should be fine.

    --

    I have a Microtech SOCOM Elite with a 4" blade I sometimes carry, and have carried into DC. I actually went into the DHS HQ on 1st St NE for a job, and going through the metal detector, the security guard looked at it, said "Tool for work?" to which I replied yes, and I was on my way.
     

    Hattie

    Active Member
    Sep 18, 2012
    178
    See DC Code sec. 22-4514(b):

    (b) No person shall within the District of Columbia possess, with intent to use unlawfully against another, an imitation pistol, or a dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, or other dangerous weapon.
     

    WildWeasel

    Active Member
    Mar 31, 2019
    468
    MI>FL>MD
    See DC Code sec. 22-4514(b):

    (b) No person shall within the District of Columbia possess, with intent to use unlawfully against another, an imitation pistol, or a dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, or other dangerous weapon.

    So what are the key takeaways? If you don't intend for unlawful use, blade length doesn't matter? Or that it's fine to use unlawfully if it's under 3 inches..?
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,915
    Messages
    7,258,434
    Members
    33,348
    Latest member
    Eric_Hehl

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom