I thought I read somewhere automatics are flat out illegal to possess in MD ??
The way I understand Maryland's knife laws (and I never go anywhere without at least one knife) is that non-automatic folding knives are good to go with no blade size limit. Any fixed blade, no matter what size, cannot be carried concealed. A large folding knife can be legally carried concealed even with the blade locked open.
It always irked me that I could concealed carry my Cold Steel Pocket Bushman with 4.5" blade locked open by it's strong lock but I could not slip my Esee Candiru (5" overall, 2" blade) into my pants pocket without carrying a concealed and deadly weapon.
In Colorado the laws say I can concealed carry a knife with a blade length (measured from the end of the handle) that is 3.5" or less (3.25" inside Denver) and there is no difference between carrying a folding or fixed blade knife. Up in the small mountain towns it's common to see people open carrying Kabars on their belt.
I thought I read somewhere automatics are flat out illegal to possess in MD ??
I thought I read somewhere automatics are flat out illegal to possess in MD ??
All this had an effect on how I saw knives. I always had a love for knives, and collected them and carried a few on me all the time. Mostly slip joint pocket knives. Maryland was funny about sheath knives, and one concealed was a no-no. But a folding knife, as long as it was not a "switchblade" was okay even if it had an 8 inch blade. So I never got to carry my fixed blades much, so most of them got sold off along the way.
But wouldn't it just be easier to carry a folding knife? Many knives nowdays can be virtually as strong as fixed blades. Anything can be a "dangerous weapon" from a roll of dimes to a rock. And virtually all folding knives are legal if concealed, even if their blades are as large as a fixed blade.The statute just says "a dangerous weapon" and gives dirks and bowies as examples, while explicitly excluding non-auto folders. It's just that the statute is too vague for anyone to feel secure doing so, as it leaves the legality of the fixed blade up to the authorities to judge.
Sooo, you can carry an auto in your pocket by the carry clip? (Clip exposed) If I’m reading you right.No, they are not. You can carry them so long as it is not concealed, and a pocket clip is not considered concealed. It is illegal to sell, barter, or trade an auto-knife. But you can give them away as gifts.
But wouldn't it just be easier to carry a folding knife? Many knives nowdays can be virtually as strong as fixed blades. Anything can be a "dangerous weapon" from a roll of dimes to a rock. And virtually all folding knives are legal if concealed, even if their blades are as large as a fixed blade.
If people keep their noses clean, they can get away with carrying almost anything not specifically forbidden. Unless you're a member of a biker gang, chances are you'll be okay. (The only real reason they'd go after you for carrying a handgun is for moral reasons, and they consider all handguns, except those used by cops, to be immoral. And, BTW, if you ever are detained for carrying a concealed handgun, try telling them you use it for postnatal abortions. They may actually give you a permit!)
I sometimes carry a large folding knife, and when I worked at NIH, I was forbidden to have any knife with a blade over 3.25-inches. One day, one of the secretaries noticed me opening a large, taped package (I got them every two weeks, as they contained drafts) with my Voyager 5-inch. She reported me, and my boss called me in to find out more. She told me what the secretary had told her and I showed her my Voyager 3-inch knife and told her it was in the regulated norm. She looked at it, but of course I didn't show her the 5-inch knife in my other pocket. She looked confused and asked me not to carry it anymore since it bothered the secretary, and that I didn't need it. Okay, I replied, that was fine by me as I had been intending to speak to her on a similar matter. I explained to her that long blades bothered me, too, and that I had seen other people in the office, including secretaries, using long scissors with blades exceeding seven inches. Since we were on the topic, I suggested we find some scissors with shorter blades, preferably under 3.5-inches.
No one ever bothered me about my knife since.
The thing about liberals are that they are born hypocrites. Hypocrisy is at the core of everything they believe and hold dear. And when shown up, they generally just go into a sort of shock. But I did stop carrying my 5-inch knife very shortly thereafter. You see, I got a 6-inch Voyager that was just as concealable. I no longer felt the need for the 5-incher. I was more discreet, however.
Isn't intent a factor in carrying any weapon in Maryland? Technically, if you carry a large blade of any type for defense, that's illegal, isn't it? It shows an intent to do someone harm, thus escalating a situation. I'm no attorney, but I'd f like to know as I've been known to carry a 7.5-inch folder in this wretched state. It opens automatically as it's taken from the pocket.Intent is important too. Can't carry a fixed blade for self defense against another human or with the intent to harm others. Have to have an articulable, credible, other reason for the carry. Minors have more restrictions related to time of day for folding and fixed blades.
Isn't intent a factor in carrying any weapon in Maryland? Technically, if you carry a large blade of any type for defense, that's illegal, isn't it? It shows an intent to do someone harm, thus escalating a situation. I'm no attorney, but I'd f like to know as I've been known to carry a 7.5-inch folder in this wretched state. It opens automatically as it's taken from the pocket.
If shown to a jury, I might have a difficult time explaining why it's not a weapon.