[Rvrctyrngr]

I know this isnt a firearm question but i am sure some of you know the answer so, do you need a CCW to carry a fixed blade knife concealed if the blade legnth is only 3 1/2 inches? the statutes are very vague in this area. i know a folding knife is legal with no CCW but i ws unsure if being a fixed blade made a difference?

Short answer: Yes, you do. A fixed blade is considered a 'weapon' for the purposes of 'carrying a concealed weapon'. Blade length is irrelevant for the purpose of this discussion.

You can, however, legally carry one openly..doesn't mean you won't have a police issue, though.

...and yes...Florida Statutes where knives are concerned are annoyingly vague.

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

Gutmacher on Page 105 in his Sixth Edition says that Florida Law allows the carrying of a "common pocket knife" without a permit. The Supreme Court has defined that to be a folding pocket knife with a blade of four inches or less.

OK, I am going to add to the discussion here. My son was complaining that he doesn't have a good pocket knife to use for work. So I gave him a not too expensive but nice little pocket knife that I carried around with me. It is a sturdy thing and I could snap it open with a flick of my thumb. I miss the little knife so I just ordered from online a spring assisted knife. It has a 4.5 inch blade and you just flick it and it opens. I don't know how good its going to be. I didn't pay much for it. I just want to try it and see if I like the way a spring assisted knife feels. If I like it I will probably buy a more expensive one for self defense.

My question. Reading the FL Statutes I see no reason to think that a spring assisted folding knife would be illegal to carry with a CWFL in Florida. I don't see where the blade size is an issue either if you have a CWFL permit. Am I right in interpreting the Chapter or am I mistaken? Gutmacher does not address this in his book. He simply addresses what is legal to carry without a CWFL permit. I think it is because there is no limit on the knife if you have a permit.

Henry, with a CWFL, you could carry a Katana shoved down your pants if you so desired. With the license, a knife is a knife, regardless of blade length or opening action.

It is when one does not have a CWFL that issues arise.