[Kgregson]

Can somebody translate the knife laws in florida? I have seen charts of how long, folder or auto, and all this others stuff, but here is my questions:

How long (folded or open)?

Auto or folder?

Does having a concealed carry permit change anything?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Cthulhu]

You can buy and own an auto knife or butterfly knife, but you can't carry it without a CWFL. You can't own anything that actually shoots the blade out, where the blade physically separates from the handle.

There's no explicit restriction on blade length that I know of, just a mention of a "common pocketknife" not being a weapon, and the mention of items not specifically designed to be weapons. There's a lot of subjectivity there, so if you don't have your concealed carry license, I wouldn't take any risks by carrying anything that could be construed as a weapon and not a "common pocketknife".

A fixed-blade tanto would be very hard to argue as a "common pocketknife". But, if you have your CWFL and have some way of effectively carrying it concealed, have at it.

-JT

 

[Kgregson]

I was thinking more in the line of a 4 inch auto, but from what you said I assume that means I need the CWFL?

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

I'm not about to decipher FL's knife laws, since they are so vague as to defy logic....however...

With a CWFL, you can pretty much conceal any 'weapon' you like (as defined by the statutes). Shove a Katana in your pants if it trips your switch.

Where it gets iffy is if you don't have a CWFL. Kinda hard to discern from the statutes which knives are 'weapons' and which are 'common pocket knives' (i.e., not a weapon).

Though Autos are legal in FL, I wouldn't carry one without a CWFL.

Even though I have a CWFL and normally carry some sort of auto, I'll switch that out for a small Kershaw or such if I'm going into some place where I can't carry a 'weapon'.

 

[Mongoose]

I am sure that you can carry a fixed blade on your side without any cover and be fine. As far as I can tell there is no law against open carry. But when you cover it up, then you need your paper work in order.




Ray

 

[SGB]

Cthulhu & Rvrctyrngr pretty much nailed it.

 

[Cthulhu]

I am sure that you can carry a fixed blade on your side without any cover and be fine. As far as I can tell there is no law against open carry. But when you cover it up, then you need your paper work in order.

Ray

I would never recommend this, but if you care to try it, go ahead. Be sure to let us know when you get hassled by police, business owners, etc. I guarantee it'll happen. Repeatedly.

-JT

 

[Mongoose]

I would never recommend this, but if you care to try it, go ahead. Be sure to let us know when you get hassled by police, business owners, etc. I guarantee it'll happen. Repeatedly.

-JT

I do it along with my brother. There is no law not to do it. One cop asked my brother why he has a knife on his side, and he told the leo, "The same reason your have a knife on your side!" My brother called the local police and ASKED. He was told that he could carry a machete if he wanted as long as he don't misuse it.

My brother then told the cop that he would call his bluff and told the cop to go ahead and arrest him. The cop just shook his head and walked away.



ray

 

[deadeyedick]

I would never recommend this, but if you care to try it, go ahead. Be sure to let us know when you get hassled by police, business owners, etc. I guarantee it'll happen. Repeatedly.

-JT

I wouldn't be too sure of that...I think it all depends on the situation. If you have a fixed-blade knife in a sheath on your belt while wearing a polo shirt and khakis in an office environment, then you're going to draw attention. If you're at Home Depot wearing jeans and a t-shirt with that same knife, nobody will even notice. I have openly carried a fixed-blade on several occasions and nobody has ever made an issue out of it.

This assumes that you'd be carrying a traditional fixed-blade knife in the 6" range...you likely would draw some unwanted attention if you were carrying something along the lines of a machete or a Roman gladius. :laughing

 

[Japle]

I know of nothing in the law that prevents you from carrying an auto. Lots of people on forums have said you need a CCW to carry one, but I haven't seen a legal reference.

Be advised that most cops will take your auto away from you if get into a big enough argument to attract their attention. If you get searched, you're probably gonna lose the knife. You can try to get a receipt. Good luck with that.

I carry a Boker auto. I also carry two guns and a spare mag and a Surefire light. If I get to the point where I need the knife, I doubt the Boker will be a serious issue.

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

I wouldn't be too sure of that...I think it all depends on the situation. If you have a fixed-blade knife in a sheath on your belt while wearing a polo shirt and khakis in an office environment, then you're going to draw attention. If you're at Home Depot wearing jeans and a t-shirt with that same knife, nobody will even notice. I have openly carried a fixed-blade on several occasions and nobody has ever made an issue out of it.

This assumes that you'd be carrying a traditional fixed-blade knife in the 6" range...you likely would draw some unwanted attention if you were carrying something along the lines of a machete or a Roman gladius. :laughing

I've carried a Cold Steel Tanto on numerous occasions around here without incident. It's not exactly a 'work' looking knife, either! (important safety tip....when you get your CWFL renewal notice...SEND IT IN!).

 

[Kgregson]

I know of nothing in the law that prevents you from carrying an auto. Lots of people on forums have said you need a CCW to carry one, but I haven't seen a legal reference.

Be advised that most cops will take your auto away from you if get into a big enough argument to attract their attention. If you get searched, you're probably gonna lose the knife. You can try to get a receipt. Good luck with that.

I carry a Boker auto. I also carry two guns and a spare mag and a Surefire light. If I get to the point where I need the knife, I doubt the Boker will be a serious issue.

If you are within your right to carry an auto why would they be able to take your auto? It shouldn't be any different then carrying a gun with a cwfl.

 

[SGB]

Originally Posted by Japle View Post
I know of nothing in the law that prevents you from carrying an auto. Lots of people on forums have said you need a CCW to carry one, but I haven't seen a legal reference.

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.--

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3) This section does not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm pursuant to the provisions of s. 790.06.

790.001 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, except where the context otherwise requires:


(13) "Weapon" means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife.

 

[capngeo]

Damn near every 1% biker I know open carries a fixed blade all the time... even in the bar. Never heard of one hassled about it.

 

[Cthulhu]

I won't go so far to say I stand corrected, but it seems others have had fairly uneventful open knife carry experiences.

Regarding carrying an auto, I wouldn't want to risk trying to convince a judge/jury that an auto folder was a "common pocketknife". If you've got the money for the lawyer to argue that, have fun with that. Personally, I don't see a fun side of being a test case.

-JT

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

I won't go so far to say I stand corrected, but it seems others have had fairly uneventful open knife carry experiences.

Regarding carrying an auto, I wouldn't want to risk trying to convince a judge/jury that an auto folder was a "common pocketknife". If you've got the money for the lawyer to argue that, have fun with that. Personally, I don't see a fun side of being a test case.

-JT

Depends on what's being tested.

 

[SwampRat]

Damn near every 1% biker I know open carries a fixed blade all the time... even in the bar. Never heard of one hassled about it.

And a ballpeen hammer

 

[SGB]

Regarding carrying an auto, I wouldn't want to risk trying to convince a judge/jury that an auto folder was a "common pocketknife". If you've got the money for the lawyer to argue that, have fun with that. Personally, I don't see a fun side of being a test case.

-JT

I agree

Auto Knives (Switchblades) have a "History" of being carried for and used as a Weapon. Further the FEDERAL restrictions on import and interstate commerce of them I believe would further substantiate a prosecutors argument as to qualifying as such.

 

[Ghost]

Recently I was forced by my wife to take her to Joannes fabrics so she could do some shopping. While there a 1% biker was in there by himself shopping for fabric. (looked really out of place) He was carrying a very large fixed blade knife stuck into his pants. At the time it made me kind of nervous as I think I was the only person there that noticed. Made me wonder what the laws were regarding that. Now after reading this thread I see all was o.k.

Forgot to mention that I was carrying and kept my threat level assessment at high higher level while we were there.

Thanks to all for the heads up.

 

[ubgomes]

"common pocket knife"

A "common pocket knife" in cop terms is a folder that the blade does not exceed 3" sharpened on one side only, and the blade is not over 3.5" total.
That is what you can carry in your pocket if you have no permit.
The law will allow you to carry a large hunting knife in plane sight. Not a dirk, dagger, or sword.
It has been a common practice in the biker world for over the past 40 years for them to wear a least a Buck Folding Hunter in plane sight on their belt at all times. Even convicted felons can legally do this once they're not on probation/parole.
As, to the question why, answer is cause most can't legally carry a gun.
As far as "legal front & side opening switchblades" are concerned, to legally carry one in Florida it had to be manufactured in Florida.
You can legally own Italian or whatever, but it must be made in Floridia to carry, and as you know, you must have concealled weapons permit.