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Knife laws Massachusetts
- Thread starter Rence
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MisterHappy
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There have been many discussions, including this one:
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/37516-MA-Knife-Carry-Law
IANAL, but your question is not specific enough.....If you're going hunting, or camping or whatever and it's in the car, I can see no reason for it to be a problem. If you have the exposed blade stuck in a crack in the dashboard for quick access at a red light....it's possible that John Law might have a bit of a problem, though there might not be any "real" gounds - witness the guy in Manchester-by-the-Sea - a slew of charges, then nothing stuck.
The knife laws are just as confusing as the gun laws....
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/37516-MA-Knife-Carry-Law
IANAL, but your question is not specific enough.....If you're going hunting, or camping or whatever and it's in the car, I can see no reason for it to be a problem. If you have the exposed blade stuck in a crack in the dashboard for quick access at a red light....it's possible that John Law might have a bit of a problem, though there might not be any "real" gounds - witness the guy in Manchester-by-the-Sea - a slew of charges, then nothing stuck.
The knife laws are just as confusing as the gun laws....
45collector
NES Member
Some towns have their own stupid "rules" too:
Don't be caught carrying any type of knife with a blade over 2.5" long in the following towns:
Boston
Cambridge
Revere
Beverly
Lynn
Salem
Lawrence
Worcester
Lowell too I think
IIRC Worcester says that if you have an LTC you don't have to comply with that statute.
Don't be caught carrying any type of knife with a blade over 2.5" long in the following towns:
Boston
Cambridge
Revere
Beverly
Lynn
Salem
Lawrence
Worcester
Lowell too I think
IIRC Worcester says that if you have an LTC you don't have to comply with that statute.
In God We Trust
NES Member
In other words, if you are in an area where you could possibly need one for self defense, its against the law.
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![[thinking]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/010.gif "Thinking [thinking]")
I thought in Boston and Worcester it's like 2.75".
Further, None of these knife ordinances are actual crimes, IIRC. They probably just fine you and steal your knife from you.
-Mike
Just stay off Skippy's porch in Cambridge with them and you should be ok...
![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
In God We Trust
NES Member
I really can't see a cop bothering a grown man minding his own buisness. Unless you have it clipped in your pocket with the cold steel logo displayed, how would they know you had one anyway? This is one of those laws that only apply to gangbangers or general scumbags IMO.
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So I've dug through the MGL and if I'm correct...
It is illegal to make or sell cane swords.
It is not illegal to own cane swords.
If you're in a city which does not have a ban on blades of 2.5 inches, the cane isn't spring loaded, and it only has 1 cutting edge.
Is that legal to carry?
It is illegal to make or sell cane swords.
It is not illegal to own cane swords.
If you're in a city which does not have a ban on blades of 2.5 inches, the cane isn't spring loaded, and it only has 1 cutting edge.
Is that legal to carry?
Most of the knife, IIRC, is written as a "possession during an arrest for X,Y,Z" where "X,Y,Z" includes "disturbing the peace"...
So, yes, for the most part that is how the law is abused, er, used, but keep in mind if you find yourself on your own porch trying to push the swollen door open in Cambridge - you might become one of "those people"...
It is very dangerous to ignore bad laws on the "they only enforce those against the bad guys" basis... One wrong step and you are now a bad guy to the arresting officer regardless of your intentions...
MisterHappy
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The cane sword is not legal for carry, as a sword is specifically prohibited. You can OWN one, just like you can OWN a dagger, sword, dirk, etc., but you may not carry it.
A buddy's father was almost hit by a car in a crosswalk, and in a fit of old-man pique, he threw the item in his pocket at the car. It happened to be a penknife, blade 2 inches or less. He was prosecuted for assault with a dangerous weapon. Since he was 70-ish, there was no jail time, but even with legal blades, if you have any sort of trouble, it's likely to be thrown into the mix....
YMMV, just be sensible.
A buddy's father was almost hit by a car in a crosswalk, and in a fit of old-man pique, he threw the item in his pocket at the car. It happened to be a penknife, blade 2 inches or less. He was prosecuted for assault with a dangerous weapon. Since he was 70-ish, there was no jail time, but even with legal blades, if you have any sort of trouble, it's likely to be thrown into the mix....
YMMV, just be sensible.
As a resident of one of the fine North Shore towns mentioned above, I am currently in compliance with the knife statute as I carry a Leatherman Juice S2. I used to carry something a bit larger, but realized that I should swap it for the multi-tool features that better suits my needs.
If I ever find myself in a situation where I may need it for something other than its intended uses, I also carry something else that is much more relevant to this website's theme.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
3.5inch S&W HRT Auto Knife, bought up in Salem, NH at the Army Barracks, just showed them my ticket n they gave it to me, you can also buy batons and other "fun stuff" up there with certain credentials...i always carry it.....i know firefighters that care rescue knives over 3 inches and they get introuble, if its needed for the job they should allow it, even off the job those who know how to use it should be allowed to.
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