I’m a big fan of pocket knives. Ever since I was little, I had at least one I used all the time. However, some people are anti-knives. These people’s goal is to have a law against carrying knives legally. Thus they are constantly looking for ways to ban the ownage of pocket knives as a self-defense tool.
A pocket knife is sharp, lethal, accessible, lightweight, and, most importantly, harmful. When you ask whether such a weapon is deadly or not, it gets a bit tricky. Because each country or state has its laws regarding knife legislation, each one can choose whether or not it’s legal to have one.
In this post, I’ll cover the topic of whether a pocket knife is considered a deadly weapon and many other questions you may want to know. I encourage you to read some of my other work regarding knives by clicking here.
Is A Pocket Knife Considered A Deadly Weapon?
Generally, because of its capability to injure and harm others or yourself, the vast majority of countries and states consider it to be a deadly weapon. However, certain countries prefer not to view it to be such a weapon. Thus it’s principally legal to carry worldwide.
When someone feels defensless and wants to arm themselves without using a gun, they’ll buy a knife for themselves. Why should these people purchase such a tool? Because the number of benefits a knife provides is solely too high to ignore. Today, it became popular amongst large groups who wish to defend themselves in the easiest way possible.
Each one of us feels defensless at times. Who doesn’t know a story where a tourist gets robbed by some locals when he’s traveling. When traveling, you must have a self-defense tool, even if it’s simple as pepper spray. Because you may get robbed or attacked by unfriendlies, you want to have a self-defense tool at the time of the attack. So, you can avoid injuries and ultimately not lose anything.
People who are anti-knives and anti weapons rely on individuals like us to defend them. Because of that, you must stay aware of your surroundings, even when you are wearing headphones. Hence when the time arrives, you’ll be ready to protect anyone who requires help. We are individuals who protect and not people who ignore everyone.
To summarize, in most countries and states, a knife is considered to be a deadly weapon. Thus when you carry one, you are required to have valid reasons. Since those things can seriously injure someone, you have responsibility. Use it wisely, or the local authorities will punish you.
Are you considered armed if you have a knife?
As I’ve mentioned previously, In most states, a knife is a deadly weapon. Thus if you carry one, you are armed. In addition, for self-defense purposes, it’s legal to take a pocket knife on you to most places you go.
Many people arm themselves because they’re tired of feeling defensless. However, some of them are afraid to be armed. Because being armed means having some class of weapon on you, they may avoid having one in the first place. As a result, many individuals will prefer not to purchase a self-defense tool.
Hence when you have one for yourself, ensure you are listening to the surroundings. Since you have a responsibility, you must stay aware consistently. If you won’t, you’ll miss a person’s call for help.
Ultimately, if you carry a pocket knife on you for self-defense purposes, you are armed. Thus you need to have a clean record. If the local authorities catch you without a good reason, they can arrest you and punish you.
Can you go to jail for having a pocket knife?
In many states and countries worldwide, carrying certain types of knives is illegal. If your pocket knife opens up automatically, it’s illegal to have it in public. As a result, if you get caught, local authorities can put you in jail. However, in most cases, if you’re intentions are positive, you won’t get punished.
I have an entire post about knife legislation in many countries and internationally. I encourage you to read it before ordering a knife for yourself.
Mostly, carrying a pocket knife in regulated countries is legal. However, there are some exceptions. For this reason, I recommend you to read your own country or state’s laws regarding the ownage of a knife. In addition, do your research. The last thing you want is law-enforcements catching you, and you get in trouble.
There are certain instances where carrying a knife is illegal and can get you behind bars. For example, when you want to travel to another country, you usually do it by airplane. In the US, the TSA is notably strict when it comes to the safety of public transportation. As a result, you won’t be able to bring a knife on you on the flight itself. But, you can take most knives with you inside checked baggage.
Is it legal to carry a pocket knife for self-defense?
Generally, it’s legal to carry a pocket knife for self-defense. In most cases, if you have valid reasons to have one, you’ll be allowed to stock one. However, in some countries such as China, carrying a pocket knife in public is more troublesome.
First, you have to ensure you have a valid reason to carry one in the first place. If your reason is to assassinate someone, and you get caught, local authorities will arrest you. On the other hand, if your reason to carry one is so you can defend yourself in the time of need, you’re in the clear.
If you think about it, it’s logical. If you have a definite reason to carry one, you’re unstoppable. Even if someone arrests you and looking for answers, you’ll know what to say. Carrying a pocket knife in public is a big deal. As a result, some governments will be strict in the matter of having them.
Overall, carrying a pocket knife in public is a big deal. Thus getting one in the first place will be rough. However, once you read your local knife legislation, you’ll know what you can and can’t do. After that, you’ll know which knives you can have on you for self-defense purposes.
Is a knife better than a gun for self-defense?
Overall, many factors are involved, and I can’t say a definitive answer to that question. However, I’ll tell you what I am familiar with from my experience as a special forces operator.
If the hostile is relatively close to you, until he’ll pull the pistol and load it, you’ll already be charging at him. On the other hand, if you’re distanced from each other until you’ll reach him with a knife, he’d have a loaded gun.
Overall, the rule you should follow is the distance between the two people. The individual with the pistol needs to keep his distance. If he consistently manages to do so, he’ll win. The individual using a knife needs to close his gap. If he can do so, he will eventually come out on top.
In my time in the military, I learned there is no answer to this question. I had a knife in my plate carrier in any operation. I was preparing for the time when I’ll need a close-range weapon. Although I had a rifle on me, I didn’t want to risk it.
Whether or not I used it to defend myself or attack someone doesn’t matter. What matters is the fact that you can use both worlds to your advantage. A pistol is more lethal but harder to use. A knife requires you to be near your opponent, but it’s simple to use.
To summarize, each weapon has its advantages. I prefer having a pistol on me and not a knife. Since I can use a gun from any range, I can assist anyone who requires help. Contrary to that, you can enjoy both worlds, and that is completely fine.
What happens if you get caught with a knife?
If you get caught with a knife and have a valid reason for that, you’re in the clear. However, if you get caught with malicious intent, local authorities may arrest you, and you can end up in jail.
Because a knife is a deadly weapon in most countries, having bad intentions while carrying one is a big deal. As such, you need to be responsible for yourself and others. When you take a weapon such as that, being wise and mature is the basics. You can’t expect to defend others if you’re not sure how to be respectful.
Many people are against carrying knives. There are positive it causes more harm than good. That is solely a myth. Terrorists who wish to get a pocket knife to injure civilians will eventually get them. We, the people who want to defend themselves and their surroundings, are with the most responsibility. These anti-weapon protesters rely on us to support them. While that may sound not fair, it is what it is. We must defend anyone who is seeking assistance and protection.
In general, if you get caught with a pocket knife in a regulated country, you’re are not overlapping any laws. As such, you’re in the clear. However, if you’re breaking your local regulations regarding weapons, local authorities can arrest you. Ultimately, you ending up in jail is a possibility.
Conclusion
Carrying a pocket knife is legal in most regulated countries. As a result, if you have a valid reason to take one, you are not breaking any law. Thus you’re in the clear. However, if having a pocket knife on you or simply owning one is against your local regulations regarding weapons, law-enforcement individuals can arrest you, and you can end up in jail.