After the events of 9/11, many people wanted to arm themselves. As a result, some got a pistol or a gun, while some people were anti-gun. They were looking to avoid the usage of a deadly weapon. Later, they found this self-defense tool, called the pocket knife.
Pocket knives are considerably efficient. They are lightweight, accessible, carryable, and, most importantly, sharp. Thus they became popular amongst anti-gun protesters. Additionally, it was clear that people under 18 will be unable to carry a gun. Hence the pocket knife was the best option for a self-defense weapon.
Is a pocket knife considered a weapon?
Because of its lethality, a pocket knife is a weapon. It’s illegal to carry weaponry in a public space with hostile intentions. As a result, if you have a pocket knife in public for aggressive purposes, the police can arrest you. Most pocket knives are sharp and can harm people. Thus by law, they are weapons.
Not only is pocket a knife a weapon, but it can be a concealed weapon as well. That is why many people should be careful before buying a pocket knife. If you live in the US, each state has its laws. Be sure to read your state’s or country’s laws regarding knife legislation.
If you live in Europe, things get complicated. The subject of weapons and pocket knives is dynamic. It’s constantly changing. Because there were so many terrorist attacks where the terrorist was using a pocket knife, the law changes frequently. That is why, before purchasing a pocket knife, be sure to check out your country’s knife legislation.
What are the consequences of the fact that a pocket knife is a weapon? Frankly, weapons are regulated. That is why owning one is serious. In addition, carrying one may lead to you being in trouble. Thus before making any purchase for a pocket knife, research. I made a list of knife legislation in different countries. However, I oblige you to read your country’s laws regarding knives and weapons before buying one, as illegally carrying one will get you in a world of trouble.
Is it illegal to carry a pocket knife under 18?
In most states, it’s legal for a minor to carry a pocket knife, even a concealed one. However, it’s illegal to sell a pocket knife to minors. As such, if someone gets caught selling a pocket knife to a minor, the police may arrest him. But, if a person under 18 gets caught carrying a pocket knife with no hostile intentions, he’s in the clear.
In the UK, there are many different laws about knives and their legal usage. Generally, it’s legal to carry a pocket (folding) knife under the right circumstances. So, if they suspect you of hostile intentions, the police can arrest you.
Additionally, in the UK, it’s illegal to sell a pocket (folding) knife to a minor if its blade is above 3 inches. (7.62 cm) Moreover, if someone gets caught with a knife whose blade is above 3 inches, he needs to give a valid reason.
Lastly, it’s illegal to use any knife or a pocket knife for an intimidating or hostile reason. Now, if an unfriendly threatens you, and you have to use self-defense techniques, then it’s legal.
To summarize, a minor can carry a concealed pocket knife in most countries. However, you ought to read your country’s knife legislation before purchasing one, as they’re different for each state.
Is it legal to carry a pocket knife for self-defense?
Generally speaking, it is legal to carry a pocket for self-defense. In most countries, if you have a valid reason to have a knife, then you’re in the clear. However, in some countries, the knife legislation is different. Because of that, be sure to read your state’s laws before you decide to purchase one.
In the UK, it’s legal to carry a concealed pocket knife for self-defense. The laws permit the carriage of blades if you have a valid reason. As such, it’s legal for a minor to carry a pocket knife for self-defense.
In the US, the knife legislation allows higher than average freedom. Hence it’s more manageable to own and carry a pocket knife, even for minors. However, each state has various laws. As a result, you ought to read your state’s regulations before getting one.
In Sweden, carrying a knife in public areas such as schools and parks is illegal. However, the carriage of a knife for self-defense in the street is legal. Be sure to read the full version before purchasing one.
In Italy, it’s legal to carry a pocket knife if you have a valid reason. As such, if you get caught with a pocket knife, and they suspect you to have hostile intentions, they can arrest you.
In France, the law is similar to Italy’s. There are no specific specifications about the knives that are legal to carry. However, if you get caught with malicious intent, you can get arrested.
Lastly, in China, you need to check in with the government to ensure it’s legal for you to carry one.
To summarize, each country has its knife legislation. As a result, you need to read your country’s before purchasing one.
What size knife is legal to carry?
Generally speaking, the size of a fixed knife that is legal to carry internationally is below 2.5 inches. (6.35 cm) However, if the police catch you having a pocket knife with hostile intentions, they can arrest you. In addition, the type of pocket knife you carry matters. Some blades are illegal to have on you, such as switchblade knives. Thus you ought not to buy one.
In the US, the legal length of a blade that is legal is below 3 inches. However, it may be different in various states. For example, in Ohio, there is no specific specification of the length of the blade that is legal. Another example is Arkansas. If you get checked with a knife that its edge is longer than 3.5 inches, you can get arrested. The main point is to check your state’s knife legislation before purchasing one.
In the UK, a blade that is longer than 3 inches (7.62 cm) is a deadly weapon. Thus carrying one is a felony. Before buying a knife in the UK, or traveling with one, confirm that he is shorter than 3 inches.
Which types of knives are illegal to carry?
Many types of pocket knives are legal. For example, penknife, jackknife, and multifunctional knife are allowed to carry. However, some varieties are just too deadly. As such, they are illegal worldwide. If you get caught with one of these, you will get thrown behind bars.
The Switchblade knife is illegal to carry in regulated countries. It’s an automatic knife that, in a press of a button, launches onto a target. Usually, armed forces and private armies own it. It’s lethal and can kill a target with a single launch. As a result, it’s illegal to carry worldwide.
The Flipknife is currently illegal in most countries and states. It works in a way that, with a press of a button, it opens up automatically. You can open it with one hand. Because of its lethality, some governments declared this knife to be illegal. Thus, it’s illegal to carry in public or to own in general.
Any knife that you disguise as a different object is illegal to carry. In the past, some people wanted to have a knife on them in a concealed way. They used a method in which they disguise their weapon as a different object. As of today, that is illegal in most regulated countries.
Generally, any knife that launches into an object, or opens up automatically with a single hand, is illegal to use and carry.
Conclusion
In this post, we covered the topic of a pocket knife as a weapon. Additionally, we went through some examples of what types of blades are illegal and if a minor can carry a pocket knife.
The single best piece of advice I can give you is to read your country’s knife legislation. As a result, you will avoid trouble and will stay safe.