Question: Carrying an Auto Knife

[gungate]

I am going to a Church "school" this weekend. I know I will be unable to carry a firearm, but am I legally able to carry an auto knife? The event I am going to I actually may need a knife (arts and crafts).

 

[cmb]

I've had more automatic knives than I can remember. They're not as one hand user friendly as most Axis Lock knives. The Dalton Battle Dragon (above the $ bill) is the only auto I have left. It's a "single purpose" rare bird! The 2 Benchmade Contegos are on me daily. After the pivot fasteners are adjusted, the weight of the blade is all that's required to open and close them. Totally one hand operation. Side opening Automatics require you to force them closed against the spring. Out the front autos are of limited use, because of tight tolerances in the handle. Any foreign substance on the blade will hinder their operation....been there, done that!

 

[systemmaster]

I am going to a Church "school" this weekend. I know I will be unable to carry a firearm, but am I legally able to carry an auto knife? The event I am going to I actually may need a knife (arts and crafts).

An auto knife is considered a "switchblade" under dangerous weapons criminal law and is illegal to carry without a CCW permit. They are legal to own, just not carry without.

2021 Maryland Statutes :: Criminal Law :: Title 4 - Weapon Crimes :: Subtitle 1 - General Provisions :: Section 4-101 - Dangerous Weapons

Justia Free Databases of US Laws, Codes & Statutes

law.justia.com

 

[gungate]

An auto knife is considered a "switchblade" under dangerous weapons criminal law and is illegal to carry without a CCW permit. They are legal to own, just not carry without.

2021 Maryland Statutes :: Criminal Law :: Title 4 - Weapon Crimes :: Subtitle 1 - General Provisions :: Section 4-101 - Dangerous Weapons

Justia Free Databases of US Laws, Codes & Statutes

law.justia.com

Right this is what I'm saying. I have my MD CCW I want to know if I can carry the auto knife in a school.

 

[hdatontodo]

Right this is what I'm saying. I have my MD CCW I want to know if I can carry the auto knife in a school.

What about this in 4-102

(b) Prohibited. -- A person may not carry or possess a firearm, knife, or deadly weapon of any kind on public school property.

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[gungate]

What about this in 4-102

(b) Prohibited. -- A person may not carry or possess a firearm, knife, or deadly weapon of any kind on public school property.

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Thanks. I am not sure that extends to private schools. Ah well. I'll use a regular knife.

 

[Bob A]

While I think "intent" applies to carriage of automatic knives in MD, there are few that are astough as my Benchmade Contego, which is a legal penknife. I can openit as quickly as any OTS auto.

Of course, it's frowned on to bring a knife to a gun fight; people will snicker, at your wake.

 

[Devil Dog]

Can carry openly, just not concealed.

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[Blaster229]

Can carry openly, just not concealed.

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I believe it's been ruled the visible pocket clip makes it "open carry".

 

[gungate]

Can carry openly, just not concealed.

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I can carry it concealed with my MD CCW. My only question was can it be carried in a private school. Still not 100% sure on that. But the event is over so for now the point it moot.

 

[bigcountry]

I have a MD CCW and I can't find where I can legally carry a gravity or spring assisted knife with the wear and carry. Could anyone show me a reference? I know stun guns and tasers are docemented

 

[hdatontodo]

I have a MD CCW and I can't find where I can legally carry a gravity or spring assisted knife with the wear and carry. Could anyone show me a reference? I know stun guns and tasers are docemented

You posted a similar question in this thread you started and an answer was given.

"other" deadly weapons with W&C permit

I have had police say the W&C only covers an approved handgun to be carried concealed or open. Not switchblades, not butterfly knives, etc. But I have seen some W&C instructors say different. Only thing I can find online covers stun guns or tasers with a permit.

www.mdshooters.com

 

[wpage]

For Delaware...

Delaware Knife Law – The Complete Guide (In Plain English)

"Stay informed and compliant with Delaware knife law! Learn about the types of knives allowed, age restrictions, carrying laws, and more in this comprehensive guide."

knifeade.com

 

[Biggfoot44]

An auto knife is considered a "switchblade" under dangerous weapons criminal law and is illegal to carry without a CCW permit. They are legal to own, just not carry without.

2021 Maryland Statutes :: Criminal Law :: Title 4 - Weapon Crimes :: Subtitle 1 - General Provisions :: Section 4-101 - Dangerous Weapons

Justia Free Databases of US Laws, Codes & Statutes

law.justia.com

NO !

They are illegal to * Conceal * w/o W&C . They may be open carried , if not with criminal intent .

 

[Biggfoot44]

You posted a similar question in this thread you started and an answer was given.

"other" deadly weapons with W&C permit

I have had police say the W&C only covers an approved handgun to be carried concealed or open. Not switchblades, not butterfly knives, etc. But I have seen some W&C instructors say different. Only thing I can find online covers stun guns or tasers with a permit.

www.mdshooters.com

And the link to 4-101 is in this thread also

 

[Biggfoot44]

For Delaware...

Delaware Knife Law – The Complete Guide (In Plain English)

"Stay informed and compliant with Delaware knife law! Learn about the types of knives allowed, age restrictions, carrying laws, and more in this comprehensive guide."

knifeade.com

Clicked on this from curiosity .

It reads as if it were machine translated from a foreign language , and doesn't even hang together with internal consistency .

Looked closer , and it is ( whatever the internet term for copied from ) from some place/ group called " Knifeade " . I'm familiar with a couple of legit knife/ tool rights organizations , but never heard of knifeade before .

 

[hdatontodo]

Question: Does the Baltimore Co Parks restriction on automatic knife possession override what the state allows with an HGP?

I clicked on Baltimore County here

Maryland State and Local Weapons Laws

...

www.marylandshallissue.org

And then looked at Article 30, 30-1-201 Prohibited Activities (c) Possession

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(ii) A dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade, sand club, metal knuckles, razor, nunchaku, or dart;

 

[eruby]

Can carry openly (without a permit), just not concealed.

^^ This

I believe it's been ruled the visible pocket clip makes it "open carry".

^^ And this

NO !

They are illegal to * Conceal * w/o W&C . They may be open carried , if not with criminal intent .

^^ And this as well.


Just because one has a permit, that doesn't mean an auto knife won't be confiscated by a zealous, and ignorant law dog.

You may get it back in time, but who knows.

Not saying it will be taken away, but recall one of our own being told open carry was illegal Downy Ohshun.

 

[Devil Dog]

I believe it's been ruled the visible pocket clip makes it "open carry".

I've never seen that. Do you have a source?
Thanks.

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[eruby]

I've never seen that. Do you have a source?
Thanks.

This is what I used to justify my carry of an auto knife, prior to getting the Crown's permission slip.

My knife could still be confiscated by Deputy Fife.

​

Maryland Knife Laws | American Knife and Tool Institute

Maryland law prohibits a person from carrying a dangerous weapon concealed on or about the person. Knife Laws in Maryland

www.akti.org

Concealment​

The opinion in the case of Smith v State, 308 A.2d 442 (1973) provides the test for concealment:

A weapon is “concealed” within statute prohibiting wearing or carrying a concealed weapon if it is so situated as not to be discernible by ordinary observation by those who would be near enough to see it if it were not concealed and who would come into contact with possessor in usual associations of life, but absolute invisibility is not required.

Concealment is an issue of fact to be determined by a jury and will be dependent on the circumstances presented. It cannot be definitively stated whether “pocket clip” carry would be considered concealed. One should take note of the warning that “absolute invisibility is not required.”