PA Switchblade Carry?
I am wondering if it may be legal to carry a Stiletto Switchblade in PA. The law says "Legitimate Purpose" required, would self-defense count? What would a legitimate purpose be, exactly?
I am wondering if it may be legal to carry a Stiletto Switchblade in PA. The law says "Legitimate Purpose" required, would self-defense count? What would a legitimate purpose be, exactly?
Comments
I STRONGLY suggest you visit a law library or other general reference to find your answer. YA is fine for many things but this may not address what you want. Often, visiting the local gun and knife store will help answer your questions.
i've got owne a pair of switchblade knives by using the years and can vouch for the shown fact that they are the main inexpensive products of junk in the worldwide. The steel they are many times made up of is substandard on the two the blade and the physique of the knife. If regulation enforcement became sensible, they could call for that switchblades be legalized so as that the punks on the streets could start up wearing them and making themselves much less complicated targets for knowledgeable cops to handle. in case you like a knife that operates equivalent to a switchblade yet is extra useful in high quality (in different words, it won't snap in a million/2 and decrease you on the knuckles) then i could propose you examine out the multitude of wrestle and survival variety folding knives that are attainable in the present day. those are seen in basic terms "pocket knives" yet may well be opened as quickly as a switchblade employing one hand and hire better steels and blade locking mechanisms that are no longer companies to failure. the entire hoopla over swtichblades got here approximately lower back in the Nineteen Fifties while James Dean made the movie, "revolt without reason". The movie became so nicely gained that persons offered into the storyline that teenage delinquents have been going around threatening those with switchbladed knives. in basic terms yet another occasion of ways existence tries to imitates fiction, and not any other way around.
No, some crack pot claim of self defense doesn't magically make a switchblade legal.
This likely means cripples can carry them for hunting, which is expressly spelled out in Michigan's knife laws. Having one arm is a reason to need switchblade, not some fantasy you have of stabbing people trying to kill you.
It is illegal to carry any switchblade knife. I'm not sure what legitimate carry is. It's too bad though, those knives are awesome.
The only time possession for "lawful purpose" appears is involving possession on school property. It looks as if it is generally prohibited.
Title 18 § 908. Prohibited offensive weapons.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized by law, he makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in, uses, or possesses any offensive weapon.
(b) Exceptions.--
It is a defense under this section for the defendant to prove by a preponderance of evidence that he possessed or dealt with the weapon solely as a curio or in a dramatic performance, or that, with the exception of a bomb, grenade or incendiary device, he complied with the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.), or that he possessed it briefly in consequence of having found it or taken it from an aggressor, or under circumstances similarly negativing any intent or likelihood that the weapon would be used unlawfully.
This section does not apply to police forensic firearms experts or police forensic firearms laboratories. Also exempt from this section are forensic firearms experts or forensic firearms laboratories operating in the ordinary course of business and engaged in lawful operation who notify in writing, on an annual basis, the chief or head of any police force or police department of a city, and, elsewhere, the sheriff of a county in which they are located, of the possession, type and use of offensive weapons.
This section shall not apply to any person who makes, repairs, sells or otherwise deals in, uses or possesses any firearm for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Firearm."
Any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive or the frame or receiver of any such weapon.
"Offensive weapons."
Any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.
(d) Exemptions.--The use and possession of blackjacks by the following persons in the course of their duties are exempt from this section:
Police officers, as defined by and who meet the requirements of the act of June 18, 1974 (P.L.359, No.120), referred to as the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Police officers of first class cities who have successfully completed training which is substantially equivalent to the program under the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Pennsylvania State Police officers.
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of the various counties who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Police officers employed by the Commonwealth who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
Deputy sheriffs with adequate training as determined by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Liquor Control Board agents who have satisfactorily met the requirements of the Municipal Police Education and Training Law.
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Title 18 § 912. Possession of weapon on school property.
(a) Definition.--Notwithstanding the definition of "weapon" in section 907 (relating to possessing instruments of crime), "weapon" for purposes of this section shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nun-chuck stick, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.
(b) Offense defined.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he possesses a weapon in the buildings of, on the grounds of, or in any conveyance providing transportation to or from any elementary or secondary publicly-funded educational institution, any elementary or secondary private school licensed by the Department of Education or any elementary or secondary parochial school.
(c) Defense.--It shall be a defense that the weapon is possessed and used in conjunction with a lawful supervised school activity or course or is possessed for other lawful purpose.