I've been trying to sort out the WA State knife laws and as we all know, they are very confusing. And to complicate thing, individual municipalities can have their own laws. The reason this is of great concern isn't because of any need to carry concealed. A knife, to me, is a tool, not a weapon. I carry one ONLY for use as a tool. If I want protection, I carry a firearm.
However, violation of a knife law, can cause one to lose their CPL and that is of major importance.
I have two points of interest in understanding these:
1) The actual state law
2) And city pre-emption of CPL law
State Law:
Blade length: I cannot find anything in the WA State law that limits the blade length of a folding knife.
Is there any blade length restrictions, in WA State laws? What is the specific RCW for this, if any?
Concealed carry: I can't find anything in WA State law that covers this directly. I know the CPL only covers firearms so there is no relief there.
9.41.250 talks about penalties and does mention "dangerous weapons" but the state tried to specifically add knives earlier in the year and that was nixed. So I'm not sure that "dangerous weapons" includes knives. But even if it is (which seems likely) the actual crime uses "furtively" which implies some sort of specific intent to conceal.
So, would carrying it on a belt, EVER get one in trouble, with state law, with regards to carrying a knife?
Knife mechanism
There is mention in state law about gravity knives and how they are opened with centrifugal and outward thrust, etc, as being illegal. But there are a lot of knives that have the thumb stud on the blade and a release mechanism on the handle, that allow the knife to be fliped open with the thumb OR by releasing the mechanism with the thumb and then flipping the knife open.
I'm wondering is that will somehow make those knives illegal, as worded in the state law. For instance the Benchmade 275 Adamas, is legally sold. Apart from city restrictions on blade length, I'm wondering if this knife could ever get someone in trouble, because of the mechanism to open it. It's a very common design. But when the blade lock is operated with the thumb, it essentially becomes a gravity controlled blade. Without a positive thumb release, the knife is held closed an no amount of flipping can open it. It requires some action on the part of the user, to start the blade or release the lock. The state law doesn't say anything about a knife with a locking mechanism being released as being relief from this law.
City laws:
I have read some of the city laws. Seattle for one says that if you violate their law, you will lose your CPL. I'm wondering how one can lose a CPL (which is controlled by the state) merely because a city says so. The city crime is only a misdemeanor and state law doesn't restrict CPL to misdemeanor violations.
Very confusing...
Again, I'm not looking for urban legends but more on commentary of actual laws that people can cite for or against their positions.
However, violation of a knife law, can cause one to lose their CPL and that is of major importance.
I have two points of interest in understanding these:
1) The actual state law
2) And city pre-emption of CPL law
State Law:
Blade length: I cannot find anything in the WA State law that limits the blade length of a folding knife.
Is there any blade length restrictions, in WA State laws? What is the specific RCW for this, if any?
Concealed carry: I can't find anything in WA State law that covers this directly. I know the CPL only covers firearms so there is no relief there.
9.41.250 talks about penalties and does mention "dangerous weapons" but the state tried to specifically add knives earlier in the year and that was nixed. So I'm not sure that "dangerous weapons" includes knives. But even if it is (which seems likely) the actual crime uses "furtively" which implies some sort of specific intent to conceal.
So, would carrying it on a belt, EVER get one in trouble, with state law, with regards to carrying a knife?
Knife mechanism
There is mention in state law about gravity knives and how they are opened with centrifugal and outward thrust, etc, as being illegal. But there are a lot of knives that have the thumb stud on the blade and a release mechanism on the handle, that allow the knife to be fliped open with the thumb OR by releasing the mechanism with the thumb and then flipping the knife open.
I'm wondering is that will somehow make those knives illegal, as worded in the state law. For instance the Benchmade 275 Adamas, is legally sold. Apart from city restrictions on blade length, I'm wondering if this knife could ever get someone in trouble, because of the mechanism to open it. It's a very common design. But when the blade lock is operated with the thumb, it essentially becomes a gravity controlled blade. Without a positive thumb release, the knife is held closed an no amount of flipping can open it. It requires some action on the part of the user, to start the blade or release the lock. The state law doesn't say anything about a knife with a locking mechanism being released as being relief from this law.
City laws:
I have read some of the city laws. Seattle for one says that if you violate their law, you will lose your CPL. I'm wondering how one can lose a CPL (which is controlled by the state) merely because a city says so. The city crime is only a misdemeanor and state law doesn't restrict CPL to misdemeanor violations.
Very confusing...
Again, I'm not looking for urban legends but more on commentary of actual laws that people can cite for or against their positions.