You're missing half of the question being addressed. Whether it's concealed or not, it's still a weapon. A "common pocket knife" is not a weapon. A knife that's a decent-sized fixed-blade, or has an assisted opener, or generally has features that differentiate it from being a "common pocket knife" is no longer exempt from "weapon" status.
According to
Florida law, one can only openly carry chemical spray or " A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes." No other weapon is permitted to be carried openly.
Florida law also describes
what deadly weapons are. "'Weapon' means any dirk,
knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or
a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife."
Lastly, Florida law also
prohibits carrying of concealed weapons unless
licensed to do so.
So let's review.
- Common pocket knives are not weapons in the state of Florida. They may be carried concealed or openly as such.
- Knives that are not common pocket knives are weapons in the state of Florida.
- Florida law prohibits carrying weapons openly with only two exceptions, neither of which are knives.
- Florida law prohibits carrying weapons concealed unless licensed to do so. Knives are defined as weapons. Common pocket knives are not.
Conclusion:
You can carry a common pocket knife in any way, shape, or form, to your heart's content. If you want to be technical, it can go into places where any other tool can't (being exempt from the status of "weapon"). Policies regarding knives to not effect the common pocket knife. Yadda yadda, and so on and so forth.
When a knife that is NOT a common pocket knife is carried, it CANNOT be carried openly (790.053), and cannot be carried concealed (790.01) unless the carrier is properly licensed (790.06).
Tony, I hope this answers your questions.
-B