Washington State Anyone?

bal_g23 · September 1st, 2009, 02:37 AM

Im trying to figure out the laws on carrying fixed blades in WA state. I know they are illegal in Seattle but what about other places. I cant seem to find a clear answer with google. I looked at WA laws and its still unclear. It says:

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

but then also says

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:

(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;

Im confused about the presently threatened part. So if a cop saw a knife on your hip it would be illegal, but if he didnt see the same knife and you defended yourself it it would be legal. In short its illegal to carry unless you are presently defending yourself? What?

jumpwing · September 1st, 2009, 04:36 AM

1. Where did you read that fixed blade knives are illegal in Seattle?

2. The main point of the RCW you quoted is here: "...carry, exhibit, display, or draw...in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons."

The bolded part lists conditions that must be met in order for the carry to be unlawful. Having a firearm in a holster or a knife in a sheath does not meet any of those conditions.

Anti-gunners have tried to make legal hay out of this before and got shot down because the RCW doesn't stop with "carry, exhibit, display, or draw." It has to be done "in a manner" and "under circumstances" and "at a time and place" that shows an intent to intimidate another or warrants alarm. Holstered pistols and sheathed knives have been disqualified as warranting alarm and intention of intimidation.

Hope that helps.

bal_g23 · September 1st, 2009, 03:09 PM

Seattle Municipal Code Definitions

Seattle law on dangerous weapons

Seattle Municipal Code says its illegal to carry (concealed or unconcealed) "dangerous weapons" and Seattle MC defines dangerous weapons as any knife that is a fixed blade or a folder with a blade over 3.5in. I asked a SPD officer recently and he said the same.

FreeDelivery · September 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM

I'm a Washington resident.

At last check,

1) fixed blade knives, of any length, are illegal to carry concealed (by RCW), and

2) the maximum folding blade length is 3.5 (by RCW and Seattle Municipal Code)

FreeDelivery · September 1st, 2009, 04:28 PM

If you're using a fixed-blade implement, whether it's a knife, machete, or what-have-you, for yard work, fishing, ..., or some other legitimate purpose, it's alright to openly carry a sheathed fixed-blade.

jumpwing · September 1st, 2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bal_g23

Seattle Municipal Code Definitions

Seattle law on dangerous weapons

Seattle Municipal Code says its illegal to carry (concealed or unconcealed) "dangerous weapons" and Seattle MC defines dangerous weapons as any knife that is a fixed blade or a folder with a blade over 3.5in. I asked a SPD officer recently and he said the same.

Thanks for the info; I'll definitely be reading through those.

As for the last part, be wary of asking a cop about anything outside of traffic law. I'm not saying they're all ignorant, but there are still some out there who aren't aware (or refuse to recognize) that open carry is legal.

bal_g23 · September 1st, 2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpwing

As for the last part, be wary of asking a cop about anything outside of traffic law. I'm not saying they're all ignorant, but there are still some out there who aren't aware (or refuse to recognize) that open carry is legal.

I feel you on that one.

psychophipps · September 2nd, 2009, 11:43 AM

WA state has no length restriction for knives concealed or otherwise and the Seattle Municipal Code is only for fixed blade knives. The laws, and I think that WA has some of the best for both firearms and knives, simply restrict their use to defensive purposes within the boundaries of the law. As long as you're not being a jerk (read: doing anything illegal), you can carry just about any knife you want barring the Seattle example above.

September 1st, 2009, 02:37 AM	#1
bal_g23 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 270	Washington State Anyone? Im trying to figure out the laws on carrying fixed blades in WA state. I know they are illegal in Seattle but what about other places. I cant seem to find a clear answer with google. I looked at WA laws and its still unclear. It says: (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons. but then also says (3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following: (c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person; Im confused about the presently threatened part. So if a cop saw a knife on your hip it would be illegal, but if he didnt see the same knife and you defended yourself it it would be legal. In short its illegal to carry unless you are presently defending yourself? What? __________________ GUN CONTROL IS USING BOTH HANDS I believe its a shoulder thing that goes up - Carolyn McCarthy (D) The muzzle end of a .45 pretty much says go away in every language. -Clint Smith

September 1st, 2009, 04:36 AM	#2
jumpwing Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 374	1. Where did you read that fixed blade knives are illegal in Seattle? 2. The main point of the RCW you quoted is here: "...carry, exhibit, display, or draw...in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons." The bolded part lists conditions that must be met in order for the carry to be unlawful. Having a firearm in a holster or a knife in a sheath does not meet any of those conditions. Anti-gunners have tried to make legal hay out of this before and got shot down because the RCW doesn't stop with "carry, exhibit, display, or draw." It has to be done "in a manner" and "under circumstances" and "at a time and place" that shows an intent to intimidate another or warrants alarm. Holstered pistols and sheathed knives have been disqualified as warranting alarm and intention of intimidation. Hope that helps. __________________ "The flock sleep peaceably in their pasture at night because Sheepdogs stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

September 1st, 2009, 03:09 PM	#3
bal_g23 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 270	Seattle Municipal Code Definitions Seattle law on dangerous weapons Seattle Municipal Code says its illegal to carry (concealed or unconcealed) "dangerous weapons" and Seattle MC defines dangerous weapons as any knife that is a fixed blade or a folder with a blade over 3.5in. I asked a SPD officer recently and he said the same. __________________ GUN CONTROL IS USING BOTH HANDS I believe its a shoulder thing that goes up - Carolyn McCarthy (D) The muzzle end of a .45 pretty much says go away in every language. -Clint Smith

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September 1st, 2009, 04:23 PM	#4
FreeDelivery Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 90	I'm a Washington resident. At last check, 1) fixed blade knives, of any length, are illegal to carry concealed (by RCW), and 2) the maximum folding blade length is 3.5 (by RCW and Seattle Municipal Code)

September 1st, 2009, 04:28 PM	#5
FreeDelivery Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 90	If you're using a fixed-blade implement, whether it's a knife, machete, or what-have-you, for yard work, fishing, ..., or some other legitimate purpose, it's alright to openly carry a sheathed fixed-blade.

September 2nd, 2009, 11:43 AM	#8
psychophipps Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 381	WA state has no length restriction for knives concealed or otherwise and the Seattle Municipal Code is only for fixed blade knives. The laws, and I think that WA has some of the best for both firearms and knives, simply restrict their use to defensive purposes within the boundaries of the law. As long as you're not being a jerk (read: doing anything illegal), you can carry just about any knife you want barring the Seattle example above.