ssfootball53

I've been reading up on the topic of carrying a knife in washington and have more questions than when I started. What is legal and what isn't? Can I have any type of knife in my home? I am just confused and need some clarification.

__________________
There is no substitute for victory.

~Gen. Douglas MacArthur

Bonesnofoa

After looking through my little green book of laws i can only find a ban on switchblades.

RCW 9.41.250
Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.


(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;

(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or

Macattack

hey fellow seattlite, welcome to the forum

As far as knives go, my friendly neighborhood police offficer has informed me that you can have any type of knife or sword or whatever in your house(excluding switchblades i think)

As far as carrying them around, he said to measure the blade against your hand. If the blade is longer than 4 fingers (width) than you should leave it home. He also mentioned that he has never stopped someone because the knife clipped to their pocket is to big looking. but you may get in trouble in court if you have to use it.
Juries may decide you were looking to kill someone if you carry around a 6inch bladed folding gut hook.

As always this is not legal advice and may be completly false as anything on the internet.

If in doubt, ask a cop. They usually know a bit about the law...sometimes.

be safe
-mac

__________________
Fuer Grissa Ost Drauka (Let's Dance)

"Every man has a right to risk his own life for the preservation of it."
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau

"Despite the high cost of living, it remains very popular."

KenpoTex

that's all I could find as well (a Google search on "Washington State statutes" took me right to the correct page...hint, hint)

RCW 9.41.250: Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.

RCW 9.41.270: Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.

If he's telling you to measure on your hand I have my doubts as to whether he knows exactly what he's talking about or not...that's a pretty subjective system of classification.

__________________
If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

MOΛΩN ΛABÉ

Matt K.

dukalmighty

heres what i found for washington stateas you see it is unlawful to carry concealed or unconcealed a dangerous knife,a dangerous knife has a blade over3 1/2" long ,so if you're knife blade is over 3 1/2 inches long on your person you can be charged.This law does not apply in you're home,or most of the knives in you're kitchen would be illegal

__________________
I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

raevan

The Seattle Municipal; code only applies to Seattle, other Cities may have their own code. Washington State covers a whole lot aof area. I make it a point of staying out of Seattle. I carry various knives of different lengths for different things. If one plans on going into a big city then just carry a folder with blade less then 4 inches except in Seattle make sure it isn't longer then 3 and 1/2.
Also in Seattle don't carry a fixed blade of any sort.

Seattlites and people not from Washington think Seattle rules apply everwhere.
Seattle is about the most Draconian part of Washington. Just stay out and don't give them your buisness untill the come around to thinking like the rest of the state.

ssfootball53

So what is a general law for the rest of Washington outside of Seattle? Thanks for all your help.

__________________
There is no substitute for victory.

~Gen. Douglas MacArthur

CopperKnight

KenpoTex posted the links for the RCW, Washington's laws. There is another thread: I REALLY want to carry a fixed blade
which has a lot of information as well.

__________________
Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, but that you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

The only thing that stops bad guys with guns is good guys with guns. SgtD

alpinehawk

Sadly, with all the liberals in Seattle, I don't think that will be happening in my lifetime :(

matiki

Tsk Tsk. As a minority Seattlite I am offended that you lump me in with the majority (liberals).

__________________