legal knives?

[bigbuck14]

Hey guys im new to this site and i would like to now if any of you guys now what the biggest knife we can carry in public is.

[Nomad]

Ok for the best answer, it comes from your local DA's office. Not a cop you know or a web page. That said,I'm a knife guy who's on many knife forums and this comes up often.

First, all bets are off for NYC, and any other town or city can make a more restrictive law as well.

For NYS in general, the big no no's are double edge and automatics. As far as blade length we have no limit, but that does not mean one won't be asked to leave a store or get "looks" or stopped because of it.

I work for a city FD we used to have a guy walk around the city known as the Sheik , he wore a full lenght sword.....

Some cops think a butter fly knife is illegal here, which it isn't yet you still may have to go to court over it.Knife laws can confuse many and the fact that so many in L.E. and the courts don't know the differant types of knives or the laws is common place.

In NYC right now there are lawsuits over the cities raids of stores that were selling legal knives who ended up getting arrested for it.

you SHOULD be ok with any length, but a call to your DA's office is in order.

Edited January 6, 2012 by Larry302

[Ford]

try this.

http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt

[bigbuck14]

Thanks guys you helped alot

[coyoteman]

Did I read that right that you can have a switchblade if you are hunting?

[Ford]

_{Thats what it says. I have a couple, I use one at work, but mostly they are just a novelty.}

[ny hunter]

Guys My younger brother is a cop,He said an automatic knife is not legal in NY don't get in trouble.

[Deerthug]

I thought any knife with a blade longer than 3 inches which I usually measured by laying the blade across my fingers, was not legal to carry in public. I always carry a Swiss army knife in a leather case on my belt in the city as well and never had any issues. I guess as long as you don't flaunt it you won't get into trouble.

[Marti375]

In nys it is legal buy, sell, and owne an automatic knife. It is illegal to posess unless you fall into one of the exemptions. Such as for use while hunting and fishing while you are licensed to do so (nys hunting and fishing license).

[biggamefish]

I was told the other day that the way the law reads it is the discretion of the officer. Kind of crazy.

[NFA-ADK]

It use to be any knife with a blade larger than 4 inches was to be in plain view. In other words it has to be on your belt so it can be seen from 3 sides. Otherwise yea it's up to the cop, if you are doing something stupid you will have a weapons posession added onto what ever other charge you get... I had a butterfly knife taken away and the guy with the big bowie was able to keep his... Not sure what the laws are today but check you local police and any town you will be in if you plan on haveing a large knife exposed. Basic law do not carry one in public and only carry one exposed if you are hunting or fishing or if it is over 4 inches... No switch blades, "gravity knives" Butterfly, or projectile knifes are accepted in NY regaurdless of the fact that it says you can use butterfly and switchblades for hunting/fishing most cops will confiscate them due to insufficiant knowledge of the laws...