Are button lock knives like the Civivi Altus considered gravity knives and are they legal to buy and own at home in Indiana?

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ForTheThis

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Are button lock knives like the Civivi Altus considered gravity knives and are they legal to buy and own at home in Indiana?
 
I would be surprised if anyone deemed them gravity knives. Here in Indiana, we have some pretty lax knife laws now that automatics are legal. My guess is that "gravity knife" would mostly mean the basic design where you hold a button in and a blade slides out. I don't see how that is exactly more "evil" than firing an OTF Microtech or even an assisted opening Kershaw.

My thought has always been that knife laws are typically probable cause laws. When you need to nail someone clearly up to no good but you have to have something that sticks. In short, don't be a dingus and you'll most certainly be fine. I have lived here my entire nearly 42 years of life, and I have had more questionable things slide due to being polite to an officer and not causing any trouble. Most Hoosier cops aren't out to get people on technicalities.

But leave your throwing stars at home. Those are supposedly too dangerous to have on your person in a state that allows permitless concealed pistol carry 😉
 
When in doubt: send a letter to your State's Attorney General...
Good luck! 👍
 
Here's what knifeup.com says about Indiana knife laws

Indiana knife laws are very fair and somewhat strait forward. This article will give you a briefing of what is allowed and not allowed under the law, what the law says, and an explanation of what that means. This article will also cite case precedence that has shaped the meaning of Indiana knife law.

What is Legal​

  • Balisong knives are legal.
  • Bowie knive are legal.
  • Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal.
  • Assisted knives are legal.
  • Disguised knives like cane knives, lipstick knives, and belt knives are legal.
  • Switchblades and other automatic knives are legal.

What is Illegal​

  • Ballistic knives are illegal. (to possess and/or manufacture and/or sell)
  • (Chinese) Throwing stars are illegal. (to possess and/or manufacture and/or sell)

Restriction on Carry​

There are no limits to concealed or open carry as long as you do not bring a knife to school. The Indiana state code is available for anyone to read online but the excerpts below contains the code as well as an explanation.


What the Law Says​

Click to expand...

https://knifeup.com/indiana-knife-laws/?amp=1
 
I had a drop bear that got through customs in to Australia.

They definitely looked at it though.

Not sure if that helps.
 
There is no prohibition on owning or carrying a gravity knife (or a switchblade for that matter) in Indiana, so the question about if this knife model is a gravity knife is moot.

The weapon laws for the state are under Title 35, Article 47. What few knives laws there are left are under Chapter 5 of that article. Hopefully this link works, but the state website is a little buggy: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2022/ic/titles/035#35-47-5
Here's the relevant parts:
Section 2: No ballistic knives. No even to possess.
Section 2.5: No knives at schools or on school buses.
Section 12: No hira-shuriken aka "ninja stars." The statute literally calls them "Chinese Throwing Stars" so if you ever need evidence that some knife laws have racist undertones, here you go.
 
glistam said:
There is no prohibition on owning or carrying a gravity knife (or a switchblade for that matter) in Indiana, so the question about if this knife model is a gravity knife is moot.

The weapon laws for the state are under Title 35, Article 47. What few knives laws there are left are under Chapter 5 of that article. Hopefully this link works, but the state website is a little buggy: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2022/ic/titles/035#35-47-5
Here's the relevant parts:
Section 2: No ballistic knives. No even to possess.
Section 2.5: No knives at schools or on school buses.
Section 12: No hira-shuriken aka "ninja stars." The statute literally calls them "Chinese Throwing Stars" so if you ever need evidence that some knife laws have racist undertones, here you go.
Click to expand...

I knew it had been updated some time back. There are at least two stores that sell OTF knives in my city. I can't imagine allowing someone to own and carry a Combat Troodon but slapping cuffs on them for carrying a cheap "Eagle" gravity knife.

The "Chinese Stars" thing dates back to the 70s/80s when the law was put into effect. That's what everyone called them back then despite their popularity stemming from the ninja fad of the day. Absolutely cringey name for 2023, but there are a lot of cringey things about Indiana.

Thanks for clearing the question up for the OP. 👍
 
Is it legal to buy (online) and own a button lock knife in Indiana, since they're considered a gravity knife?
 
Your question states "at home" and if that is indeed where you intend to carry it there should be no law pertaining to that. Carry in good health and be happy you don't live in New York.
 
Button lock knives are not the same as gravity knives. That said, both are legal in Indiana now.

Indiana used to prohibit switchblades and other automatic knives, balisongs, and gravity knives. That changed recently; now all knives are legal except 'ballistic knives.' Those are defined in the law as knives whose blades are propelled from the handle, actually separating from the handle to fly through the air as a projectile. Throwing stars are also illegal here.

There are no length limits for knife carry either. Indiana also no longer requires a permit to carry a handgun, so our weapons laws are among the least restrictive in the US.
 
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