Arizona Knife Laws

A

Arizona Kid

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
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Moving to AZ in Jan 2006. Anyone know with certainty what the folding knife carry laws are in AZ??????

Regards,

Arizona Kid
 
You can openly carry whatever you want. Including fixed blades, balisongs (butterfly knives), and automatics (switchblades). You can conceal "regular" pocket knives. Although the law doesn't specify what "regular" means, it's generally agreed that autos and balis aren't. If you have a concealed weapons (for firearms, but it applies to "other" weapons as well) permit, you can conceal anything.

No length limit is specified, although it's the AG's "opinion" that 4" or less constitutes a "regular" knife.
 
Planterz, do you know if there is any case law to show that balis and autos can not be concealed? This is somewhat contrary to what I've heard concerning knife laws. I was under the impression that even switch blades and autos were concealable without a permit.
 
I don't know of any case law, I'm only going by interpretation (my own as well as other peoples') of the law. The law itself only says
Carrying a deadly weapon without a permit pursuant to section 13-3112 except a pocket knife concealed on his person
Click to expand...
The vagueness of course lies in what exactly a "pocket knife" is. Probably not a fixed blade. I would imagine that anything else is up to the officer, and the courts to decide. Thus, I prefer to err on the safe side and I don't conceal my balisongs, autos, or fixed blades (a visible pocket clip is enough).

FWIW, I was stopped once with my 42MC, and the officer had to look up the law to check if it was legal, and he sent me on my way (no issue of whether it was concealed or if it constitued a "pocket knife").
 
I believe the "deadly weapon" definition states something to the effect that it is "intended to be " or " designed as" a deadly weapon. If you carry a custom or Severtech for instance, the designer, i.e. Aaron for the Severtech, he has the last word on the intent of the knife. A bayonet ,of course, is designed as a deadly weapon. Same would go for tacticals marketed as such. I have a 5" pocket knife, it does barely fit IN my pocket, that could be questioned, however, the maker is here in Tucson and designed it as a cutting TOOL. I'll have to drop by and show you this one Planterz.
 
so carring a military stlye 11 inch assault knife concealed on ones persons constitutes a crime without a permit?
 
Lonewulf,
Carry the knife openly if you live in Arizona.It is an open carry state and you can pack a piece along with it.I live in West Virginia and I have carried K-Bars tucked into the small of my back.Just leave the handle in a visible place,outside of your clothing.If you are 21 and choose to carry a gun,leave it open to view;ie,put it on your hip.
You can also drop them into your front pocket if you choose.
 
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