Arkansas butterfly knife laws?

[morphineofmine]

I know that for awhile the length of the blade had to be 3.5 inches or less, but a friend of mine told me that was changed and that now any length was legal. I've been considering buying one and was interested if there was any truth to his statement... any help appreciated.

edit: even just help with pointing me in the right direction to contact someone who might know would be helpful.

 

[glistam]

Indeed, Arkansas's original knife law, 5-73-121, was repealed. However, 5-73-120 is still on the books.

Arkansas has no law that prohibits ownership or buying of any knife, but carry may be restricted under the aforementioned statute, pasted below (redacted for brevity). Note that length is not mentioned anywhere in the law; rather, the type of knife is what determines it's legality.

5-73-120. Carrying a weapon.

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if he or she possesses a handgun, knife, or club on or about his or her person, in a vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person.

(b) As used in this section:
...
(3) (A) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death by cutting or stabbing.
(B) "Knife" includes a dirk, sword or spear in a cane, razor, ice pick, throwing star, switchblade, and butterfly knife.

(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that at the time of the act of carrying a weapon:

(1) The person is in his or her own dwelling, place of business, or on property in which he or she has a possessory or proprietary interest;
...
(4) The person is carrying a weapon when upon a journey, unless the journey is through a commercial airport when presenting at the security checkpoint in the airport or is in the person's checked baggage and is not a lawfully declared weapon;
(5) The person is a licensed security guard acting in the course and scope of his or her duties;
...

(d) (1) Any person who carries a weapon into an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both.

(2) Otherwise, carrying a weapon is a Class A misdemeanor.