Many state laws have restrictions or prohibitions on "daggers". None, that I know of actually define what a "dagger" is. I am wondering about knives that are symmetrical with a spear point shape but have one sharp edge and one false edge. An example would be the Spartan Blades Velos and some Cold Steel models.
In your state or country, would these be a dagger or not a dagger or is it unknown?
Thanks for any replies.
From
https://www.akti.org/resources/akti-approved-knife-definitions/
Dagger
A knife having a generally straight fixed blade with dual effective cutting edges.
Comments on Daggers
A substantial number of states have enacted statutory restrictions which mention “dagger” or “daggers” by that name or
eo nomine, yet none provide any guidance as to what constitutes a dagger, or why daggers – as opposed to other types of knives – should be restricted.
See State Knife Laws.
The California statutory definition is illustrative.
“As used in this section, a ‘dirk’ or ‘dagger’ means a knife or other instrument with or without a hand guard that is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death. A non-locking folding knife, a folding knife that is not prohibited by Section 653K, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.”
West’s Annotated California Penal Code, Section 12020( c)(24).
The California law provides that any person who “carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger” is subject to punishment by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.
Section 12020(a)(4).
There is obviously a problem where a fundamental right reserved to the people under the Constitution is infringed by such an arbitrary and indefinite state law. We have the right to keep and bear arms. If the state must, for some compelling reason, restrict this right, then it must do so in the least restrictive manner and with specificity. The California definition of dagger, which is essentially an instrument capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon, is very non-specific, and for that matter, overboard.
The answer to the question of whether an item is or is not a dagger should not be determined on the basis of the identity of the person possessing the object nor, for that matter, the whim of a law enforcement officer. It should not turn on whether the person is wearing a biker vest or a vested suit. Moreover, a citizen should not need to seek expert advice from a military historian, or one who has studied the history and development of weapons. The law should be written with clarity.
AKTI notes that Section 5.07 of the Model Penal Code, captioned “Prohibited Offensive Weapons,” provides:
. . . “Offensive Weapon” means any bomb, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, a blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles,dagger, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury that serves no common lawful purpose (Model Penal Code Section 5.07 – emphasis supplied).
The authors of the Model Penal Code neither define dagger nor offer any explanation as to why it would be suitable only for offensive uses and have no other common, lawful purpose. AKTIsuggests that a knife coming within the suggested definition of a dagger can be a useful tool for innumerable lawful and especially defensive purposes. Given that we have a right to keep and bear arms, we should have a right to keep and bear effective arms. It makes no sense to cede the possession and bearing of effective edged weapons to those willing to live and act outside the law.
