-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
EDC in the DC area.
- Thread starter akula83
- Start date
Locutus D'Borg
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2012
- Messages
- 5,185
I live in Virginia in the DC area. I carry a 3" blade (locking) and don't anticipate a problem, and have had none yet. I don't know the DC laws specifically, but in this area, you are constantly driving through MD, VA, and DC just going around the beltway. I would lean towards a more gentleman's look as opposed to tactical, just to be safe.
The DC law is as follows:
Official Source: http://government.westlaw.com/linkedslice/default.asp?SP=DCC-1000
It should be noted that even if the knife is shorter than 3 inches, it can still be classed as a dangerous weapon if the circumstances suggest it was going to be used to perpetrate an illegal act. In Re M.L., 2011, is such a case where the knife was a folder just short of 3 inches long, but it was carried by a punk@$$ teenage kid skulking around a car dressed all in black with gloves on, after dark, with the blade of the knife already open in his pocket, who then proceeded to run from the police and unsuccessfully "ditch" the knife during the pursuit.
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/documents/08-FS-994_MTD.PDF
If you're not going to any core federal buildings in DC where there are metal detectors, and you don't plan on burglarizing anyone's home or similar acts of stupidity, I would not worry about the size or type of folder you carry in DC.
Official Source: http://government.westlaw.com/linkedslice/default.asp?SP=DCC-1000
It should be noted that even if the knife is shorter than 3 inches, it can still be classed as a dangerous weapon if the circumstances suggest it was going to be used to perpetrate an illegal act. In Re M.L., 2011, is such a case where the knife was a folder just short of 3 inches long, but it was carried by a punk@$$ teenage kid skulking around a car dressed all in black with gloves on, after dark, with the blade of the knife already open in his pocket, who then proceeded to run from the police and unsuccessfully "ditch" the knife during the pursuit.
http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/documents/08-FS-994_MTD.PDF
If you're not going to any core federal buildings in DC where there are metal detectors, and you don't plan on burglarizing anyone's home or similar acts of stupidity, I would not worry about the size or type of folder you carry in DC.
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2010
- Messages
- 1,315
I live in VA and commute to MD and DC for meetings frequently. You have to be very careful carrying around here. If you plan on going to any public buildings, I would plan on leaving the knife at home. This includes places like the Smithsonian, Federal office buildings, and many of the memorials. It just isn't worth the hassle. I've only been really inconvenienced once - when I was playing guide for several folks who were in town visiting. We went downtown and I took a small folder (Spyderco Dragonfly2) with me. At the last minute, some of the folks wanted to go to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I didn't know until we got into line that there was a metal detector inside. I discretely feigned illness and stepped back outside. The Ronald Reagan Building also has metal detectors at each entrance - and this building is very popular because it is one of the best food courts near the Mall.
Anyway - I would personally ditch the knives so you don't get caught in an awkward place... Most of the attacks in DC involve drug-addled Uzi/Glock owners anyway. And a small folder would only do you so much good in that kind of scenario...
TedP
Anyway - I would personally ditch the knives so you don't get caught in an awkward place... Most of the attacks in DC involve drug-addled Uzi/Glock owners anyway. And a small folder would only do you so much good in that kind of scenario...
TedP
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 975
I live in VA and commute to MD and DC for meetings frequently. You have to be very careful carrying around here. If you plan on going to any public buildings, I would plan on leaving the knife at home. This includes places like the Smithsonian, Federal office buildings, and many of the memorials. It just isn't worth the hassle. I've only been really inconvenienced once - when I was playing guide for several folks who were in town visiting. We went downtown and I took a small folder (Spyderco Dragonfly2) with me. At the last minute, some of the folks wanted to go to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I didn't know until we got into line that there was a metal detector inside. I discretely feigned illness and stepped back outside. The Ronald Reagan Building also has metal detectors at each entrance - and this building is very popular because it is one of the best food courts near the Mall.
Anyway - I would personally ditch the knives so you don't get caught in an awkward place... Most of the attacks in DC involve drug-addled Uzi/Glock owners anyway. And a small folder would only do you so much good in that kind of scenario...
I live in Virginia and will start commuting to DC soon. I read the gun laws and figured that something like a Kershaw Leek would be legal. It's not considered an "automatic" or a "switch blade" and the length is less than 3 inches and it doesn't look particularly "tactical." I've heard that some federal buildings specifically exclude "speedsafe" knives, so it would be useful to know which those are beforehand. Was also thinking about removing the thumb stud since it's not much use anyway, and just using the flipper. Leave it locked and maybe even put it on my keychain so that it looks innocuous? What do you think?
Mainly what I'm trying to avoid is getting the knife confiscated. Would appreciate response from someone who actually commutes to DC.
My dad's been commuting to DC for over 30 years, and is a fed himself. When I asked him about it, he wasn't aware or had observed any particular policy regarding the mechanism of folding knives. He did remind me that federal buildings follow federal law, which is more restrictive than DC law. The federal law bans all weapons except pocket knives with blades under 2.5 inches, with each facility entitled under the law to be even tighter, to the point that some buildings ban all knives and scissors outright unless you explicitly secure permission for a specific required usage (examples are cooking implements and construction work, but you have to get clearance). My dad also pointed out that your average guard in DC, be it a federal building or just one with security, aren't exactly the brightest crayons in the box, and can be very haphazard about enforcement even at the same checkpoint. Some even try to measure knives with their palms:barf:.
If a knife is otherwise legal but you are passing through a checkpoint in good faith, they're not going to confiscate it, just tell you that you either have to turn back, or they throw it in the trash.
If you're not going through checkpoints I wouldn't worry about it though.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 975
Thanks a lot! I used to work in a Congressional office but wasn't really into knives back then. I'd probably not go there carrying a knife just because I'm usually in a hurry and don't want to get turned back. A few years ago I had to go to court in Northern Virginia and was late and the guard stopped me for carrying one of those little tiny Leatherman key chain things, so had to let him throw it in the trash. I'll bet he didn't, but it's sort of a crummy job so I guess there have to be perks.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Messages
- 319
I live in VA and commute to MD and DC for meetings frequently. You have to be very careful carrying around here. If you plan on going to any public buildings, I would plan on leaving the knife at home. This includes places like the Smithsonian, Federal office buildings, and many of the memorials. It just isn't worth the hassle. I've only been really inconvenienced once - when I was playing guide for several folks who were in town visiting. We went downtown and I took a small folder (Spyderco Dragonfly2) with me. At the last minute, some of the folks wanted to go to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I didn't know until we got into line that there was a metal detector inside. I discretely feigned illness and stepped back outside. The Ronald Reagan Building also has metal detectors at each entrance - and this building is very popular because it is one of the best food courts near the Mall.
Anyway - I would personally ditch the knives so you don't get caught in an awkward place... Most of the attacks in DC involve drug-addled Uzi/Glock owners anyway. And a small folder would only do you so much good in that kind of scenario...
TedP
Wow, exactly the same thing happened to me - was carrying my Spyderco Caly 3 and my dad wanted to go see the Constitution at the National Archives. They pulled the Caly 3 out of my bag and measured it and asked why I needed a blade that long. I suppressed the urge to point out how short it is compared to my other blades
Needless to say, I spent the visit outside. Luckily I've already seen the Constitution.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 975
I live in VA and commute to MD and DC for meetings frequently. You have to be very careful carrying around here. If you plan on going to any public buildings, I would plan on leaving the knife at home. This includes places like the Smithsonian, Federal office buildings, and many of the memorials. It just isn't worth the hassle. I've only been really inconvenienced once - when I was playing guide for several folks who were in town visiting. We went downtown and I took a small folder (Spyderco Dragonfly2) with me. At the last minute, some of the folks wanted to go to the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. I didn't know until we got into line that there was a metal detector inside. I discretely feigned illness and stepped back outside. The Ronald Reagan Building also has metal detectors at each entrance - and this building is very popular because it is one of the best food courts near the Mall.
Anyway - I would personally ditch the knives so you don't get caught in an awkward place... Most of the attacks in DC involve drug-addled Uzi/Glock owners anyway. And a small folder would only do you so much good in that kind of scenario...
TedP
I used to live near Capital Hill east of Union Station and a girl was murdered in the alley behind my house. The killer used a knife. With women and older guys the mugger will often be a thug who uses whatever weapon is available to him. I might get one of those Hinderer Pens. At least I'd have something that wouldn't get IDed if I have to go to the Capital. I had an older very prominent friend who was over 80 and would walk around DC wearing a Rolex. "What are you thinking?" I asked him. He just shrugged. Very trusting sort of guy. No, nothing ever happened to him. Maybe it's because he was a 6'6" bear of a man.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2012
- Messages
- 975
This site, Knife Up, seems to have the most coherent interpretation of DC knife laws and agrees with Phillip. Other than commonly identified "switch blades" there are no restrictions on type or size that aren't connected with intent. I gather that DC police don't cotton to the notion of "self-defense" as a reason for carry so it's better to say something like "cutting up boxes at work" or "making lunch." Federal buildings have their own separate restrictions, but they aren't authorized to confiscate items just refuse you entrance and refuse to hold your property for you. However, I suspect that in the Library of Congress you can leave a backpack or a briefcase in a special area near the guard station that's designated for that, and you could put the knife in that. Haven't tried it though, and haven't been there for a couple of years.