Is a knife clipped to your pocket considered concealed?

Walking Man

Walking Man

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Is a knife clipped to your pocket considered concealed?
I always wondered about that. Is it considered concealed or not.
And what if you're wearing a long shirt?
Same thing with a sheath. If it's hidden in a visible sheath, is it considered concealed?
 
WM,

I would say that even with an untucked shirt, a clipped knife might or might not be considered concealed. It would probably depend great on situational conditions: what you were doing, LEO opinions/perceptions on such matters, etc.

On the the other hand, wearing an untucked shirt over a sheathed belt knife is not really any different than throwing on a jacket over said knife or even one in a shoulder rig. You've gone from plain sight to completely concealed.

Just my 2 cents,
B.
 
When a knife is clipped to your pocket, a good deal of it is clearly visible. For this reason, many areas consider this open carry.

- Chris
 
Without more specific language in the laws defining what's meant by "concealed," I'm guessing a cop could see it either way with a clipped folder, meaning the same carry method could be seen as legal (or illegal) in a jurisdiction where concealment is prohibited and in one where it is required.

As far as a knife in a sheath, as long as the sheath is readily identifiable as a knife sheath, that would not be concealed, unless the sheath were covered by a piece of clothing.

I've heard rumors of cops hassling people by saying that the sheath conceals the knife, or that the handle (of a folder) conceals the blade, but these are not violations of the law, just cops who wanted to give someone a hard time, which they could do to you, too, if they wanted to.
 
Your best bet is to ask the officer arresting you...
sorry, but knife laws are jsut soo bass ackwards.
 
I would not consider it concealed.
I decide to charge you or not.
Pass the attitude test. Even if the cop is an idiot; throw in some "sirs".
If he is really stupid he will believe.
 
Come on warlock, lose the term "stupid". You know that cops appreciate respect shown them and on discretion events attitude plays a huge role in their decision to charge. But even if the Cop is an 'idiot" I highly doubt calling him sir once or twice is going to be the absolute decider.

As for the issue of concealment; it is answered in the definition portion of each state's statute pertaining to the issue. It is so different from state to state that I would not even venture a guess!! For example, one state's law I am a little familiar with uses the words; "any portion hidden from view". Thankfully pocket knives do not fall into the catagory of concealable weapons!!!!
 
All these laws are so confusing. It frustrates me with such uneeded complexity. I think we should all go back to the vigilante cowboy days, and we could all be our own Xena Warrior Princesses and our own Lone Rangers... Of course that's me in my twisted imaginary world.


(I would find myself Lone Ranger over Xena, though, seeing as I'm a male)
 
I don't think anything is a certainty with our current legal system.

I recall a few years back some guy had been doing some flooring work in Seattle. He took a break, stuffed the curved blade linoleum knife in his back pocket, and took a walk.

He was arrested by Seattle police for carrying a concealed weapon. No other reason, just saw part of the knife extending out of his rear pocket. The difference here is this is a "Fixed Blade knife", but give me a break.

In the past our carry permits have gone by the title of CWP "Concealed Weapons Permits" or CCW "Carry Concealed Weapon". They are now called "Carry Concealed Pistol" to deny any other concealed weapons carry.

For the most part you will be fine with a knife clipped in your pocket. Just don't quote me on it if you get arrested.

In the state of Washington a pocket knife is not considered a weapon and is legal for an adult to carry on school grounds. I called the school district to verify this. They said they would have me arrested. I asked them to quote me the law or even school policy that denies pocket knife carry to an adult and they cannot, and do not care. Next, I called the PD. They said I could be arrested. Again I asked for the law that covers this. They had none and did not seem to care. I then quoted WA state code to them, and the reply was "well, there you have it". Very flippant and arrogant. I called the city District Attorney’s office for clarification. They had no clue and said they would get back to me with more info. Never heard from them again.

I am quite confident the law is on my side. I am also quite confident they would try to confiscate my knife or have me arrested if they saw one in my possession.

We have too many laws in this country, and much of the enforcement of these prolific laws is vague at best. I think the old “Ignorance of the law is no excuse” is BS now. It works well in a common law environment where it is known, “Don’t steal, don’t kill, don’t assault” etc. When you screwed up you knew it. Everyone else knew it as well. You don’t’ need a freaking law degree to know you have done wrong. Our system is no longer based on right or wrong, but legal or illegal. I’m sure some of us unknowingly break a dozen or more laws of some kind each day without even knowing it. Thankfully we are not a police state yet, so enforcement of these foul-ups is sporadic at best. I am really starting to miss Thomas Jefferson as president. (End of rant).

TR (continuing to carry clipped knives in defiance of Da Man)
 
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