Maine Knife/Brass Knuckle Laws

[Dlink1]

So Maine law states any knife with the intent to harm or defend oneself cannot be conceiled carried, however can be open carried. Maine also outlaws brass knuckles. However, I inherited a brass knuckle knife that falls into the previous classification as a knife intended for self defense as, I doubt im going to use brass knuckles to hunt, fish, or anything work related. But the question is, as it has a brass knuckle handle is it legal, and does it fall under maines classifications as a brass knuckle, or as a knife intended for self defense. If both, would it be then legal to carry while simultaniously be illegal to own and carry?

 

[glistam]

Maine's knife law can be found here: http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/25/title25sec2001-A.html
There used to be a law (17-A §1055) that affected ownership, but it was repealed in 2015.

You can legally own any knife or knuckles you want in Maine, as there are no laws about ownership, sale or transfer. So you are fine to keep your knife.

However, the main law, §2001-A linked above, does prohibit concealed carry of knuckles and knives designed for use against human beings. A case in 2012, State v. Jones, clarified that it's the knife's design itself that determines if it is illegal to carry, and not the situation it is found or used. A knife with a knuckle-duster guard (sometimes called a "trench knife" due to their use in WWI) would absolutely qualify as a knife designed to use on humans, and not fish or game. So it would be illegal to carry this knife concealed on your person, but legal to carry it openly in non-threatening contexts or to simply keep it at home as a collector's item. You can also sell it without concern.

 

[NG VI]

Maine's knife law can be found here: http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/25/title25sec2001-A.html
There used to be a law (17-A §1055) that affected ownership, but it was repealed in 2015.

You can legally own any knife or knuckles you want in Maine, as there are no laws about ownership, sale or transfer. So you are fine to keep your knife.

However, the main law, §2001-A linked above, does prohibit concealed carry of knuckles and knives designed for use against human beings. A case in 2012, State v. Jones, clarified that it's the knife's design itself that determines if it is illegal to carry, and not the situation it is found or used. A knife with a knuckle-duster guard (sometimes called a "trench knife" due to their use in WWI) would absolutely qualify as a knife designed to use on humans, and not fish or game. So it would be illegal to carry this knife concealed on your person, but legal to carry it openly in non-threatening contexts or to simply keep it at home as a collector's item. You can also sell it without concern.

State v. Jones means that fixed blades designed as ordinary daily use tools are good to go for people to wear, without concern for 'concealment', right?


*designed and used/carried as ordinary daily tools

 

[glistam]

State v. Jones means that fixed blades designed as ordinary daily use tools are good to go for people to wear, without concern for 'concealment', right?


*designed and used/carried as ordinary daily tools

Yes I believe that would be correct, as the statute linked above (§2001-A) even specifically calls out "knives used to hunt, fish or trap" as an example of something not prohibited from concealed carry, combined with the declarations made in Jones.