PA Knife Law, BEWARE in Philly

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Cryptyc

Joined
Sep 24, 2013
Messages
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Hey Folks,
I thought I'd just throw this out here for the forum since I didn't see anything on PA in the Knife Laws subforum. You have to make sure if you live in PA that you are extremely careful in Philly. PA has little restrictions in place (which are ridiculous but not as bad as some other states), but Philly has its own ordinances that do not allow you to carry ANY knife unless you can prove it's for your job. Please be aware of that.

Here's some basic articles to look at:

http://www.knifeup.com/pennsylvania-knife-laws/
http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/03/know-your-knife-laws-pennsylvania/
 
Cryptyc said:
Hey Folks,
I thought I'd just throw this out here for the forum since I didn't see anything on PA in the Knife Laws subforum. You have to make sure if you live in PA that you are extremely careful in Philly. PA has little restrictions in place (which are ridiculous but not as bad as some other states), but Philly has its own ordinances that do not allow you to carry ANY knife unless you can prove it's for your job. Please be aware of that.

Here's some basic articles to look at:

http://www.knifeup.com/pennsylvania-knife-laws/
http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/03/know-your-knife-laws-pennsylvania/
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We have similar local ordinances, which are allowed by MA law under the "home rule" concept. Basically, arrest and $300 fine for the in-public carrying of any knife with a blade over 2.5" long. Boston and many of its North Shore suburbs have these ordinances, but also make exceptions for knives carried to and from employment. Practically speaking, however, concealed means concealed. Most of the people who get nailed on these charges either had the pocket clip exposed, giving the officer probably cause to inspect the knife or got searched or arrested on other charges and this was used as an add-on charge. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping a low profile when carrying a knife.
 
Unless the PA law changed, there was an exception for owning switchblades as curios:

http://knife-expert.com/pa.txt

Several years back, there was a well know knife dealer, who is also a bit TV actor, who sold many knives including switchblades at gun shows in many states including PA. He was arrested in PA at one show for selling a few Italian Switchblades to an under cover officer. The judge threw out the case and returned all his knives based on the curio exception. He carried the court written release with him as proof going forward. I have not seen him in years, but unless things have changed, there was a legal way to own ( not carry) switchblades...
 
tom19176 said:
Unless the PA law changed, there was an exception for owning switchblades as curios:

http://knife-expert.com/pa.txt

Several years back, there was a well know knife dealer, who is also a bit TV actor, who sold many knives including switchblades at gun shows in many states including PA. He was arrested in PA at one show for selling a few Italian Switchblades to an under cover officer. The judge threw out the case and returned all his knives based on the curio exception. He carried the court written release with him as proof going forward. I have not seen him in years, but unless things have changed, there was a legal way to own ( not carry) switchblades...
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Problem is, how does one transport them from Point A to Point B without committing a felony? Here in MA, carrying a switchblade in public is a felony. They are legally sold in NH and one can legally carry them in NH. So, if a MA resident wants to own a switchblade (perfectly legal to keep at home), he must travel to NH, purchase the knife, commit a felony while transporting it home and then put it in his house. Legal purchase, felony transportation, legal ownership in house. Just don't get caught during the trip home!
 
NYC and Philly are both identical with their knife and carry laws. It is super annoying and the cops are not friendly about any sort of weapon.
 
konopinskij said:
NYC and Philly are both identical with their knife and carry laws. It is super annoying and the cops are not friendly about any sort of weapon.
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The oppression in Philly is symbolic because Philly is such an historical foundation of "Freedom." Not only toward weapons but the cops are plain little mind controlled nazi's toward anyone trying to speak out there.

[video=youtube;x0vS8VTZ4Sw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vS8VTZ4Sw[/video]
 
Cryptyc said:
Hey Folks,
I thought I'd just throw this out here for the forum since I didn't see anything on PA in the Knife Laws subforum. You have to make sure if you live in PA that you are extremely careful in Philly. PA has little restrictions in place (which are ridiculous but not as bad as some other states), but Philly has its own ordinances that do not allow you to carry ANY knife unless you can prove it's for your job. Please be aware of that.

Here's some basic articles to look at:

http://www.knifeup.com/pennsylvania-knife-laws/
http://www.thetruthaboutknives.com/2013/03/know-your-knife-laws-pennsylvania/
Click to expand...
My advice would be to locate and read the actual PA penal code regarding knife laws. I know for a fact that the information on the first website you linked is inaccurate in regards to California law, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit if it is inaccurate regarding other states.

Bottom line is this- Neither of those websites you linked will help you in court. In court, only the actual penal codes matter. If you base your knife carry choices on the information on those websites, and the information they provide turns out to be wrong and you are arrested, you're not going to get any leniency in court by saying "But knifeup.com said it was legal".

When it comes to the law, and the risk of being arrested and jailed (as well as all the other unpleasantness the criminal justice system has to offer), it's best to get your legal info straight from the "horses mouth", and by that I mean, the ACTUAL penal code. All the websites you linked provide are some unknown persons interpretations of the law. And if their interpretations turn out to be wrong, those people aren't going to post your bail, pay for your lawyer, pay your fines, visit you in jail, or give you a job after you get a criminal record.

And if you find the penal code to be confusing, I recommend consulting with a criminal defense attorney. A little money spent on a lawyers advice is a lot cheaper than what you will pay if you are arrested and charged.
 
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sangkala said:
The oppression in Philly is symbolic because Philly is such an historical foundation of "Freedom." Not only toward weapons but the cops are plain little mind controlled nazi's toward anyone trying to speak out there.

[video=youtube;x0vS8VTZ4Sw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vS8VTZ4Sw[/video]
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I don't think the activists acted the right way, but phrases like "it's evidence" and the like are scary. That's some serious serious stuff.

I hope Pittsburgh never gets that bad.
 
ALLHSS said:
I don't think the activists acted the right way, but phrases like "it's evidence" and the like are scary. That's some serious serious stuff.

I hope Pittsburgh never gets that bad.
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How do you think they should have acted? It's coming to Pittsburgh and everywhere else unless we educate ourselves and start taking action like Mark Passio.
 
sangkala said:
How do you think they should have acted? It's coming to Pittsburgh and everywhere else unless we educate ourselves and start taking action like Mark Passio.
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Yelling the same phrases over and over and just screaming borderline whining makes activists look just pathetic. For any change you need dignity and strength.

I think knife rights is doing well in that area.
 
ALLHSS said:
Yelling the same phrases over and over and just screaming borderline whining makes activists look just pathetic. For any change you need dignity and strength.

I think knife rights is doing well in that area.
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So you think one should act with decorum and just accept the indignities when your rights are being taken away? Interesting. Is that how you would have acted? The sheeple standing around gawking are the ones who are pathetic. Mark has dignity and strength in spades. Listen to his other video's and podcasts.
 
sangkala said:
So you think one should act with decorum and just accept the indignities when your rights are being taken away? Interesting. Is that how you would have acted? The sheeple standing around gawking are the ones who are pathetic. Mark has dignity and strength in spades. Listen to his other video's and podcasts.
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Alright, clearly you are a big fan of that guy and took my remarks personally. Sorry. I don't even mean to get into a political discussion. I know what I believe, and dignity and decorum are not the same thing.

Cool your jets, I'm not the person you should be getting fired up at. I'm 100% pro liberty. I'm also ducking out on this one. Peace.

(To stay on track, Pittsburgh law enforcement officers seem pretty reasonable about knives. I've never had a problem.)
 
ALLHSS said:
Alright, clearly you are a big fan of that guy and took my remarks personally. Sorry. I don't even mean to get into a political discussion. I know what I believe, and dignity and decorum are not the same thing.

Cool your jets, I'm not the person you should be getting fired up at. I'm 100% pro liberty. I'm also ducking out on this one. Peace.

(To stay on track, Pittsburgh law enforcement officers seem pretty reasonable about knives. I've never had a problem.)
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I'm only a "big fan of that guy" because he is trying to tell people the Truth and backs it up with action. I'm a fan of anyone who does that. I never said dignity and decorum are the same thing. That was my question because you said he didn't act with dignity. He was acting with complete dignity until he was violently forced to the ground in hand cuffs for exercising his right of free speech. The way it works is they take a little here, they take a little there. They take a little more here etc. so good luck with the cops in Pittsburg regarding your knife rights. Not pointing at you, specifically, but apathy, ignorance and compliance are as much the real enemies as the zombie minions who carry out orders. Peace to you as well.
 
Whining, shouting, and insanity aren't viable options. Whenever possible, present documentation to back up your argument. Cite state when when applicable, including the section number. Ask them to take a look at what the law actually has to say. Have legal council on hand who will object when it's appropriate and who can cite court decisions that apply. Tailor your arguments and approach to the audience you may draw. Show that you're not a rabid dog.

When all else fails, then proceed with the lawsuit against the appropriate parties. Video evidence is a bonus. Handheld wireless transmitters are very handy.
 
TOM1960 said:
Problem is, how does one transport them from Point A to Point B without committing a felony? Here in MA, carrying a switchblade in public is a felony. They are legally sold in NH and one can legally carry them in NH. So, if a MA resident wants to own a switchblade (perfectly legal to keep at home), he must travel to NH, purchase the knife, commit a felony while transporting it home and then put it in his house. Legal purchase, felony transportation, legal ownership in house. Just don't get caught during the trip home!
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You cant transport a switchblade over state lines unless you are using in in the military or as a leo. Its not illegal to own a switchblade or transport it in a secure manner in ma, but unless ur a leo or military theres no way to legally aquire them. The exeption being something like 2.5 inches or less.
 
MAKnifenut, I don't know the MA law well, but the Federal law only applies to not sending switchblades over state lines as MERCHANDISE. If you are moving the knife from one state to another with no intent to sale or not as a delivery of a sold item, then you're not breaking the federal law. You would be moving your property and not merchandise.....
 
TOM1960 said:
Problem is, how does one transport them from Point A to Point B without committing a felony? Here in MA, carrying a switchblade in public is a felony. They are legally sold in NH and one can legally carry them in NH. So, if a MA resident wants to own a switchblade (perfectly legal to keep at home), he must travel to NH, purchase the knife, commit a felony while transporting it home and then put it in his house. Legal purchase, felony transportation, legal ownership in house. Just don't get caught during the trip home!
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With matters like that, context and intent is always considered. Say you just bought the knife, and for the drive home, you put it in the trunk of your car along with the receipt in the bag. Alternatively, you could toss the receipt and bag at the mall, then drove home with the knife in the driver's side door pocket. You're transporting either way, but depending on how you do it, there will be drastic differences in how the law reacts.
 
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