Traveling to Detroit, MI.

[arrowhd]

I will be flying to Detroit in a few weeks to attended a business conference. Would like to bring my Spyderco Delica with me. I have been doing some research online. Looks like it is ok to have the knife in my "check in" luggage. From what I could find MI allows blades under 3" to be carried lawfully. Any specific city laws that I need to know about? I haven't been on a plane in about 20 years and don't travel out of state often. Thanks for any helpful advice.

Keith

 

[rayban]

I can't help you with the law part, but I can tell you that most guys I hang with, be it in business or hobby, carry knives.
No one will bother you for carrying a 3" folder clipped to your pocket...of course, we all know that when asked, a knife is a tool.
Never claim it to be a self defense weapon. (unwritten street law around here)

 

[DaCheez]

I live in Michigan and am fairly familiar with the knife law here, although I am also not a lawyer so take this with a grain of salt: It is actually legal to carry a blade longer than 3" in Michigan so long as it is with lawful intent (it's also generally a good idea to only open carry a blade longer than 3", although concealing it won't necessarily get you in trouble; the law is incredibly vague on that point). 3" and under is clearly legal for both open and concealed carry. However, Detroit has a city ordinance against carrying a blade longer than 3", so stick to a blade of 3" or less as long as you're in the city.

 

[SShepherd]

I live in Michigan and am fairly familiar with the knife law here, although I am also not a lawyer so take this with a grain of salta : It is actually legal to carry a blade longer than 3" in Michigan so long as it is with lawful intent (it's also generally good idea to only open carry a blade longer than 3", although concealing it won't necessarily get you in trouble; the law is incredibly vague on that point). 3" and under is clearly legal for both open and concealed carry. However, Detroit has a city ordinance against carrying a blade longer than 3", so stick to a blade of 3" or less as long as you're in the city.

it better be during hunting season, and you better have a hunting lic., otherwise you're looking to loose the knife or go to jail

 

[DaCheez]

it better be during hunting season, and you better have a hunting lic., otherwise you're looking to loose the knife or go to jail

To my knowledge that only applies to concealment of "dangerous weapons," and there is no specific definition in that section of the law for what length of knife qualifies as a "dangerous weapon." It merely states that an exemption is made for hunting knives "adapted and carried as such."

The Michigan State Police actually address the issue of blade length on their FAQ page. See #5 under "Other Weapons (Non-Pistols)": http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1586_27094-10953--,00.html#OTHER_WEAPONS__NON_PISTOLS_

The law you alluded to about hunting knives involves concealment and makes no mention of blade length. It comes from Section 750.227 of the Michigan Penal Code: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(5y...tName=mcl-750-227&highlight=knife AND hunting

I hope this information proves helpful to you.

 

[DaCheez]

I apologize, it seems I made an error. Some case law from 2010 was just brought to my attention which indicates that in Michigan a knife having a blade longer than 3" is a "dangerous weapon per se" and therefore can't be concealed. Open carry of such a knife is obviously still legal, however.

But again, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. I'm just someone who is also trying to understand the legal-eze of Michigan's knife law.

 

[arrowhd]

Thank you for all the information. Sounds like I should be ok carrying the Delica as the blade is 2 7/8 inches.

 

[SShepherd]

DaCheez

there's the "letter" of the law, and the "spirit" of the law.

I can tell you from Friends of mine who are State, Sherrif, and local police- as well as being a reserve for a number of years that most police know 1 thing, the "3 inch rule"
Anything else or questionable they send to the prosecuter. i don't have the money to throw at case law and testing the courts, so I stay at the 3" rule.