So, I am currently working on an "EDC Mini-BOB pack", and I am ordering a BK-22, which has a 5.25 inch blade. Georgia's Knife law is this: Weapon means a knife or handgun. Knife means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than five inches in length which is fastened to a handle." Now, there is one point in this that I think could allow me to legally carry it in the pack concealed. I am a minor, but I don't believe the law specifically states against a minor carrying a blade, as long as it is under 5 Inches. Although, the law specifically states, "For the purpose of Offense and Defense". Would this not mean, if I were to carry around, lets say the item description on amazon, proving that it is meant for a SURVIVAL blade, I could legally carry it? Hopefully someone can help me figure this out.
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Understanding Georgia's Knife Laws.
- Thread starter Ben W.
- Start date
There is no definitive answer that can be provided for this because we have gone beyond the realm of statutes and existing caselaw for the state of GA, but I will tell you what I know. In nearly a decade of reading knife-related caselaw across the US, I have never once seen the knife's advertisement description considered as evidence of intended purpose. Courts usually rely on the design itself as well as expert testimony from police officers and knife experts/collectors, such as Bernard Levine, as well as the reason you were apprehended by the police in the first place.
As a matter of fact, the latter is most important. The BK-22 is just barely over 5", so a cop glancing at it cannot tell it's over the limit, and it is not general practice among police officers to spot a knife and immediately pull out a ruler. They have better things to do. Furthermore, if carried pack, you would have to have committed some kind of crime already for the police to be searching it, and at that point the knife is the least of your worries. I should mention your car doesn't count for this law, so common fears about searches during traffic stops would not be relevant. If you insist on absolute legal assurance, then you should obtain a concealed weapon permit, making a knife of any size legal for carry.
As a matter of fact, the latter is most important. The BK-22 is just barely over 5", so a cop glancing at it cannot tell it's over the limit, and it is not general practice among police officers to spot a knife and immediately pull out a ruler. They have better things to do. Furthermore, if carried pack, you would have to have committed some kind of crime already for the police to be searching it, and at that point the knife is the least of your worries. I should mention your car doesn't count for this law, so common fears about searches during traffic stops would not be relevant. If you insist on absolute legal assurance, then you should obtain a concealed weapon permit, making a knife of any size legal for carry.
I'm a Georgia resident, long time GWL holder, have carried a knife of some sort daily since middle school and am the father of a minor. All of the above lead me to the following:
While you are free to do as you wish, I will say that if you are looking for loopholes and considering carrying around a product description from Amazon as justification, that is a pretty good sign that maybe you should consider other options.
My kid owns knives and regularly carries them, but we are very careful on sizes, types and places where they go.
If my kid was 18-20 and wanted to carry a mid sized fixed blade in a GHB in their car, I would not be against it (as long as it did not enter school property, etc). Younger than that or talking about carrying the bag around on one's person I would be against it.
A camping or hiking trip to Cohutta? I doubt anyone will ever say anything no matter the knife size. Atlanta or the surrounding area, Macon, Augusta, Savannah or any mid sized city? I wouldn't risk it. A LEO officer will likely not care what the Amazon ad says and neither will the DA or judge. There are any of a number of reasons why you could have your bag searched which could result in charges.
A concealed weapons charge as a minor can have long lasting consequences far down the road, in terms of ever getting a GWL, background checks for jobs, etc. That's something to think about.
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SW-EDC
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I visited the State Capital building in Atlanta. I told my wife to go in as it stated weapons of any kind are not permitted.
Just then my wife said to come in and I was met by a State Trooper standing by the metal detector.
He asked to see my knife which was a 3" spring assist S&W M&P.
Trooper said "That is not a weapon, go through the detector and then I'll give you the knife."
Yup, under a 5" blade you are fine
That was awesome!
Just then my wife said to come in and I was met by a State Trooper standing by the metal detector.
He asked to see my knife which was a 3" spring assist S&W M&P.
Trooper said "That is not a weapon, go through the detector and then I'll give you the knife."
Yup, under a 5" blade you are fine
That was awesome!
I also live in Georgia, and left to my own devices, I would carry an Aranyik e-nep or another short machete with me into the woods every time. These are absolutely not designed for offense or defense, but as agricultural tools.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't risk it.
The premise that a knife is not "designed for the purpose of offense and defense" is far less solid legal ground than the fact that it is not "greater than five inches."
The name of your blade asserts that it is for camping (cAmpanion) and the product description on the Kabar website reiterates this intended purpose, listing multiple camping and hunting tasks, but the determination of its intended use remains a matter of legal interpretation at the point of contact with the justice system.
To make matters worse, the point of contact will be a LEO, not a member of the judiciary who is trained to determine fine points and nuances of legal interpretation.
Furthermore, the point at which the length of your blade will become a matter of concern would most likely be during a search made while under suspicion of committing or having committed a crime.
If you are on trial, especially if accused of committing a violent crime, LEO's, prosecutors, juries, and judges are likely to interpret your possession of any edged implement negatively, and one that exceeds state legal limits all the more.
It's your call, but as for me, I choose to carry blades up to 4.99 inches in length, just so there's no room for discussion in a court of law.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't risk it.
The premise that a knife is not "designed for the purpose of offense and defense" is far less solid legal ground than the fact that it is not "greater than five inches."
The name of your blade asserts that it is for camping (cAmpanion) and the product description on the Kabar website reiterates this intended purpose, listing multiple camping and hunting tasks, but the determination of its intended use remains a matter of legal interpretation at the point of contact with the justice system.
To make matters worse, the point of contact will be a LEO, not a member of the judiciary who is trained to determine fine points and nuances of legal interpretation.
Furthermore, the point at which the length of your blade will become a matter of concern would most likely be during a search made while under suspicion of committing or having committed a crime.
If you are on trial, especially if accused of committing a violent crime, LEO's, prosecutors, juries, and judges are likely to interpret your possession of any edged implement negatively, and one that exceeds state legal limits all the more.
It's your call, but as for me, I choose to carry blades up to 4.99 inches in length, just so there's no room for discussion in a court of law.
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