Wisconsin knife laws?

A

audiopile

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
653
Couple of questions:
1.) I grew up with the 3" blade is legal belief - does this have any basis in Wisconsin law?Is there a max length for a folder -again in Wi. law?
2.) Can fixed blades be carried on your person if they are not concealed?
3.) The Wisco law seems like it might outlaw Onion/K'shaw SpeedSafes -does anyone if there is any case law on this specific issue as it relates to Wis. Have carried speed-safe knives for years - don't want to get a un-pleasant surprise one of these days.
4.)Does the clip on a folder being in sight constitute a defence from the concealed carry misdeamenor?
 
>>941.24. Possession of switchblade knife

(1) Whoever manufactures, sells or offers to sell, transports, purchases, possesses or goes armed with any knife having a blade which opens by pressing a button, spring or other device in the handle or by gravity or by a thrust or movement is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(2) Within 30 days after April 16, 1959, such knives shall be surrendered to any peace officer.
--------------

Basically the only prohibited knives are switchblades and balisongs/butterfly knives.

There has been no court cases that prohibit assisted openers.

There is no length limit for either folders or fixed blades.

Wisconsin law does not define "weapon" under Chapter 941, but there is no case law on a knife being a concealed weapon other than the prohibited switchblades or balisongs.
 
Talking to LE - 4" max. in City of Milwaukee for a folding knife.Understand a fixed blade knife can not be carried in a manner judged to be essentially concealed.Kicker here is that if you carry a fixed blade knife out where it can be seen -you just might get arrested under the always popular "Disorderly Conduct" charge.
essential problem is that the Sate of Wisconsin has a concealed weapons charge that includes knives - this is used as a "pile on" charge - get arrested for something and the knife as concealed weapon will be added to the pile of charges. State law does not pre-empt a locality from having it's own regulations on knives and of course local DA's may have different opinions about what the very broad state law says in terms of design features of the knife.It looks to me that you could drive around S-E Wisconsin and be in and out of local law problems 3 or 4 times during the course of a days buisness.
Personally -I've decided to stick to something under 4" and with no AO features.Simply don't need the agro.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top