Does carriyng around a sheathed sword in public violate concealed weapons laws in any state? My friend has a 32-inch katana blade that he’d like to carry around, but we’re not sure if it’s legal. I’m wondering if an obvious sword counts as a concealed weapon if it’s sheathed.
Uhh, pretty much any blade longer than 2.5" is illegal to carry in public. There is a website that would be more informative about this. It lists the laws state by state. http://www.knifeart.com/knifeart/kniflawbysta.html
My first question is why the hell does your friend want to carry around a kitana sword? That guy has some serious issues. In New York, anything over 4 inches is not legal. And yes, I would arrest him for CPW (Criminal Possession of a Weapon) in my state.
Drain: as you can see, it’s largely relative to your state.
While I wouldn’t knock the effectiveness of “cold steel”, especially the psychological advantage, unless your friend has a real, honest-to-God sword (as opposed to these pretty replicas commonly available), and knows how to use it effectively, I couldn’t recommend a sword as a personal weapon for self defense, regardless of the legalities of carrying it, concealed or otherwise.
I’m no martial arts expert, but I think Glitch would back me up on this.
If your friend really feels the need to cary a weapon for self-defense, I can honestly only recommend that he look into the possibilty of getting a Concealed Carry Permit for a handgun.
Most states require some type of training before a person can even apply for the Concealed Carry Permit, and this training usually covers that state’s laws concerning carry, use of deadly force and such.
If he’s doing it out of some affectation, then I can only say to him (through you): Get a Life.
I do carry swords on occasion, like Rennaissance Fairs and formal functions where my Kilt, Claymore and dirk would be appropriate; but not for self defense.
ExTank
Unfortunately ExTank, a concealed carry permit is not an option in Ohio.
You’ll have to check your state laws and be specific because it’s dangerous to try and extrapolate.
Since any SDer knows that it’s a bad idea to get medical or legal advice off the net I’ll throw in my dos centavos and extrapolate anyway.
In Arizona, open carry of a firearm is legal and requires no permit. Only conealed weapons require a permit. I don’t think ordinary pocket knives with small blades fall into that category but I’ve seen references that an automatic knife (switchblade, not illegal in AZ) does. Carrying a firearm in a scabbard or holster that is showing is not conealed. The same may apply to katana swords but that advice and $5 will get you a grand latte at Starbucks.
In Vermont, no permit at all is required to carry a concealed handgun. That used to be the case in Idaho, too, but I’m not sure if it still is. No other state allows concealed handguns without a permit. There probably are limits even in Vermont (schools, courthouses, etc.). If they allow concealed handguns, I don’t see why not swords. But let me stress that Vermont is a very unusual state.
Work is the curse of the drinking classes. (Oscar Wilde)
There’s something I don’t get here… Say I’m going to a potluck across town, and I bring my 12-inch serrated kitchen knife. It’s long, it’s serrated, it’s a blade… Is it illegal?
“There are only two things that are infinite: The Universe, and human stupidity-- and I’m not sure about the Universe”
–A. Einstein
Just out of curiousity how old is your friend? FWIW if I saw a “man” carrying a real 32" sword in public and it wasn’t Halloween I’d quite frankly assume he was developmentally delayed… emphasis on the “mentally”. I might also think he is quite probably dangerous not so much for the weapon specifically but for the obvious message he is laboring to convey (ie I’m one Bad Mofo and I’m stupid enough to carry a sword in public so God knows WHAT I’m capable of).
Within a short (very short) time after the first frightened civilian sees that near yard long sword being carried about (sheathed or not) in public I guarantee you there will be a scene straight out of COPS ensuing with your sweating, stammering friend earnestly “explaining” his accessorizing decisions to several very unamused policemen.
Not a good idea.
Okay, a few details.
He’s 21.
He’d be carrying the sword only for transportation purposes, not for show or for self-defense, but just to have it at his side while taking it from one place to another.
So you can carry a gun but not a knife in some places? How does that makes sense?
If he just needs to move it, he can put it in a box.