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Is it illegal to carry a pocket knife in your pockets? I always carry one because I live in a rough area.?

I would really appreciate it if a police officer or a lawyer could answer this for me! The pocket knife is basically your average folding blade. The blade is maybe 2-3 inches long. I only carry it because I live in a rough area. Also, I would like to know what would happen if I was confronted by a mugger/thief/etc and I ended up stabbing that person out of self defense? thanks for your input guys!

Update:

Ah i forgot to mention I live in Queens, NY. I am a college student and I leave it in the car when I am on campus. The answers I have seen so far are great and I really appreciate it! I would also like to mention that I also carry a knife in case I need it to cut through a seatbelt in an accident.

18 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I'm not a cop, but I am a firefighter. I carry a knife everywhere I go, not for protection, but for other uses including safety. I've had to use it to cut seatbelts in order to quickly remove car crash victims from a burning car. I've been questioned about the knives I carry by PD and all of them open the blade and lay it across their palm. If it extends past the size of their palms, they say it's "illegal". Mine are 4" blades and have a serrated edge. If you have a pocket knife, so long as it's not menacingly long, such as the size I described, I guarantee you will NOT get in trouble, unless you're taking it into a school. Weapons of ANY kind are prohibited on school grounds, as well as government buildings ike courthouses, etc. But, if it's small, they'll give it back to you when you leave. The surefire way to find out is ask a police officer. They'll appreciate the fact that you want to follow the law.

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    6 years ago

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    RE:

    Is it illegal to carry a pocket knife in your pockets? I always carry one because I live in a rough area.?

    I would really appreciate it if a police officer or a lawyer could answer this for me! The pocket knife is basically your average folding blade. The blade is maybe 2-3 inches long. I only carry it because I live in a rough area. Also, I would like to know what would happen if I was confronted by a...

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  • 1 decade ago

    You should seriously consider getting your concealed carry permit if you live in a rough neighborhood. I can pretty much assure you that in most situations 5 .357 magnums in an attakcers center mass is better than just lunging at him with a knife. Especially a bad idea if he were armed!

    As far as use of deadly force goes, if you are afraid for the life of yourself or a person that you care about you have the right (and in my opinion obligation) to use lethal force. That basically sums up the law in all states but all states have pages and pages of laws dealing with the use of deadly force. The above is just a basic summary.

    In court you'd just have to say, "If i didn't proceed in my course of action innocent people would have been seriously injured or killed during the muggers actions. If i could go back to that day i would not have changed a single thing i've done. I do feel sorry for his family but i would feel even worse if innocent people had died and i could have done something about it."

    I'm sure that would win the jury over right then and there.

    And the way i look at it. It's better in prison than in a bodybag

  • 5 years ago

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I think it depends on area you live in. I carry a 3 inch pocket knife, and I don't think it matters unless you have it concealed(most pocket knifes have a clip, and having it clipped on your pocket dosen't count as having it concealed). As for your other question, if you stab him out of self defense, you won't get charges for that. If the guy sues, you could counter-sue and probably win. Just be careful he is not in a gang, or he might get his gang to place a hit on you or something...

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You are fine as long as your knife is not automatic or the blade is not over the width of your hand. If you stab someone in self defense, you are okay as long as you can prove it. I would suggest using your knife or any other item in self-defense only if your life is threatened. Otherwise, keep it in your pocket.

    Another suggestion would be to get a conceal-carry permit and carry a 9mm or .40 cal semi auto or revolver. A gun is more effective in self defense. The majority of States offer this option unless you live in states like CA or NY/NJ, etc..

  • 1 decade ago

    Okay if it's a lock blade pocket knife it's okay to carry around... you just have to watch WHERE you are carrying it. For example if you carry it into a school or near a jail or you could be charged with a felony. Umm if you brandish it that's illegal and you could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony automatically. If it's used in self defence and you actually had to use it then it's up to you and your lawyer to prove it.

  • 1 decade ago

    Carrying a pocketknife is legal in most places. Usually as long as the blade is under a certain length, it is not considered a "weapon."

    If you were to stab someone in self defense, you would be likely be ok legally, however, actually getting your knife out and open would be unlikely if you were mugged or attacked without warning.

  • 6 years ago

    According to me Pocket knives less than 7 inches are legal to carry as per laws.

  • Sandra
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/xeX8Z

    I don't carry one in my pocket,but i have at least one in each car,and one in my concealed carry fanny pack. I also have a thing in each car that has a blade for cutting a seat belt,a pointed metal thing to break car glass with,and an enclosed pin to puncture the air bag with if needed.

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