Is it legal to carry a knife in NJ?

[Guest]

Can I carry a knife legally in NJ in a non hunting situation?

 

Whats the deal?

[coldsolderjoint 84]

I know it has been covered here before... but

 

Basically, you need to have a lawful purpose for carrying the knife.

 

Ie, if you where carrying that 18" machete to go threaten the clerk at the liquor store into emptying the register, it would not be lawful.

 

A lot of gray area in terms of "Personal protection", "in case I have to open boxes", "its just another tool", etc.

 

No length limits unless you are under 18 years of age.

 

Also, no switchblades or gravity knives either, iirc.

[Guest]

I know it has been covered here before... but

 

Basically, you need to have a lawful purpose for carrying the knife.

 

Ie, if you where carrying that 18" machete to go threaten the clerk at the liquor store into emptying the register, it would not be lawful.

 

A lot of gray area in terms of "Personal protection", "in case I have to open boxes", "its just another tool", etc.

 

No length limits unless you are under 18 years of age.

 

Also, no switchblades or gravity knives either, iirc.

 

you hit everything that i know about.. i carry a knife every day..

[coldsolderjoint 84]

I do have a friend who was arrested, charged, and eventually convicted of DUI.

 

The arresting officer on scene confiscated his pocket knife (a small $10 under 3" blade POS knife).

 

AFAIK, he wasn't ever charged with anything on the basis of the knife.. but he didn't get it back either. So.. idk about that.

[tbtrout 141]

I always have knife with me. Had once since I was a teenager. Eddie covered everything I can think of.

[Ohnonotme 0]

I have a butterfly knife and an 18" blade that I got in Iraq. I would never think about carrying that outside of my home but I would possibly carry the butterfly knife in my car but I don't think I have a valid reason for other than self defense.

 

Instead, for self defense, I carry a blunt metal dumbbell bar. "I was transporting equipment and I guess it got misplaced under my seat."

[Sigman 41]

I'm not sure, but NJ may consider a butterly knife a gravity knife. Gravity knives are illegal in NJ so I would check on that before keeping in your car.

 

I usually carry an assisted opener or tactical type knife with me that I use at work or around the house.

[sirsloop 1]

Lol... I play baseball once in a while

[Ohnonotme 0]

Lol... I play baseball once in a while

 

 

 

"I'm a samarui (sp) chef."

[sirsloop 1]

lol... part time samurai

 

or... I open boxes with it (my samurai sword)

[Ohnonotme 0]

lol... part time samurai

 

or... I open boxes with it (my samurai sword)

 

 

 

 

"Officer, that's for javelin practice, that's for my lumberjack business (part time) and that's from my work as a knight at Medieval Times. I'm well-rounded, now if you will please hand me back my box of dum dums, I'll be on my way. Oh the dum dums, those are for my biscuit which pumps lead, part time."

[sirsloop 1]

speaking of swords... haven't there been a bunch of people killed with them recently. I remember some story about some porn guy killing people with a sword recently...

[Ohnonotme 0]

speaking of swords... haven't there been a bunch of people killed with them recently. I remember some story about some porn guy killing people with a sword recently...

 

 

 

 

I heard he warned his victims that he was about to get all medieval on their a**es.

[bry@n 195]

I carry a knife with me all the time as well. I switch between Spryderco, Strider and buck.

 

I did get away with having two machetes out in a defense situation in NYC. I don't think I will ever do that again though.

[tommy3rd 132]

Here:

New Jersey - Code of Criminal Justice

 

- 2C:39-3 Prohibited Weapons and Devices...

 

e. Certain weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his

possession any gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger,

dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, metal knuckle, sandclub,

slingshot, cestus or similar leather band studded with

metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, ballistic

knife, without any explainable lawful purpose, is guilty

of a crime of the fourth degree.

 

- 2C:39-1 h. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a

blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof

by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal

force... p. "Switchblade knife" means any knife or similar

device which has blade which opens automatically by hand

pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in

the handle of the knife... u. "Ballistic knife" means any

weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can

propel a knife blade.

 

- 2C:39-4. Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes...

d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any

weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it

unlawfully against the person or property of another is

guilty of a crime of the third degree.

 

- 2C:39-5. Unlawful Possession of Weapons... d. Other weapons.

Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other

weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for

such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of

the fourth degree.

- - e. Firearms or other weapons in educational institutions...

(2)Any person who knowingly possesses any weapon enumerated

in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1

or any components which can readily be assembled into a

firearm or other weapon enumerated in subsection r. of

N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any other weapon under circumstances not

manifestly appropriate for such lawful use as it may have,

while in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any

school, college, university or other educational institution

without the written authorization of the governing officer

of the institution is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

 

 

 

 

- 2C:39-6. f. Nothing in subsections b., c. and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5

shall be construed to prevent... (2) A person carrying a firearm

or knife in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this State

for the purpose of hunting, target practice or fishing, provided

that the firearm or knife is legal and appropriate for hunting

or fishing purposes in this State and he has in his possession

a valid hunting license, or, with respect to fresh water fishing,

a valid fishing license;

 

(3) A person transporting any firearm or knife while traveling:

(a) Directly to or from any place for the purpose of hunting or

fishing, provided the person has in his possession a valid

hunting or fishing license; or

 

 

 

- 2C:39-9. d. Weapons. Any person who manufactures, causes to

be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of

any weapon including gravity knives, switchblade knives,

daggers, dirks, stilettos... is guilty of a crime of the

fourth degree.

 

- 2C:39-9.1... Any person who sells any hunting, fishing,

combat or survival knife having a blade length of five

inches or more or an overall length of 10 inches or more

to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the

fourth degree...

 

New Jersey Case Law:

- "Concealment was not a necessary element of the offense of

carrying a dangerous knife." (1973)

- "Concealment of weapon at time of incident constituted

important factor of offense of possession of dangerous

knife." (1971)

[Krdshrk 3,878]

I carry a knife with me all the time as well. I switch between Spryderco, Strider and buck.

 

Ditto. Except mine's a Gerber.

[Bob B 103]

If you are asked by a police officer why you are carrying a knife, what will your answer be?

[Krdshrk 3,878]

I use it for work - unpacking computers from boxes.

[Bob B 103]

Evenings, weekends, at the park with the kids? That answer might be problematic under those kinds of circumstances.

[PK90 3,573]

Would not "self defense" be the answer? Is there a law against defending yourself?

[Bob B 103]

Would not "self defense" be the answer? Is there a law against defending yourself?

 

I agree that "self defense" should be an appropriate answer, but this is NJ.

[Guest]

Would not "self defense" be the answer? Is there a law against defending yourself?

 

can you just say that.. lol...

[Joeybones 1]

I read an article in a knife magazine a few years ago. The author said a knife is not automatically considered a weapon as it has other uses. However if you say your carrying it for "self defense" that would classify it as a weapon as your intending to use it as a weapon. The article went on to say a Gun would always be considered a weapon as that is all it can be used for.

I don't know how accurate the article was but it sounds like a reasonable explanation.

[Drew 4]

I read an article in a knife magazine a few years ago. The author said a knife is not automatically considered a weapon as it has other uses. However if you say your carrying it for "self defense" that would classify it as a weapon as your intending to use it as a weapon. The article went on to say a Gun would always be considered a weapon as that is all it can be used for.

I don't know how accurate the article was but it sounds like a reasonable explanation.

 

Hey, hey there! Don

[KpdPipes 388]

I read an article in a knife magazine a few years ago. The author said a knife is not automatically considered a weapon as it has other uses. However if you say your carrying it for "self defense" that would classify it as a weapon as your intending to use it as a weapon. The article went on to say a Gun would always be considered a weapon as that is all it can be used for.

I don't know how accurate the article was but it sounds like a reasonable explanation.

 

 

That is why the Law is written as it is. 2C:39-4 and 5 (d) (Unlawful possession of a weapon and Possession of a weapon for Unlawful Purpose) where it just lists anything other than a Firearm, Explosive, Destructive Device, or Imitation firearm as "Other Weapon" Doesnt matter what it is..Knife, Pencil, uncooked spaghetti...if you use it in a manner that makes it a weapon, then it is a weapon. Carry a pocketknife for opening boxes, or whatever other legitimate purpose, and you're fine..however, use it for a NON-legitimate purpose and it becomes chargeable.

[SafetyHit 1]

Would not "self defense" be the answer? Is there a law against defending yourself?

 

 

 

This is a gray area to most of us. Since you are likely in a position to do so, might you choose to enlighten us a bit?

 

Only asking because I have wondered what the most "practical" response would be if I were ever questioned while wearing a small knife primarily (though not solely due to utility potential) to defend myself or others.

[Guest]

Would not "self defense" be the answer? Is there a law against defending yourself?

 

 

 

This is a gray area to most of us. Since you are likely in a position to do so, might you choose to enlighten us a bit?

 

Only asking because I have wondered what the most "practical" response would be if I were ever questioned while wearing a small knife primarily (though not solely due to utility potential) to defend myself or others.

 

I suspect that even if HE says yes you could say that.. that is ONLY going to cover you for encounters with LEO who are logical.. come across some noob looking for that big bust and all of the sudden your pocket knife that you declare is a weapon of defense becomes something he TRIES to charge you with...

 

I think that I will stick to my answer..

 

"why are you carrying a knife"

"that is a tool i find myself using ALL the time"

"well how do you use something like this?"

"cutting rope to tie things down in a truck bed, opening boxes at work, cutting the tag off of my nieces stuffed animal, this is a truly versatile tool that could be used for a NUMBER of things I encounter just about every day.."

 

the ONLY reason i would give such a DETAILED answer is so that I avoid pigeon holing myself into ONLY having a need at work..

 

although i will say this.. i carry a rather big folder and have used it to open boxes and or packaging in my store.. and i have used it DOZENS of times in front of LEOs.. and have NEVER once even been asked about it.. not even a single time..

[lexcruiser 13]

Found this thread and thought it might be relevant..

I'm planning on picking up a Benchmade Rift knife and was wondering what you guys carried with you daily.

 

Right now, I have a small Gerber knife that I've had for close to 10yrs. Love it... but its probably about time to retire it.

 

Here's the Rift I'm planning on picking up -

[lexcruiser 13]

Ok... So I've been doing some research and now have a NEW questions because the laws are so confusing...

 

Would that Benchmade knife be considered a "gravity" knife since you can "flick" it open, hence making it illegal to own???

WTF?? :?: :?: :doh: :?

[Krdshrk 3,878]

I still use my Gerber EZ Out.