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Okay, back to the original question of legality.
I checked my state's statutes regarding weapons and while they have the ban on switchblades, this is all the state has in place covering knives:
941.23 Carrying concealed weapon. Any person except
a peace officer who goes armed with a concealed and dangerous
weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
A dangerous weapon is defined as:
939.22(10) "Dangerous weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or great bodily harm; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (4); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
I was surprised to learn that there is no limit on the blade length (but there are a number of local cities who have ordinances limiting the length). I spoke with a local cop and someone at the state level. It basically comes down to what you say when a cop finds a knife on you. If you are carrying a basic pocket knife (concealed) and a cop asks you what you use it for, don't tell them safety, self defense, protection, etc. That means that you intend to use the knife as a dangerous weapon should the need arise. Tell them you use it for work, to open mail, to pick your teeth.....anything which would show that you have no intention of hurting anyone with it. You may think that this is common sense but I can tell you from recent events at work that it isn't.
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A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin
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