Knife Laws of the Fifty States: A Guide for the Law-Abiding Traveler [Paperback]

Esq., David Wong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2006

Today, more and more law-abiding citizens are carrying knives as part of their daily complement of gear. Knowing whether the knife you carry is legal to carry or even possess is both difficult and critically important, because carrying a prohibited knife can result in hefty fines, jail time, or both, along with a misdemeanor or felony criminal record that may haunt (and hinder) you for the rest of your life. Knife Laws of the Fifty States was written to help the law-abiding traveler and knife owner better understand the differing restrictions on knife carry that each state imposes on those within its borders. The carry restrictions for different types of knives under each state¿s law, off-limits areas for knife carry, blade length restrictions, and carry mode restrictions are discussed, with excerpts of relevant state laws and selected case law citations also provided. Perhaps just as important, an analysis and discussion of knife restrictions for selected cities and towns in each state is included. Major cities covered include New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta and Las Vegas, to name a few. Written in a concise and easy to read format, this informative and extensively researched book will help you, the law-abiding traveler and knife owner, gain a greater understanding of the complexities of knife regulation in our great Nation. If you carry a knife, Knife Laws of the Fifty States belongs on your bookshelf!

Editorial Reviews

Review

[G]ives the knife owner a good basic overview of state laws. I recommend reading it before your next cross-country trip. -- Tactical Knives, March 2007

About the Author

David Wong is an attorney in private practice in Massachusetts. He has been teaching and training in a variety of self-defense disciplines for a number of years, from firearms to knives to defensive tactics for high-risk situations, and holds instructor certifications from several nationally recognized training academies. David is an NRA Life Member and NRA-certified firearms instructor, and has taught both lawfully-armed civilians and sworn law enforcement officers as an adjunct instructor at the SigArms Academy in Epping, NH. He is a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), and is a charter member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). The author has been collecting knives for many years, and regularly carries a pocket knife as part of his daily attire. This book was inspired by the author¿s extensive cross-country travels, and the need to have an easy, accurate summary of the knife-related carry laws of each state.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (August 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425950922
• ISBN-13: 978-1425950927
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #751,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crucial Reference and More, September 24, 2006

By 

K. Wagner (Amherst, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knife Laws of the Fifty States: A Guide for the Law-Abiding Traveler (Paperback)

If you've ever spent hours frustrated on the Internet searching statutes in an effort to determine the legality in carrying your 4-inch tanto-point pocket folder on your next business trip read this book. If you carry any hunting, fishing, utility or other knife read this book. For the first time (in my experience) here exists a single, easy reference collecting relevant statutes and case law for all fifty states. What an eye opener! The author shares his insight into countless obscure and convoluted laws that can unwittingly land you a in legal morass of hurt. Not just an legal reference he also discusses the enforcement climate of each state as well as factors for selecting a "non-threatening" (i.e. poltically correct) carry knife, interacting with law enforcement, and other practical considerations.

"Knife Laws" provides an essential legal reference and travel companion for lay persons.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming an educated traveler, May 26, 2008

By 

Jax - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knife Laws of the Fifty States: A Guide for the Law-Abiding Traveler (Paperback)

I travel to and through many different states every week for work. I have carried a pocket knife daily for 35 years. Recently I learned from a co-worker that his pocket knife (3" lock blade) was confiscated by a police officer in Boston, MA. Although it was concealed in his pocket, the officer saw its print and asked him to hand it over. With this fresh reminder of the existence of knife laws, I spent hours reading through whatever I could find (and decipher) from the Internet on my home state and MA. Although I found some of the laws, there was the nagging thought that maybe there was more, or that I was misunderstanding what I was reading. With my intense schedule, it was also an overwhelming thought to dig up the laws of all of the states I travel through on a weekly basis.

As an aid in my pursuit to be a law abiding knife owner, I ordered this book. Within an hour of receiving it I read sections 1-6 (introduction and basic concepts and facts concerning legal knife carry), and the sections on all of the states I travel through weekly.

It was both comforting and disturbing to gain a clear understanding of the wide variety of state laws pertaining to knife carry. Although I came away from that session wondering if I could get in trouble for carrying a simple folding pocket knife in some states, it was empowering to have Mr. Wong's concise assessment of each state's knife carry laws.

Referencing this book before any travel to/through other states is making me a much more educated traveler. Although this knowledge is compelling me to leave the knife home on certain trips (for the first time in my life), it is also reducing my likelihood of getting in trouble with the law. My co-worker lost his knife to a Boston police officer, but he could have gotten jail time because his knife exceeded Boston's 2 ½" blade limit!

Mr. Wong is an attorney who has traveled extensively within the USA. He is doing a wonderful service to law abiding knife carrying travelers to share his knowledge with us through this very reasonably priced book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Have Book on Knive Carry, March 2, 2009

By 

JeffGC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knife Laws of the Fifty States: A Guide for the Law-Abiding Traveler (Paperback)

If you carry anything larger than a Swiss Army Knife on your keychain, you need this book. Mr. David Wong, the author, clearly explains the knife laws of each of the fifty states. Mr. Wong's style makes easy reading of what you need to know before your carry a knife. Anyone who has ever attempted to decipher state knife laws knows how confusing they can be. Buy Mr. Wong's book.