Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

There are 3 states that I have more than a passing knowledge of when it comes to knife / gun laws. Today I checked current information on government sites for those 3 states to validate my concerns after reviewing a borrowed copy of this book.

This book contains incorrect information for all 3 of the states that I checked, all of which would clearly lead to multiple violations. In most cases this is due to changes in the law since this book was printed, but in my home state I question the correctness of this material at the time it was published.

1 star because most of the generic information is useful even though it is available in many other places, and because 0 stars is not an option since this book is supposed to be a legal guide for travelers.

I fail to see the value of a reference that suggests in its "How to use" instructions that you do some research in advance of your trip to insure what you read in the reference material is correct and up to date.

I have been carrying a pocket knife for over... well let's just say a very long time. It is becoming increasingly common for states to limit the type of knives we can carry in public. Knife Laws open with a broad discussion of the issue and follows up with a clear, reference style, list of the restrictions of the various states. I found both sections worthwhile.

Knife Laws has made a nice complement to my others books on knife art, value, construction.

Marginal utility. Other than the general overview, there were just two and a half pages covering California (plus bit more listing legal cases).

If you own a knife and like to carry it, get this book and find out what you can and cannot do in each state. It just might keep you out of jail.