sword carrying in public


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sword carrying in public

QUESTION: Is it possible that I can by law carry a sword around in public for protection means? If so what about concealed swords? (such as cane swords)

P.S. I live in NJ US and am over 18. I know that there are permits that can let me carry a gun around and I don't really know anything about such things with swords... but logically if I can get a permit to carry around a shotgun in public I should be able to get one for swords too right?

(if the thing about where I live or that I'm over 18 is too much info please forgive me)

ANSWER: Hi there,

Well, I am no lawyer, and I do not know the specific laws of your state. But the general rule of thumb is that it isn't a good idea...

There are quite a few groups looking to ban swords, and all they need is a few incidents of people using them for self defence (or worse, offense) and they suddenly have a lot more weight to add to the argument...

A crime scene where someone has been killed by a gun is bad enough, but a sword is a lot bloodier, and using multiple cuts on an attacker may end up getting you charged with murder as prosecution could argue that you willfully tried to kill your opponent, and it isn't self defence anymore...

There is also the fact that bringing a sword to a gun fight is pretty much suicide, so if you can carry a gun for self defence, it is a better option by far - not only for your own survival, but for that for the hobby as a whole.

Take care,

- Paul

Comments for
sword carrying in public

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Jan 17, 2012

Just in case NEW
by: steve

I am a retired police officer and live in Wyoming. I must walk with a cane due to health reasons. I have a concealed weapons permit and at times carry a pistol. I find it re-assuring to have my sword cane with me at all times even when carrying my pistol. It never hurts to have back-up. If something where to happen, I'll take my chances with the courts rather than to be killed on the street.

Dec 07, 2011

answer to: sword carrying in public NEW
by: Adam Pendragon

I have been a medieval historian and sword collector for more than 30 years. I have participated in Medieval/Ren. fairs around the country for around 20 years, and to the best of my knowlege it is illegal to carry a sword, of any kind, for "protection."

And NO--to the best of my knowlage, you can't get a permit to carry one in any state. In most states, laws pertaining to swords are vague at best, except for sword canes and katanas. Until a few years ago, most Legislators never even considered creating laws specifically pertaining to swords, other than sword canes, which are concealed weapons. Over the years, however, movies like Highlander and Kill Bill made the katana very popular, especially with teens and young-twenty somethings. Unfortunately, there have been so many serious injuries accredited to them (most often teens proving their manliness and drunken collage students)in recent years, they've finally caught the Law's attention. Now, many states do address katanas specifically.

As for all other swords, the laws are usually intentionally vague, allowing the police as much discretion as possible. And rightly so.

The problem with wearing a sword for "protection" is this: just by doing so, you are telling the cops and everyone else "Stay back!" that you have every intention of USING this sword to hack someone to pieces if you feel threatened! This, in and of its self, can get you arrested for "possession of an illegal weapon", threatening someone with an illegal weapon (if a passer-by feels threatened by seeing someone with a sword); and, of course, if you're hiding it under your coat (or even if it's in plain view but not obviously recognizable, like some katanas) you can and will be arrested for "possession of a concealed weapon."

By the way, state laws don't always jive with city ordinances. Just because something's legal in your state doesn't mean it's legal in your city.

Personally, I sometimes think it would be fun to wear a sword around, but then, let's face it: Don't you really want to wear a sword around town just so everyone will think you're a badass? If you really feel the need to protect yourself by carrying something more than your fists (this has always worked well for me, and I'm over 50) why don't you just get a gun permit or take karate leasons? Better yet, why don't you just move to a safer neighborhood!

Jul 24, 2011

Awesome idea
by: Anonymous

I think it should be Legal to carry a blade longer than a Bowie Knife IF you can conceal it. Because then its just a big F'ing knife isnt it?
(this is al personal opinion)

Jul 24, 2010

oow about this?
by: Shinta

how might the law apply to sakabatou (reverse blade swords) swords with no sharp edge or wooden swords? you can wield them proficiently without slicing anyone up so might that change anything?

Feb 04, 2008

part 2 of hope this helps
by: b&g miron

- 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)

http://www.knife-expert.com

Feb 04, 2008

hope this is some help
by: b&g miron

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.

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