Knife legislation

Knife legislation is defined as the body of statutory law or case law promulgated or enacted by a government or other governing jurisdiction that prohibits, criminalizes, or restricts the otherwise legal manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, possession, transport, or use of knives.Legislation, Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, retrieved 20 August 2011

Carrying knives in public is forbidden or restricted by law in many countries. Exceptions may be made for hunting knives, pocket knives, and knives used for work-related purposes (chef's knives, etc.), depending upon the laws of a given jurisdiction. In turn, the carrying or possessing of certain types of knives perceived as deadly or offensive weapons, such as switchblade knives and butterfly knives, may be restricted or prohibited. Even where knives may be legally carried on the person generally, this right may not extend to all places and circumstances, and knives of any description may be prohibited at schools, public buildings, courthouses, and public events.

Austria

Under the Austrian Arms Act of 1996 (Waffengesetz 1996), it is illegal to buy, import, possess, or carry weapons that are disguised as another object or as an object of common use (sword canes, e.g., or knives disguised as ink pens, brush handles, or belt buckles).Waffengesetz 1996 § 17 (1): "Verboten sind der Erwerb, die Einfuhr, der Besitz, und das Führen: 1. von Waffen, deren Form geeignet ist, einen anderen Gegenstand vorzutäuschen, oder die mit Gegenständen des täglichen Gebrauches verkleidet sind." For ordinary knives, however, there are no restrictions or prohibitions based on blade length or opening or locking mechanism.Waffengesetz (1996)

The Arms Act defines weapons as "objects that by their very nature are intended to reduce or eliminate the defensive ability of a person through direct impact", specifically including all firearms. Consequently, certain knives are considered "weapons" under this definition. Except for firearms, however, which are heavily regulated, such "weapons", including automatic opening lock-blade knives (switchblades), OTF automatic knives, butterfly knives, and gravity knivesJell, Sonja (Magistra) Weapons Law: Knives in Austria are implicitly permitted under the Arms Act, and thus may be bought, possessed and carried by anyone over the age of 18Waffengesetz (1996) § 11. (1) Der Besitz von Waffen, Munition und Knallpatronen ist Menschen unter 18 Jahren verboten. who has not been expressly banned from owning any weapon (Waffenverbot) by the civilian authorities.Waffengesetz 1996 § 12. (1) Die Behörde hat einem Menschen den Besitz von Waffen und Munition zu verbieten (Waffenverbot), wenn bestimmte Tatsachen die Annahme rechtfertigen, daß dieser Mensch durch mißbräuchliches Verwenden von Waffen Leben, Gesundheit oder Freiheit von Menschen oder fremdes Eigentum gefährden könnte.

Belgium

Article 3, §1 of the 2006 Weapons ActL'Article 3 §1 La Loi du 08.06.2006, Service Public Fédéral Justice (2008), retrieved 27 August 2011 lists the switchblade or automatic knife (couteaux à cran d'arrêt et à lame jaillissante), as well as butterfly knives, throwing knives, throwing stars, and knives or blades that have the appearance of other objects (i.e. sword canes, belt buckle knives, etc.) as prohibited weapons.Nouvelle Loi sur les Armes, retrieved 27 August 2011 In addition to specifically prohibited knives, the police and local jurisdictions have broad authority to prohibit the carrying or possession of a wide variety of knives, to include carriage inside a vehicle, if the owner cannot establish sufficient legal reason (motif légitime) for doing so, particularly in urban areas or at public events. This discretion extends to even folding knives without a locking blade.

Bulgaria

Bulgarian weapon law is maintained annually. It is called ZOBVVPI (Bulgarian: ЗОБВВПИ; Закон за оръжията, боеприпасите, взривните вещества и пиротехническите изделия) and it covers ONLY the possession and usage of firearms (including gas and signal ones), and pellet or BB (Bulgarian: сачми) pneumatic guns. A state regulation on melee weapons of any kind does not exist, whether knives, swords, bats, or electric devices. No juridical definition of "melee weapon" or "cold weapon" exists in any Bulgarian law. Hence, it is legal in Bulgaria to possess and carry a knife without providing any reason. Concealed knife carry is OK, anywhere and anytime.

Although there are no restrictions on possessing or carrying any type of knife or sword, it is not widely accepted or considered appropriate to carry a knife openly in public places such as streets or public buildings, stores, or restaurants. In urban areas, if a police officer sees open carrying of a larger knife, even if there is a legal right to do so, one can expect an instant check and hassle. From a societal point of view, the open carry of knives in Bulgaria is justified only in rural areas, when fishing or hunting, or when the knife serves as a tool in work activities, such as gardening. Some places like courts, banks, clubs, bars, etc. will deny one access to any weapon (knives included), and most do not offer a safekeeping option.

As it is an urban legend in Bulgaria that knives above are illegal to carry, police encourage carriers to surrender such knives voluntarily. Advocacy groups suggest that carriers instead state the purpose of "daily needs", "utility usage", or "self-defense" for carrying, and clarify the lack of crime. Requesting citation of an applicable (though nonexistent) law against such knife carrying often results in one keeping the knife and being issued a "warning". Otherwise, requesting police contact their superior officer often results in one retaining the knife. Some city councils issue acts to limit knife lengths above though such acts are considered illegal and with no compliance force since the councils have only administrative functions and no jurisdiction to invent or impose any laws.

Although Bulgaria is very liberal in terms of knife carrying and possession compared to many other countries, one needs to be familiar with the law regarding self-defense beforehand, whether defending oneself or others, with or without a weapon.

Canada

There is no law banning the carrying in public of knives with sheaths, knives that take both hands to open, and any knife with a fixed blade and certain non-prohibited folding knives, if they are not carried for a purpose that poses a danger to public peace or to commit a criminal offense.Fixed Blade & Folding Knife Law in Canada retrieved October 2021.

The Canadian Criminal Code criminalizes the possession of knives that open automatically. Section 84(1) defines "a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device attached to or in the handle of the knife" as a prohibited weapon. Only persons who have been granted exemption by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police through the Canadian Firearms Program are allowed to possess (but not acquire) prohibited weapons.

If a person is found in unauthorized possession of a prohibited knife by any law enforcement officer, the person is liable to a maximum of 5 years in jail and the weapon being seized. The Crown can then apply to a Provincial Court judge for the weapon to be forfeited and destroyed. The import and export of prohibited weapons is also strictly regulated and enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency.Canada Border Services Agency: Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada.

Examples of prohibited knives include: any knife, including a switchblade, or butterfly knife with a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife; Constant Companion (belt-buckle knife); finger rings with blades or other sharp objects projecting from the surface; push daggers.Canada Border Services Agency: Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada – Prohibited Weapons and Devices

Manually-opened or 'one-handed' opening knives, including spring-assisted knives, that do not fall within the categories listed as prohibited weapons definition are legal to own and use, however importation of many of these items has been banned by the CBSA.Canada Border Services Agency, Customs Notice 18-01, Notification of Canadian International Trade Tribunal Decision on Centrifugal Opening Knives

There is no length restriction on carrying knives within the Criminal Code. Still, there is a prohibition against carrying a knife if the possessor intends to carry it for a purpose dangerous to public peace or to commit a criminal offense.

China

Due to concerns about potential violence at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China began restricting "dangerous knives", requiring that purchasers register with the government when purchasing these knives. Included in the new restrictions are knives with "blood grooves", lockblade knives, knives with blades measuring over in length, and knives with blades over in length also having a point angle of less than 60 degrees.

Czech Republic

Czech weapon law from the year 2002 concerns firearms only, with no other legislation concerning knives in existence (except the paragraphs of the penal code penalizing the use of any weapons in criminal offenses). This means there are no restrictions on the possession or carrying of any types of knives or swords, whether openly or in a concealed manner.

Denmark

Owning a knife:

Legal knives: In Denmark, folding knives (pocket knives) and fixed-blade knives are legal to own, if the blade is no longer than . Blades over this length may only be legally owned if the possessor has a legitimate reason for owning the knife (knives for cooking at home, the knife used as a tool, an especially designed knife for hunting, a butcher's knife, and so on) or a special collector's permit.

Illegal knives: All knives with automatic-opening (switchblades), push daggers, gravity knives, disguised knives (belt-buckle knife, sword cane, etc.), knives with two-parted handles (butterfly knives), knives with ready access by the wearer (neck or belt knives, boot knives, etc.) are illegal to own or possess.Lang, Oliver, Messer in Europa: Mit Dem Messer Auf Reisen, Übersicht – Messer & Recht im Ausland, Messer Magasin (March 2010) Owning throwing knives and throwing in private or public is subject to permissions.European Throwing Association "Flying Blades", Legal Situation of Knife Throwing in Denmark, retrieved October 2014.

Carrying a knife: Generally, you can carry a knife if you have a legitimate reason. used for work (artisans' tools) used for accepted leisure activities, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, sailing, outdoor picnic, scouting, or other accepted leisure activities.

The knife should be appropriate for the task – a hunting knife only for hunting, and a boy scout cannot carry a butcher's knife – also you have to convincingly prove to the police, that you are on your way to an accepted leisure activity (no good to claim that you are going on a picnic, if you do not carry food, beverage and a blanket for it). The knife should be carried directly to and from the activity.

Carrying a knife is an aggravated illegal activity in nightlife, as a spectator at sports events, during demonstrations, and mass gatherings – such as concerts/festivals, and other situations where you are likely to be drunk/intoxicated or excited. Schools and public transportation are generally no-go, unless you have a legitimate reason. Carrying an illegal knife in public is a very severe offence