ThePatriot29
New member
I want to carry a fixed blade for defense since being only 18 I can't get a VA carry permit yet. One legal concern though. I'm in Virginia. They've outlawed the carrying of dirks and bowie knives concealed. Virginia case law defines a
A bowie knife, by this definition, would be practically any "tactical" fixed blade knife with one edge, and a dirk any such knife with two edges. If so, what does this mean for an EDC knife?
In my opinion it's better to be tried by 12 then carried by six. I believe that the only way that anyone would know that I had it would be if I had to use it in defense. I am very discrete, don't show off or brag about what I'm carrying or play with a defense knife publicy. If I had to use it in public, it would be in a defensive capacity, in which case I would be either alive and facing a misdemeanor charge possibly in addition to a homicide investigation, or I'd be dead and not really worrying about breaking VA law. Does this make sense?
I'd be carrying it under a suit coat or jacket. I'm a clean cut individual, never in trouble with the law, don't intend to be, don't fit the typical "gang" profile, so I don't think I'd be targeted for a search.
What are the legal consequences of carrying a concealed fixed blade? Also, do you guys consider it worth it to do so, tried by twelve rather than carried by six?
*Definition taken from Richards v. Commonwealth, 18 Va. App. 242, 245, 246 n.2, 443 S.E.2d 177, 179, 179 n.2 (1994)
"'dirk' or weapon of like kind" as "any stabbing weapon having two sharp edges and a point"; and defining "'bowie knife' or weapon of like kind" as "any stabbing weapon having a single sharp edge, a dull or serrated flat edge and a point".
A bowie knife, by this definition, would be practically any "tactical" fixed blade knife with one edge, and a dirk any such knife with two edges. If so, what does this mean for an EDC knife?
In my opinion it's better to be tried by 12 then carried by six. I believe that the only way that anyone would know that I had it would be if I had to use it in defense. I am very discrete, don't show off or brag about what I'm carrying or play with a defense knife publicy. If I had to use it in public, it would be in a defensive capacity, in which case I would be either alive and facing a misdemeanor charge possibly in addition to a homicide investigation, or I'd be dead and not really worrying about breaking VA law. Does this make sense?
I'd be carrying it under a suit coat or jacket. I'm a clean cut individual, never in trouble with the law, don't intend to be, don't fit the typical "gang" profile, so I don't think I'd be targeted for a search.
What are the legal consequences of carrying a concealed fixed blade? Also, do you guys consider it worth it to do so, tried by twelve rather than carried by six?
*Definition taken from Richards v. Commonwealth, 18 Va. App. 242, 245, 246 n.2, 443 S.E.2d 177, 179, 179 n.2 (1994)