Hypothetical Question: Could I be charged with carrying a concealed weapon?
It depends on your state laws. But I used to work for a store. Box cutters was my thing. I had a bunch of them. In my pocketbook, in my smock, wherever. I was told that if I got caught with them out in public I would be in trouble. Even a coupon clipper in your possession could get you into trouble nowadays. Even though you don’t intend to use it for violent purposes, you are still displaying a weapon for someone else to use. Ya gotta be real careful. If you got a cop that was a real stickler then you might be in sad shape. I had to go to a court building recently and I found one in my purse. If they had found it I would have been held for possession of a deadly weapon. It had worked it’s way deep into my wallet. I didn’t even know it was there. When I got home and searched my pocketbook I ended up with 3 of them in my possession. I don’t even want to know what would have happened.
The crime “carrying a concealed weapon” is a strict liability crime which means that “intent” is not required. The crime is like speeding – whether you intended to speed is not relevant for conviction. All that is required is that you were speeding period. So in your case the critical issue is whether the “Stanley – type knife” is a weapon under the statute in your jurisdiction. We know a handgun would undoubtedly be – but when it comes to knives there is a whole slew of them that don’t (by jurisdiction). For example many “folding knives” (and never switch blades) are not considered weapons for purposes of the statute b/c they are considered “tools” no different than a screwdriver or hammer. And though someone walking down the street with a hammer might pique the curiousity of a police officer, it cannot be said they are breaking the law. So visit the website for your geographical area (state and municipal) and find the law in your area and see if the type of knife you carry is conside
I think it’s fairly clear that it’s not concealed. I’ve never had a problem w. carrying one. Make sure you don’t carry it onto federal property though. Concealment is not a factor though. The fact that it’s a utility knife probably won’t keep the officer from considering it a weapon. At least, not here in Washington DC. Be careful if you wear baggy clothes though. Had a friend who was carrying a knife visibly in his boot, but he was wearing baggy cammos. An officer in our town notorious for harassing us punks used that as an excuse to label it concealed and arrested my friend.
