Airports aren’t the only place you need to think about carefully checking your Knives. Certain types of knives are illegal in some states.

Some States are More Restrictive Than Others

Colorado, for example, is a relatively Restrictive state for carrying knives. Any blade over three and a half inches must be carried openly, not concealed. You may be needing bail bonds Denver County CO if you stick a four inch lockback in your pants pocket, even if it’s a traditional pocketknife and not a tactical weapon in any normal sense of the word.

Some Knives Are More Likely To Be an Issue

There is a lot of misinformation out there surrounding certain types or styles of knife. People often refer to the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958, but this legislation is complex and has been misinterpreted in many ways. Most “spring-assisted” designs are legal in most situations. That said, you should check your state laws more carefully if you live in a state with restrictive knife laws.

Some Places Won’t Let You Carry a Knife

Everyone thinks about the airport and TSA , but there are many other places where knives are not allowed. Some federal buildings, especially courthouses, don’t allow knives on the premises. Local and county courthouses often have the same policy. Sports venues have bans on many items, including knives. Many hospital emergency departments have similar rules. Obviously, schools do not allow knives to be carried by students, but you are likely to be in violation of their rules even as a visitor. Some places make these policies obvious with signage and/or a security checkpoint with a metal detector, but others don’t.

It’s a good idea to check the laws and be familiar with them. For most of us a knife is simply a tool, but their potential use as a weapon makes them highly restricted in some areas.