Legal questions about knives.

[slateman]

I was just wondering at what length a knife becomes illegal. I need a knife for work, but I don't want the police to pull it out and say that they're going to arrest me for an illegal weapon.

Does anyone know off the top of their head?

P.S. I live in Virginia

[jdev]

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/va.txt

Virginia - 18.2-308. Carrying concealed weapons... A. If any
person carries about his person, hidden from common
observation... (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade
knife, ballistic knife, razor... he shall be guilty of a
Class 1 misdemeanor, and such weapon shall be forfeited to
the Commonwealth... B. This section shall not apply to: 1.
Any person while in his own place of abode or the
curtilage thereof... 4. Any regularly enrolled member of a
weapons collecting organization who is at, or going to or
from, a bona fide weapons exhibition, provided that the
weapons are... securely wrapped while being transported.
5. Any person carrying such weapons between his place of
abode and a place of purchase or repair, provided the
weapons are.. securely wrapped while being transported...
D. Any person may apply in writing... for a two-year
permit to carry a specific type of concealed weapon...
- 18.2-309. Furnishing certain weapons to minors.--If any
person sell, barter, give or furnish... to any minor a...
dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife... such person
shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
- 18.2-311. Prohibiting the selling or having in possession
blackjacks, etc. -- If any person sells or barters, or
exhibits for sale or for barter, or gives or furnishes,
or causes to be sold, bartered, given or furnished, or
has in his possession, or under his control, with the
intent of selling, bartering, giving or furnishing, any
blackjack, brass or metal knucks, any disc of whatever
configuration having at least two points or pointed
blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and
which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart,
switchblade knife, ballistic knife, or like weapons,
such person shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.
The having in one's possession of any such weapon shall
be prima facie evidence, except in the case of a
conservator of the peace, of his intent to sell, barter,
give or furnish the same.

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