http://www.cleverscampcamp.com/bowie-knife/
Is it illegal to have a Bowie knife in Maryland? To carry a Bowie knife?
I have a Bowie knife with an eight and a half inch blade on it, is it legal to carry it while I hike in the woods of Maryland?
A bowie knife is considered a “Weapon” under Maryland’s Criminal Code Title 4-101:
(5) (i) “Weapon” includes a dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife, star knife, sandclub, metal knuckles, razor, and nunchaku.
(c) Prohibited.- (1) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person.
HOWEVER, note that big word “concealed” in the above that Artman missed. It is only illegal to carry a “weapon” concealed on or about the person. If you carry a weapon such as a Bowie knife openly or stored inside a box or backpack, it is no longer considered concealed and is therefore legal. This specific issue was addressed in the high court case Polk v. Maryland, 2007. The defendant had a bowie knife in his car, and he was found innocent because the police failed to prove he had it concealed because they could clearly see it while outside his car. I also had the privilege of auditing a case recently where a young man had two fixed blades on his belt (shorter than yours, I admit) and his was thrown out before trial and the police officer reprimanded because he could not prove the knives were “bowie knives” and because the young man had no criminal intentions (he was just an art teacher who used them for carving). He had them concealed, and still his case was dismissed.
So in short: Yes you can own them. Yes you can carry then openly. Do not carry them concealed.
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie Knife: Demonstration & Review, pt 1
|
|
Knives and Swords (Paperback) $10.69 Whether it`s the short gladius of the Roman Legionary or the North American Bowie knife, Knives and Swords looks at more than three hundred of the most important sharp-edged weapons from the last five thousand years. Learn all about le… |