Does Carrying Bowie Knives Require a Permit?

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Does Carrying Bowie Knives Require a Permit?

Before you purchase that bowie knife, you might have a few questions that you want answered. One of the most frequently asked questions about these knives is whether or not you need a permit to own one. Do you have to have a permit if you keep your bowie knife at home? Do you need a permit if you will use it on a hunting trip? These questions are vital, but the answers might be far from enlightening.

First, you do not need a permit to own a bowie knife. You can own such a knife and keep it in your home wherever you might wish. This is your legal right under the law. However, should you choose to take your knife outside of your home, you will find that things become a bit different. Before you strap that bowie knife to your hip and venture out to the hardware store, it's best that you do a little bit of online research. Different states have very different laws governing what knives can be taken into public and whether or not you need to have a license.

In most states, you do not need a license to carry a knife, unless you plan to carry it concealed on your body. For instance, the state of Arizona allows you to conceal your bowie knife on your person in public, so long as you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. That said, some states take a very dim view of bowie knives and other large knives. Take Washington DC for example: you cannot carry any knife over 3 inches long, whether concealed or in the open. Therefore, you need to check with your state's laws before you take your knife out in public.

Take Arizona for example. Arizona state law allows you to carry bowie knives on your person in public, so long as the knife is not concealed (concealed carry requires a permit). However, the laws of many Arizona counties and cities prohibit the carrying of these knives, as well as many other weapons. Therefore, you should check the laws of your local area (a quick call to the sheriff's office will suffice in most cases).

By informing yourself ahead of time regarding your rights involving bowie knives, you can stay on the good side of the law and enjoy the use of these tools. You should also ensure that you follow any laws governing the carrying of bowie knives in your vehicle, as well.