Knife laws of Ohio?

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

It seems to be illegal to carry and 'deadly weapon' or 'dangerous ordanance' unless you think you will be attacked (at least that is how I interepreted it). However, it defines deadly weapon as anything that can be used to inflict injury or death, or is specifically designed to do so.

Hell, you can kil someone with a Bic pen no problem. Where do knives figure into this? Also, what about carrying a 3" blade lockback folding knife, carried around because it's a conveniant tool to have? Not for defensive purposes really , but for opening packages, and just as an emergency preparedness tool?

[MeDeMax]

1. this link may be helpful ...

http://www.packing.org/state/ohio/

Site is about CCW but briefly touches on knifes, if you need to carry a knife and you aren't sure if it is legal based
on the length, call your local police dept and find out if an officer would have the time to answer your question...
seems easy enough...I have their non-emergency number on my speedial :-)

[Bitwit1234]

2. How do you know....

when and if you will be attacked. That's a silly statement. A person can be walking into church and be attacked, and then they could be walking in SE DC and be perfectly safe. So how do you know when and where.

[Kolesar]

3. What is the context of this conundrum?

Welcome to the Ohio forum, Anarchist :hi: and Bitwit1234 :hi:

[seriousstan]

4. Ohio law....

Ohio's knife laws are very vague and the links below are lacking in detail. Its important to realize that each individual municipality or local government can enact more strict restrictions on knives.

§ 2923.11. Definitions. As used in sections 2923.11 to 2923.24 of the Revised Code

(J) "Ballistic knife" means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.

§ 2923.12. Carrying concealed weapons.

(A) No person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on his or her person or concealed ready at hand, any deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance.

§ 2923.20. Unlawful transaction in weapons.

(A) No person shall:
(3) Manufacture, possess for sale, sell, or furnish to any person other than a law enforcement agency for authorized use in police work, any brass knuckles, cestus, billy, blackjack, sandbag, switchblade knife, springblade knife, gravity knife, or similar weapon;

1974 Committee Comment to H 511
An ordinary pocket knife that is not possessed, carried or used as a weapon is not a "deadly weapon" under RC § 2923.11(A)

I have always heard any blade under 6" was legal.

[mosin]

5. Ohio knife laws

There's no specific length rule in Ohio, either by statute nor by case law. You're generally OK in Ohio carrying any folding knife of reasonable length, even concealed, as long as you don't use it as a weapon. Once you use it as a weapon, then it is a "weapon." Even a baseball bat, carried under a long coat will be a concealed weapon, if it is actually used as a weapon.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

6. So it sounds to me like you can can have most of that crap under (A)(3) , just not

make, sell, (carry?), or use them?