Specifically I'm wondering how legal it is for me to have my sword on me when I go to training or just to destroy stuff in my friends yard both of whick require me to travel through a substancial part of town. I live in Bozeman MT if that helps, also if it doesn't I still live there.
2006-08-09 05:02:56 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Just call and ask your local sheriff or chief of police. Laws vary from state to state. Most likely it is considered a deadly weapon and therefore illegal, but just like taking a gun to a pistol range, there are legitimate exceptions. Getting to know your local law enforcement community is not a bad idea if you are going to be doing this, that way they know you, and aren't surprized when they pull you over for a routine traffic stop and find you have a sword with you. You might even find some cops who'd like to work out with you. That is, of course, considering that you're a law-abiding citizen that's not into certain, ah, recreational intoxicants of the vegetable matter type...
2006-08-09 05:17:57 · answer #1 · answered by rumplesnitz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of those situations where there is the letter of the law and the intent of the law. What it really boils down to is what you are doing when/if you get stopped and whether or not the cop is a jerk. Always be polite and don't give an officer any reason to escalate (even if you think s/he is an @$$hole).
I fence - Should my fencing bag ever be searched it is obvious that the contents are sporting equipment, not weapons.
I do a Tai-Chi sword form - A bit harder to explain since I use a real sharpened "combat steel" sword. However, the presence of other wooden weapons gives weight to the sporting equipment explanation.
My wife belly dances and uses a sword as a prop - We were stopped on the way into a local festival where she was dancing. It took a bit of talking, but the cop ultemately accepted that the sword was a theatrical prop rather than a weapon. The belly dance attire, zills, etc... helped with the believability of the story.
2006-08-09 05:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about the laws in Montana, but every other state I have lived in (Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Texas) has had a law against carrying any type of weapon with a blade that exceeds 12 inches on your person, even if you're on your way to martial arts training or whatever. Nothing illegal about training with a sword or using it on residential property to hack things up, but I'd advise you to put it in the trunk of your car until you get where you're going and THEN take it out.
2006-08-09 05:09:06 · answer #3 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well in california it's legal to have a knife if the blade is not more than 3" long. If you're carrying a sword in your car I would lock it inside the trunk when the police can't see it. When I would go out shooting with friends we would always place our guns in the trunk so as to avoid a hassle with the police should we be stopped. You don't want to get pulled over and have the police see a weapon laying on the back seat of your car.
2006-08-09 05:12:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blades are usually govern by local laws. Most state a blade cannot be longer than 3". This will make most pocket knives acceptable but weed out any that can really do some damage. In my town this applies to ANY knife be it out in the open or concealed as long as it is outside of the house (property) it is considered in public.
2006-08-09 05:09:42 · answer #5 · answered by butnozzle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the state and local laws.
For going to training, what I do is put the weapon in a carrying case (a gun case tends to work well for most such weapons). That way, it's obviously not out and ready to be used as a weapon.
As for destroying stuff in your friend's yard, do you realize that damages the weapon, don't you? But same answer as for transport.
2006-08-09 05:06:36 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the state and I do not know MT state law but
I would presume that you would have no problem carrying
a sheathed sword through the middle of town in your vehicle, especially in the trunk.
2006-08-09 05:09:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard the blade cannot be longer than your hand, but that could just be in California
2006-08-09 05:09:29 · answer #8 · answered by Mz Bree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must wear them in plain sight, dangling from your belt. Scabbards must be oiled.
2006-08-09 05:08:14 · answer #9 · answered by bicpenitentary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋