Is it legal to own a pocket knife that is 4 inches in nyc, in your home?

Question

i am thinking of ordering a knife, it is a manual operating pocket knife, but the blade is 4 inches, is it legal to order it online and be shipped into nyc?

Answer 1

i think the limit is 4" and you can carry it on your person as long as its fully-concealed. but please check to be sure

Answer 2

Who cares you have a right to bare arms.

Answer 3

no because the law says that it can't be longer than y'r hand if it is then i would say no.Check out the law for y'r state and then make a consions desicion.

Answer 4

Owning a knife in your home is somewhat twitchy in NY.  Most other state laws have to do with concealed possession on your person while in public, but NY simply says "possesses any [insert weapon here]."  So you take the risk into your own hands owning one, though being caught is no very likely in your home unless you or some other occupant commit some other crime.  That being said, if it is a utility knife, some exceptions apply (kitchen knifes are large fixed blades after all, and are not illegal.

New York City has as 4" blade limit (worded as "4 inches or greater"), so not only does it seem like your knife would be illegal, but that is ON TOP of NY state law.

New York State is a "judgement call" state with regards to knives, meaning that a knife is illegal if its appearance suggests that is it intended to be used as a weapon. This judgement is first made by a policeman who sees it, who may then arrest you, and then the judge would take a look at it and make his or her own conclusion.

Here is a caselaw that spells it out:

"Whether a 'knife' is a 'dangerous knife' may be determined on the basis of three alternative considerations: one, its own characteristics which show that it is primarily intended for use as a weapon; second, a modification, which converts what would otherwise be a utensil into a weapon; and third, the circumstances of the possession which may reveal that the possessor considers it a weapon and not a utilitarian tool." - Matter of Jamie D., 59 NY2d 589 (1983).

Many online retailers will not ship to places where the item being sold is illegal, so it's hard to say whether you would even be able to order one.  Check you store's policy page.  If you do find a knife retailer that will ship the knife you want to NY, it will probably arrive, though again it's taking the risk into your own hands.

Answer 5

I live in nyc and no its not...In fact take a good look around you..Most ppl here carry knifes...True! Im not trying to make my city sound scary but alot of ppl here carry knifes..Especially woman so dont sweat it

Answer 6

If it's in your home of course.  I don't think you can carry it around outside your house though.