Switchblades: Someone help me out?

@AmbiePam (84663)
United States
December 10, 2009 7:40pm CST
So I want a switchblade for when I walk my dog at night. I told my dad this (I figured of all the people I knew, he was the most likely to know where to get one) and he said he wasn't sure if they were legal. So I just looked it up, and in my state it is legal to own one, but not to carry one. What?! So what good is a possession of one, if I'm not allowed to carry it? It's different in almost all of the United States according to this chart I found. Anybody have any ideas why it's like this? Mace won't cut it with me. I think that would just incite someone to get angrier with me. Anyone own a switchblade? If anyone saw me with a switchblade anyway, I'm pretty sure they would fall down laughing. I don't "look" like a switchblade person. But hey, a person has to adpat to where they live!
4 people like this
17 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Dec 09
That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard that one can own a switchblade but not carry one around for protection. How about one of those old-fashioned type swiss-army knifes? Are they legal to carry? It would serve the same purpose I think
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
As far as I know Swiss army knives are fine to own. I looked up New York and it isn't legal to buy or carry a switchblade.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Dec 09
LOL--you don't know NY very well...a LOT of people carry switchblades around here
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
11 Dec 09
Are you allowed to have a machete? I have one that is freshly sharpened and will be willing to send it to you!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
12 Dec 09
I think you might need that for some of your clients!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
12 Dec 09
But I am willing to lend you
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Dec 09
hi ambiepam oh I would be so afraid if I carried a switchblade that the attacker would grab it away from me and cut me with it.' I was young and naive at twenty.working as a nurses aide all day, I often went to the laundromat to wash myclothes in the evening. this young mexican guy came in and waved a knife at me,demanding all my money. that was a laugh as I had exactly fifty cents as I had spent all my change on the washers and the dryers. it made me so angry that I just stepped in between his arms, and stomped hard on his feet. He screamed , dropped the knife and hopped around yelling in spanish. a police car saw the incident, stopped got out and asked me what happened. I pointed to the knife, i said I just stepped hard on his feet and he started acting so bizarre. the officer grinned, then arrested him for attempted assault and theft. seems the poor idiot had two ingrown toenails. the officer told me that I had taken an awful chance because if he had not had painful feet to start out with he would have overpowered me and probably have stabbed me. i was just glad to get out in one piece. no I sure would not want a switchblade.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
You're one tough cookie!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I think that the laws for some states are so silly and very outdated of course we see so many of these sites that list the laws, and I don't necessarily believe all of the laws, as most of them are silly. In any case, I don't know what the law is for NC... I think that most likely you can own one but not carry one as they are dangerous, and maybe your state sees them more as a collectible, then anything? Same as a sword, now it seems to be more of a collectible other then those who fence for sport.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I looked up North Carolina. It is legal to possess a switchblade, AND to carry one, as long as it is NOT concealed. Who the heck wants everyone to know they are carrying a switchblade?
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
11 Dec 09
So it is legal to possess one but just not to keep it concealed? We have to keep it out in the open... That's just stupid.
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
11 Dec 09
AmbiePam, this is a very serious issue and I wish you would reconsider carrying a kiife when you walk your dog at night. Using a knife for defense forces you to get close to the person who is a danger to you, which is something self defense experts suggest you try not to do, and it can easily be taken away and used on you. I have a small canister of pepper spray that can be clipped to a belt or a key chain. It has a trigger and it's range is pretty far. I don't remember how far since I've had it for years, but the comes out as a wide spray and not a thin stream. This is your safest option since you can keep your distance and it will give you time to get away. As for switchblades, I believe the logic behind not being permitted to carry it is because it is a weapon. It serves no other purpose, where a hunting knife is essentially used for hunting and fishing.
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I'm not going to get one. Like I said, I can't legally carry one. And I'm not going to break the law. Well, okay I speed occasionally, but a driving infraction isn't the same as breaking the law with a knife. tee hee I don't feel like I'm in any big danger, I guess it is about making myself feel better? But perhaps Mace really would work. The thing is, I'm so physically messed up, that if someone did attack me, I wouldn't stand a chance. I have had way too many surgeries. And I would feel horrible if something happened to my dog.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
12 Dec 09
It sounds like pepper spray or mace would be your best option then. I believe they also make a personal panic alarm...like a car alarm...that you can carry with you, too. They're supposed to be very loud but I can't remember where I saw them. I know what you mean about feeling more confident. I originally bought that pepper spray to carry with me when I worked late and had to walk to my car in a dark parking lot. I never once felt that I needed to use it but having it made me feel more prepared and secure.
2 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Hi Ambie! The only problem with switchblades it that you have to get close enough to use them, and then they would only work with one person at a time. Mace, or pepper spray can be effectively used from a distance farther than you'd have to be to use a knife. I've read that wasp sprays are good too, and work from even a greater distance. If your heart is set on a switchblade, you might call the police department for clarification on the laws. Maybe it's only illegal to carry it if it's concealed? Do any organizations in town here offer any classes for women for self-protection? That's also a good idea if there are any. If, heaven forbid, you ARE attacked and disarmed...what do you do then?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Pray they kill me quickly and don't linger? Okay, not funny, but....
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Switchblades have been a no no for a many years almost 50 years I think altho I used to have one. Now think about a hunting knife ya can strap to your side!
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
11 Dec 09
get a can of wasp and hornet spray - switchblades are illegal because they are the close in weapon of choice for gang members
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
11 Dec 09
do you remember West Side Story? Gangs in the 50's carried switchblades, and they were a BIG DEAL in New York - so they were outlawed there Arizona - not so much...
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
They are also legal to own and carry in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Utah, and several others. But the most surprising place where it is legal to own AND carry a switchblade is Florida. They have just as many gangs as New York. What with Miami alone...
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
12 Dec 09
hun, believe me, gangs who did knives are a thing of the past - gang problems in south Florida were always packing pistols and really the Cuban gangs weren't a big deal in the 1950's - heck, gangs really didn't exist on the West Coast then either.... Gangs armed with firepower started in the 60's thru 80's and switchblades fell out of favor - that's why places that have gang trouble now don't make them illegal... trust me, you don't want to let a gang member get close enough to use a knife on them, because they'll take it away - go for the wasp spray
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
11 Dec 09
You need to contact your local law enforcement agency to see what the laws are and what you have to do get a concealed weapons permit. (That's most likely why it is considered illegal to carry one, is that they consider it a concealed weapon) You almost might want to consider training. A weapon like that can be extremely dangerous dear if you don't know how to use it. It could easily be taken away from you and then you'd be much worse off than you were in the first place. A better idea over all would be to look into self defense classes. Mace is not a bad idea, but you need to be able to defend yourself after rendering them helpless for a few minutes!
2 people like this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
14 Dec 09
Sorry, so long to answer, dear Ambie! But I truly have trouble digesting this, as I am so afraid that you will be carrying a weapon (deadly) that can be used on you! My fear, is that person's whom would be out there, to harm you, are person's that are much more experienced in "knife weilding" than YOU are! It's a way of life for them! And my fears are even greater, because of your operations and your lack of agility. Many, many communities offer "programs" of self-defense for women and I am wondering if you could pursue that. I understand the peril that you are facing...and the alternative would be that you modify your behaviour, and do your walks in the daylight....your "furry friend" will understand. Truly, I fear for you, with a weapon that could be turned on you! HUGZ, dear girl!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
15 Dec 09
Your comments are more than fine! I actually do walk my dog in the daylight. Usually I take him to my parent's home to run around because any kind of walking now is hard on me. That way he'll get plenty of exercise, and won't need to go out so much at night. But I really should be taking him out once at night to go to the bathroom. And he always has to walk around the complex before he goes his #2. However, I am working on getting him to just do his "duty" on a puppy pad. So that way at night I won't have to take him out at all.
1 person likes this
• Canada
14 Dec 09
Sorry for being repetitive here, all my discussions come in on "Outlook Express" so don't get to read other comments before I respond.
1 person likes this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
12 Dec 09
Switchblades are illegal to carry anywhere, as far as I know. Carry a small can of red spray paint (mini can), in your pocket, keep your hand on it. It is as effective as mace but marks them, too, when you get it in their face.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
12 Dec 09
That's what my dad thought. So I looked it up and found a chart that listed the rules for all 50 states. Surprisingly, it is legal own AND carry a switchblade in many states. By the way, how are you? I haven't seen any of your discussions lately.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Hey Ambie~ I really don't think that having a switchblade is such a great idea! First of all if you do have one you had better be sure that you know how to use it and use it fast because chances are your alledged attacker will take it away from you before you even get the chance to try! Mace, however if used correctly and sprayed in ones eyes will burn like hell and blind someone enough so that you can run like like hell and scream your lungs out while running! Years ago when we were having some "trouble" in my neighborhood me and my girlfriend/ neighbor would both take large pieces of wood, which looked like bats with us and if anyone even dared look at us wrong we just showed them our bats and they never bothered us! I would carry some sort of object like that or a tire iron! It is a bit easier to swing something then to try to stab someone! You have to be really close and fast and know what you're doing to use a switchblade! I still keep my trusty weapon by the front door and one right under my side of the bed just in case! (And I let my boyfriend know it too)!
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Dec 09
As far as I know it is illegal to carry a switchblade in Australia too. I can appreciate why you would want to have on you because it is infuriating that a woman can’t go out on her own whenever she pleases due to safety issues! I’m not sure if I would want a knife though and whether I would ever be capable of using one! Have you considered a good self defence class, pepper spray and a personal alarm? Those things may be better and less gruesome than a knife except the self defence,that could get nasty if anyone messes with us!
2 people like this
@jambi462 (4576)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Well if you're still looking for a switch blade or a weapon similar to that I would recommed going to a pawn shop. You can virtually find anything there plus they have amazing deals.
2 people like this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
11 Dec 09
Just dropping in to say Hi. I'm WAY behind on my friends posts. Sorry for the generic comment.
1 person likes this
@gersheb (22)
• United States
11 Dec 09
If u had a big dog u would not need a switch blade.
@AmbiePam (84663)
• United States
11 Dec 09
In my apartment complex, it is not permitted for us to own large dogs. I would love to get a big dog, but for right now, I am not allowed to.
@gersheb (22)
• United States
11 Dec 09
If u had a big dog u would not need a switch blade.