Thread: Daggers illegal in WA?

Is it legal to own a fixed blade dagger in Washington?

for example, a SOG Daggert?

A clerk at a local gun store insists they are not legal except for LE, but I cannot find anything in the RCWs to confirm that.

Thanks!

At least part of your answer is at
RCW 9.41.250: Dangerous weapons ? Penalty ? Exemption for law enforcement officers.

I'm pretty sure their illegal in most states, if not all. But still it doesn't make sense. They say because daggers are only made for "killing people" or stabbing someone. Well I don't carry a gun to open a soda? So how is it different?

I think about the only knife still legal in washington is a mini Swiss Army knife. That state is a joke and I stay out of it as much as I can. A Ka-Bar is a "fighting knife", how are they legal? Dumb law makers up there....

Originally Posted by twoclones

At least part of your answer is at
RCW 9.41.250: Dangerous weapons ? Penalty ? Exemption for law enforcement officers.

This is the only mention I could find of daggers at all in the RCWs. I checked my city laws and found nothing mentioning daggers. I even tried to find a federal law which mentions daggers (there are none.) The RCW refers to "furtively carrying with the intent to conceal" a dagger. My understanding is that there is a grey area here concerning the legality of carrying a dagger, and the potentially broad definition of "furtiveness" as well as "the intent to conceal." My main concern however, is ownership. The clerk I mentioned before assured me that even owning a double edged knife is illegal, whether it is on your person, in your car, or sitting in your safe at home.

Thanks to all who have responded.

ive heard no double edged knives are allowed in portland city limits,the laws will vary from town to town or state

actually in some legal language it's called a "dirk" not a dagger

Illegal to own or illegal to carry?

If they are illegal to own, they will have to raid a bunch of antique/souvenir shops for their illegal wallhangers...

simple possesion,say in your home i believe is legal.in your vehicle or on person changes things.at that point it becomes a class b misdemenor.up to one year in jail and 10,000 dollar fine if memory serves correct.(in oregon)

There are many medieval reenactment shows that sell daggers, swords, throwing knives, etc in Washington State. I would think there would be SWAT raids going on at everyone of these, yet I have not heard or seen one yet.

Double edged is a no-no in WA.

Originally Posted by John Brown

Double edged is a no-no in WA.

See them being sold all the time in State. Not sure where that's stated in the RCW.

Same as a lot of things. Not illegal to buy. Illegal to carry. You can buy crack pipes too.

Originally Posted by weekendclimber

There are many medieval reenactment shows that sell daggers, swords, throwing knives, etc in Washington State. I would think there would be SWAT raids going on at everyone of these, yet I have not heard or seen one yet.

The above occurred to me as well. The REI near where I live sells a double edged Gerber and they have for a long time. I think I'm good to go on that SOG as long as I keep it at home.

Thanks again for your insights everyone who responded.

how many knives being sold everywhere are actually illegal under WA law!

Any knife that opens with a spring, by wrist flick or gravity is illegal!

RCW 9.41.250
Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.

(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;

(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or

(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm,

is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to:

(a) The possession of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer while the officer:

(i) Is on official duty; or

(ii) Is transporting the knife to or from the place where the knife is stored when the officer is not on official duty; or

(b) The storage of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer.


Deen
NRA Benefactor/Recruiter
WAC member
SWWAC member

I have two sog daggerts, that I bought at the convenience store near my house.
Pretty sure just owning them in wa is not illegal.

Originally Posted by Rix

I have two sog daggerts, that I bought at the convenience store near my house.
Pretty sure just owning them in wa is not illegal.

Too any people miss the point. Its not illegal to OWN them, but if you carry a double edged knife and the police find out, you will be in a bit of trouble. Its the same with automatic knives and balisongs. You can own all you want. Its illegal to carry.

Just a note: A gun forum would be the last place I would look to find information about a knife I carry that might land me in jail.
Way too much hearsay BS.

Originally Posted by John Brown

Too any people miss the point. Its not illegal to OWN them, but if you carry a double edged knife and the police find out, you will be in a bit of trouble. Its the same with automatic knives and balisongs. You can own all you want. Its illegal to carry.

Just a note: A gun forum would be the last place I would look to find information about a knife I carry that might land me in jail.
Way too much hearsay BS.

Title of the thread. First post of thread.
No point missed.

Originally Posted by Rix

Title of the thread. First post of thread.
No point missed.

The title of the thread has this in it: ?

Originally Posted by John Brown

Too any people miss the point. Its not illegal to OWN them, but if you carry a double edged knife and the police find out, you will be in a bit of trouble. Its the same with automatic knives and balisongs. You can own all you want. Its illegal to carry.

Here is the quote from the WA law:
RCW 9.41.250
Dangerous weapons — Penalty — Exemption for law enforcement officers.

(1) Every person who:

(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;

(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or

(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm,

is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2) Subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply to:

(a) The possession of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer while the officer:

(i) Is on official duty; or

(ii) Is transporting the knife to or from the place where the knife is stored when the officer is not on official duty; or

(b) The storage of a spring blade knife by a law enforcement officer.

----------------------------------------------------------

The "Trade Rating" is low by 3
Not everyone posts it I guess.

Deen
NRA Benefactor/Recruiter
WAC member
SWWAC member