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Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

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What knife laws (statutory law) mean is about more than the legislated law in the United States.  Judicial opinions (case law, common law, or judicial precedent) are considered "law" with the same force as statutes.  Here are pertinent case law summaries that provide helpful information on how the court system has handled or decided knife laws in different states.  We include valuable notes for the knife owner.  For attorneys representing knife issues, we offer suggestions from an experienced criminal lawyer.

Please also see articles in Know Your Knife Laws that cover additional case studies or do a search on a case title.

U.S. Supreme Court Case Summary

September 6, 2017

Caetano v. Massachusetts
136 US 1027 (2016)

Heller applies to modern weapons and less lethal weapons as well as handguns.

Massachusetts Court of Appeals Case Summary

September 1, 2017

Commonwealth v. Alem A.
81 Mass. App. Ct. 1101 (2011)

Though Heller was applied to knives in Massachusetts, double-edged knives can still be restricted by law.

California Court of Appeals Case Summary

August 27, 2017

People v. Mitchell
209 Cal. App. 1364 (Cal. Ct. App., decided October 11, 2012)

California’s concealed carry knife law does not require an intent to conceal or intent to harm.

California Supreme Court Case Summary

August 24, 2017

People v. Rubalcava
23 Cal. 4th 322 (2000)

The prohibited weapons statute is a general intent crime and does not require an intent to harm.

Utah Supreme Court Case Summary

August 17, 2017

Salt Lake City v. Miles
2014 UT 47 (2014)

A knife is not ALWAYS a dangerous weapon under Utah law, courts must analyze how it was used or intended to be used.

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