Article by Dylan Sabot
Bowie knives are weapons according to the laws of most states. While carrying smaller knives, even sheath knives, may not garner much attention, a Bowie will almost always get noticed. Whether or not it is actually legal to carry such a knife will depend on where one lives and the exact laws that apply. It will also greatly depend upon whether or not one is on private or federal property.
Knives, however, particularly large ones such as Bowie knives, are not smiled upon in all settings. In some situations, they are downright illegal. One must always know for certain where they stand legally before carrying a knife into any public place. There are some general rules that one can follow to make sure they don't run afoul of the law. One should also exercise simple good manners, as well. For instance, while a fine dining establishment may not specifically prohibit weapons, they're likely not smiled upon at the establishment and can be left in the car.
Federal property is always off-limits. Never carry Bowie knives into post offices, court houses or onto any other official property. Schools and hospitals are always off-limits, as well. Even though American society allows individuals to bear arms, it is easy to see why society has declared such areas to be weapon-free zones. On private property, make sure that the owner has no prohibitions on weapons before entering. This is polite and good practice for following the law.
Bowie knives will be restricted in some cities by local ordinances. In many cases, these ordinances will be based on blade length. Usually, they permit the carry of any knife 3 inches or shorter in blade length, which is too short to reach the heart on a human being. A Bowie knife will always violate such ordinances, so make sure to be aware if they're on the books in any given city. Oftentimes, all it takes is a simple phone call to find out for sure. Ignorance of the law will not prevent one from being charged for violating it!
Many individuals make some mistaken assumptions about carrying laws. Where Bowie knives are concerned, one may be under federal, state, city or private obligations at any time. For example, carrying one's Bowie on one's hip on the street may be fine in a certain town but will become a crime if one enters an establishment that serves alcohol. One may be able to openly carry in their neighborhood but still find themselves afoul of the law if they stray too close to a school zone while armed. The best way to find out what laws apply is to check with one's local and state law enforcement. In any area where weapons are generally prohibited, a Bowie knife should not be carried. Though these knives are tools, there is no denying that they are weapons, as well.