Seattle Municipal Code, and Weapons
Interesting legal trivia that I stumbled on:
Title 12A CRIMINAL CODE, Chapter 12A.14 WEAPONS CONTROL
Chapter 12A.14 - WEAPONS CONTROL
The short version:
In Seattle, it's illegal to "carry" a box-cutter or chef's knife or hatchet or axe or machete or sword. It's unclear from this section what "carry" means, but the best I can find is that it's probably equivalent to "carrying" a gun, in that it's OK if it's packed away in a container of some sort, but it's not OK to just stick it through your belt or toss it over your back, or tote it around in any other way that's easy to access. So definitely no putting a box-cutter in your pocket, because that's both carrying and also concealed!
In Seattle, it's illegal to give someone under 18 a box-cutter or chef's knife or hatchet or axe or machete or sword. And they can't buy or possess them either, except that they *can* possess them under direct adult supervision. One hopes that this wouldn't apply to a 17-year-old preparing a meal while their parents are away.
In Seattle, brass knuckles are Right Out. Nunchaku and throwing stars are, too, unless you're actively practicing a martial art that uses them, and you only take them to or from practice, purchase, or repair. (Technically, it seems to be illegal to possess them in your home while you are away from home.) I suppose the moral is to get rid of your throwing stars *before* you betray your ninja clan?
The long version:
12A.14.010
Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this chapter:
...
C. "Dangerous knife" means any fixed-blade knife and any other knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches (3 1/2") in length.
D. "Fixed-blade knife" means any knife, regardless of blade length, with a blade which is permanently open and does not fold, retract or slide into the handle of the knife, and includes any dagger, sword, bayonet, bolo knife, hatchet, axe, straight-edged razor, or razor blade not in a package, dispenser or shaving appliance.
...
H. "Switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring mechanism, or other device, or a blade that opens, falls or is ejected into position by force of gravity or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement.
...
12A.14.075
Unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another.
A. A person is guilty of unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another if he or she carries, exhibits, displays or draws a dangerous knife, any knife with a blade that is open for use or a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another person or warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
B. Subsection A of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:
1. Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;
2. Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by a third person;
3. Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony;
4. Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments; or
5. Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business.
...
12A.14.080
Unlawful use of weapons.
It is unlawful for a person knowingly to:
A. Sell, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry any blackjack, sand-club, metal knuckles, switchblade knife, chako stick, or throwing star; or
B. Carry concealed or unconcealed on his or her person any dangerous knife, or carry concealed on his or her person any deadly weapon other than a firearm; or
...
D. Sell or give away to any person under eighteen (18) years of age any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to purchase any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to possess any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm except when under the direct supervision of an adult.
...
12A.14.100
Exemptions-Dangerous knives.
The proscriptions of Section 12A.14.080 B relating to dangerous knives shall not apply to:
A. A licensed hunter or licensed fisherman actively engaged in hunting and fishing activity including education and travel related thereto; or
B. Any person immediately engaged in an activity related to a lawful occupation which commonly requires the use of such knife, provided such knife is carried unconcealed; provided further that a dangerous knife carried openly in a sheath suspended from the waist of the person is not concealed within the meaning of this subsection;
C. Any person carrying such knife in a secure wrapper or in a tool box while traveling from the place of purchase, from or to a place of repair, or from or to such person's home or place of business, or in moving from one (1) place of abode or business to another, or while in such person's place of abode or fixed place of business.
...
12A.14.120
Exemptions-Chako sticks or throwing stars.
Section 12A.14.080 A relating to chako sticks or throwing stars shall not apply to or affect regularly enrolled members of clubs and associations organized for the practice, instruction or demonstration of self-defense arts involving chako sticks or throwing stars while such members are at or are going to or from their place of residence, a practice session, an instruction session, a demonstration or a place of repair, or while such members are going from the place of purchase.
Title 12A CRIMINAL CODE, Chapter 12A.14 WEAPONS CONTROL
Chapter 12A.14 - WEAPONS CONTROL
The short version:
In Seattle, it's illegal to "carry" a box-cutter or chef's knife or hatchet or axe or machete or sword. It's unclear from this section what "carry" means, but the best I can find is that it's probably equivalent to "carrying" a gun, in that it's OK if it's packed away in a container of some sort, but it's not OK to just stick it through your belt or toss it over your back, or tote it around in any other way that's easy to access. So definitely no putting a box-cutter in your pocket, because that's both carrying and also concealed!
In Seattle, it's illegal to give someone under 18 a box-cutter or chef's knife or hatchet or axe or machete or sword. And they can't buy or possess them either, except that they *can* possess them under direct adult supervision. One hopes that this wouldn't apply to a 17-year-old preparing a meal while their parents are away.
In Seattle, brass knuckles are Right Out. Nunchaku and throwing stars are, too, unless you're actively practicing a martial art that uses them, and you only take them to or from practice, purchase, or repair. (Technically, it seems to be illegal to possess them in your home while you are away from home.) I suppose the moral is to get rid of your throwing stars *before* you betray your ninja clan?
The long version:
12A.14.010
Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this chapter:
...
C. "Dangerous knife" means any fixed-blade knife and any other knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches (3 1/2") in length.
D. "Fixed-blade knife" means any knife, regardless of blade length, with a blade which is permanently open and does not fold, retract or slide into the handle of the knife, and includes any dagger, sword, bayonet, bolo knife, hatchet, axe, straight-edged razor, or razor blade not in a package, dispenser or shaving appliance.
...
H. "Switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring mechanism, or other device, or a blade that opens, falls or is ejected into position by force of gravity or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement.
...
12A.14.075
Unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another.
A. A person is guilty of unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another if he or she carries, exhibits, displays or draws a dangerous knife, any knife with a blade that is open for use or a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another person or warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
B. Subsection A of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:
1. Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;
2. Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by a third person;
3. Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony;
4. Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments; or
5. Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business.
...
12A.14.080
Unlawful use of weapons.
It is unlawful for a person knowingly to:
A. Sell, manufacture, purchase, possess or carry any blackjack, sand-club, metal knuckles, switchblade knife, chako stick, or throwing star; or
B. Carry concealed or unconcealed on his or her person any dangerous knife, or carry concealed on his or her person any deadly weapon other than a firearm; or
...
D. Sell or give away to any person under eighteen (18) years of age any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to purchase any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm, or for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to possess any dangerous knife or deadly weapon other than a firearm except when under the direct supervision of an adult.
...
12A.14.100
Exemptions-Dangerous knives.
The proscriptions of Section 12A.14.080 B relating to dangerous knives shall not apply to:
A. A licensed hunter or licensed fisherman actively engaged in hunting and fishing activity including education and travel related thereto; or
B. Any person immediately engaged in an activity related to a lawful occupation which commonly requires the use of such knife, provided such knife is carried unconcealed; provided further that a dangerous knife carried openly in a sheath suspended from the waist of the person is not concealed within the meaning of this subsection;
C. Any person carrying such knife in a secure wrapper or in a tool box while traveling from the place of purchase, from or to a place of repair, or from or to such person's home or place of business, or in moving from one (1) place of abode or business to another, or while in such person's place of abode or fixed place of business.
...
12A.14.120
Exemptions-Chako sticks or throwing stars.
Section 12A.14.080 A relating to chako sticks or throwing stars shall not apply to or affect regularly enrolled members of clubs and associations organized for the practice, instruction or demonstration of self-defense arts involving chako sticks or throwing stars while such members are at or are going to or from their place of residence, a practice session, an instruction session, a demonstration or a place of repair, or while such members are going from the place of purchase.