Knives - once and for all. LEOs? Lawyers?

[chrisguy]

Quite the can o' worms we opened here!

I offer a big THANK YOU to everyone that's replied, particularly OneGuy67 for his insights as an LEO.

Regarding the question of the hugely popular assisted-openers...

CRS 18-12-101 defines a switchblade as "any knife, the blade of which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in its handle."

I personally would not define them as switchblades.

Already said I'm no lawyer or LEO, but every interpretation I've found agrees with OneGuy67's. In nearly every state that has legislation about switchblades/automatic knives, there's some kind of similar wording about pressing a button, a lever, or some other kind of acutator that's not part of or attached to the blade itself. In the 80s knives with thumb studs and Spydercos exploded; the industry recognized the desire to at least be able to open a knife with one hand, and ways to do it legally. The current assisted openers are imho something of a loophole in the wording of the laws, but don't meet the existing definitions since there's no button, lever etc. Here's something related I just found:
http://www.kniferights.org/index.php...=76&Itemid=150 [Thanks to StagLefty for reminding me about blade forums! /facepalm]

Then there are the "wave" openers or whatever they're called, too... with that scoop shape on the spine that you can catch on your pocket during the draw. No button, no lever, not even a spring... hmm.

Hunting, fishing, camp, and utility blades of any length are exempt provided they are carried openly and the individual in question is at a campsite or in the mountains and can articulate a reasonable explanation for why he has it on his person.

State of Colorado specifically permits daggers and dirks as long as blade length is under 3.5", but Denver does not recognize this statute and measures the entire cutting edge rather than blade length. That would turn a legal 3" boot knife into an illegal 6" weapon.

If Denver police notice a pocket clip they can ask to see the knife so they can measure it. If blade length is a fraction of an inch over 3.5" some officers can and will arrest you for carrying a "concealed" knife even though it was in plain view. These cases are frequently dismissed when they go to court.

Clint45 - I won't ask you to confirm you're LEO, judge, lawyer etc. on a public forum, but your statements have a ring of experience to them. Your last two are a good example of what I've heard about Denver being more strict, though it's good to hear about the dismissals.
A question I have back (to all) about the first part:
- Is fear of running into a mountain lion... or a bear, some psycho, a weed growing operation, maybe a really scary spider... a reasonable explanation for carrying a larger blade, say in a place where firearms are forbidden? I think several of the popular parks fall into that category, and I know of one up in Evergreen that explicitly bans CHP too. I just wanna know that I'm legit if I wear my Campanion on the trails... crikey, has the word "camp" in its name!

I am a LEO and I will tell you what the state law says and then tell you my personal experience and belief.
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Butterfly knives fall into the gravity knife definition.
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Switchblade knives are discussed in CRS 18-12-101 and are illegal for possession.
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For the most part, Colorado law does not regulate or control any knives with a blade less than 3.5 inches.
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It is my unofficial belief that most law enforcement are not concerned with knives as long as they remain clipped or sheathed on a person that the officer does not deem a threat.
I know. It doesn't clear the air on the matter. Just my $.02.

I fully understand this is "unofficial", and your input is much appreciated sir, as is your service. I figured about the butterfly knives... any input about whether they're affected by the 3.5" definition? I'm thinking one might not be a "Knife" as defined in C.R.S. above, so is it even still a "gravity knife"? I know, I'm getting way too detailed probably... I do that, especially in Hypothetical Land.

<--- those are just big assisted-openers