Quote Originally Posted by chrisguy View Post
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.

By the strictest interpretation of the statute, anything with a blade length over 3.5 inches is illegal.

CRS 18-12-101(e) defines a gravity knife as "means any knife that has a blade released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force." ~ thus your butterfly knife that is opened by flicking it around and using centrifugal force to manipulate its opening (or its cutting you if the blade is reversed by accident).

Conversely, CRS 18-12-101 (f) defines a knife as "any dagger, dirk, knife, or stilletto with a blade over three and one-half inches in length, or any other dangerous instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds, but does not include a hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use. The issue that a knife is a hunting or a fishing knife must be raised as an affirmative defense." They have charged people with using a screwdriver under this statute as the instrument stabbed and tore wounds.

I do believe that you would not have any problems if you are carrying your Campanion knife and contacted by park rangers, law enforcement, etc. and you articulate the reason for carrying it, which sounded pretty rational to me.

However, as with anything ever discussed here on this forum, there are those officers who are new, who are ignorant, who are fearful, who are plain dumb, that may question your carrying of such a blade length. I'm sure they are out there somewhere. As much as I try to educate officers I come across who's training is lacking, there are too many out there, too many new ones coming in and too many hypothetical situations to try to get them to reason through.

I apologize for my profession.