Rights and Responsibility Weapons Study Guide

009

Knives

Michigan state law prohibits the carrying of a concealed weapon, including knives, without a permit. However, there are several exceptions for lawful purposes, such as hunting, self defense, and collecting. The only weapons permit issued is from a Michigan Concealed Pistol License. The only weapons that can be carried under the CPL license are a handgun and a taser. Here are some of the key points of Michigan knife laws. • It is illegal to carry with unlawful intent a dirk, dagger, razor, stiletto, or a knife with a blade longer than three inches. • You can open carry all legal knives as long as you do not have the intention to harm others. • You can carry a hunting knife, open or concealed, as long as it’s adapted and carried as such. • It’s illegal to conceal to carry a double-edged non-folding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon on or about a person, except in their dwelling house, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person. • Common folding knives, such as pocketknives and Swiss Army knives, are legal to carry and possess in Michigan if they are not used with the intent to commit a crime.

Update NO. 130 November 21, 2017 CRIMINAL LAW

The Michigan Penal Code amended to repeal the crime of possession of a mechanical knife Public Act 96 of 2017 repealed MCL 750.226a of the Michigan Penal Code to eliminate the prohibition on possession of a knife solely because it has the appearance of a pocketknife but can be opened by the flick of a button, pressure on a handle, or other mechanical contrivance. Officers are reminded that unless exempt under MCL 750.231, a person with a “mechanical knife” may still be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon pursuant to MCL 750.227 if that knife could be classified as a “dagger, dirk, stiletto, or double edged non-folding stabbing instrument of any length.” However, the fact that the knife is “mechanical” is irrelevant to that offense. Officers are similarly reminded that a person with a “mechanical knife” may still be arrested for carrying a weapon with unlawful intent under MCL 750.226 if that knife could be classified as a “dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over three inches in length” and is carried with the intent to use it unlawfully against the person of another. However, the fact that the knife is “mechanical” is irrelevant to that offense.