How many cyclists in Philadelphia are breaking the city's knife laws? (Page 4)

that's what teeth are for

Wow, I was 6 when this was passed

I'd never even heard of this. I'm assuming that interpretation  relies on the definition of  the word word weapon, because there are plenty of stores in Philly that sell pocketknives. My son and I bought new ones like 2 months ago. In theory then I've violated this law every time I've biked with my multitool, and almost every day I remember to stick my 2" pocketknife in my pants. Anyway, cops here likely don't even know that law or would think about enforcing it.

You ought to see what my son carries to culinary school every day!

But anyway: it is a silly law, overly broad at best.  A law like this becomes a problem when there's disparate enforcement.

Most of us scoff at the thought of getting booked for carrying a pocketknife.  You're right, we probably won't be---"we" being a relatively affluent and mostly white crowd.  When ordinances like the knife law are being selectively enforced against people who the police target for unconstitutional reasons (particularly race), then that's where we get into dicey constitutional territory.

(An aside: passed in 1968, this was probably intended to deal with gang fighting at the time, when the bad side of gang fighting involved knives.  Now they have guns.  Which is a separate issue, in my view, though perhaps not in don's.)

I think it's fun how you are trying to make people into hypocrites by comparing the current gun law situation with outdated and non relevant knife laws.

But anyway: it is a silly law, overly broad at best.  A law like this becomes a problem when there's disparate enforcement.

Most of us scoff at the thought of getting booked for carrying a pocketknife.  You're right, we probably won't be---"we" being a relatively affluent and mostly white crowd.  When ordinances like the knife law are being selectively enforced against people who the police target for unconstitutional reasons (particularly race), then that's where we get into dicey constitutional territory.

(An aside: passed in 1968, this was probably intended to deal with gang fighting at the time, when the bad side of gang fighting involved knives.  Now they have guns.  Which is a separate issue, in my view, though perhaps not in don's.)

I'm not trying to show anyone to be a hypocrite.

Look, this is a stupid law.
I actually abide by this stupid law.
I teach my kids to abide by this law. 

It's related to gun laws in that it involves weapons.
That's serious business when it comes to the law. 

Dangerous criminals are not going to follow the knife laws in Philadelphia.
The only people who follow this law are law abiding citizens.

The only people who are going to follow any new gun laws
are people who respect the law.
Those are not the people you need to be worried about in the first place. 

I 100% agree with this so I guess I just don't get the comparison AT ALL then.

Is the converse true then?  Since I WILL NOT follow, or "respect" the law about having a 1.5" knife IF it was part of my multi tool in my saddle bag of my bike, then I won't follow gun laws?  Or if I don't respect the law for shooting signal rockets or letting my donkey sleep in the bathtub?

Furthermore, how is a multi tool blade a "weapon".  Just because it has a sharp edge?  A utility knife?  Shard of glass?  I bet a bat or hammer has been used as a "weapon" far more than a multi tool blade. 

I guess I'm not seeing the connection you are trying to make on bit and can't see the the direct comparison between a multi tool and a semi-auto pistol or assault weapon.  Granted, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed (which is good, cuz a sharp tool could be a weapon).

Fine, I'll play.

First, I have owned a dozen multi tools.  None of them even HAD a knife blade.  I did a quick seach, and only the mega versions with 25-30 items have one.  So I don't have one in the first place.  Non issue.

Second, if I DID.  Are cops pulling over random cyclists to check their saddle bag for multi tools that contain knives?  NO.  So not an issue.

Are cops even aware of the law - most likely not.  So another reason I don't think it's an issue.

If the cop IS aware of the law.  Most would be reasonable, like the 5-10 mph over the limit buffer and realize it's part of a multi tool kept on your bike for emergency.  They are not going to fine you.  And that's AFTER you have one, and AFTER they figure out that you have it in the first place...

IF, they wanted to stop you, search you for no reason, then fine you $300 bucks - if you took it to court, you think they would pursue it and waste court time?  Probably not.  Not an issue.

I could probably go on...

But why do you think this IS an isssue?

I am with you - the derailment was so much more fun.

A knife has always been a tool that is used for a variety of purposes - true, it can also be a weapon but in most aspects of domestic life we use them for non-weapon reasons.  A gun is pretty well always a weapon - a useful one for hunting but i fail to see how or why people in built up urban areas need one on their person in any way similar to a pen knife/multi-tool.

But then, i come from one of those crazy countries where we have gun control.  It works for us.  There is some legal ownership (i saw one stat of 2.9% of households have a handgun) and a very small number of thugs have managed to get a hold of them as you suggest.  That number is incredibly small - though still well-published and part of the media frenzy.  We usually know where those guns come from when they get them - usually stolen and smuggled from the US or stolen from collectors. 

Rather than take his knife roll, he throws his 12" chef's knife and a couple other knives into the bad and heads out to the bus. I had to explain to him that it was probably a bad idea, wrap them in a towel so the handles aren't sticking out

I guess I'm not seeing the connection you are trying to make on bit and can't see the the direct comparison between a multi tool and a semi-auto pistol or assault weapon.  Granted, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed (which is good, cuz a sharp tool could be a weapon).

I am with you - the derailment was so much more fun.

A knife has always been a tool that is used for a variety of purposes - true, it can also be a weapon but in most aspects of domestic life we use them for non-weapon reasons.  A gun is pretty well always a weapon - a useful one for hunting but i fail to see how or why people in built up urban areas need one on their person in any way similar to a pen knife/multi-tool.

But then, i come from one of those crazy countries where we have gun control.  It works for us.  There is some legal ownership (i saw one stat of 2.9% of households have a handgun) and a very small number of thugs have managed to get a hold of them as you suggest.  That number is incredibly small - though still well-published and part of the media frenzy.  We usually know where those guns come from when they get them - usually stolen and smuggled from the US or stolen from collectors.