Knife Laws in Washington

[Massivedesign]

RCW 9.41.250 -Dangerous Weapons
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.250
(1) Every person who:
(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or
(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law,
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2) "Spring blade knife" means any knife, including a prototype, model, or other sample, with a blade that is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement. A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife.

RCW 9.41.270 - Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.270

Last edited by Massivedesign on Sun Sep 10, 2017 6:34 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: Updated by MD for spring assist addition

[MadPick]

Great info, thanks for posting. Stickied.

[oldkim]

Thanks for the info! Really good stuff.

[MadPick]

Bump for a great post . . . I used it again today.

[sofa king]

great info but I will always carry my bench made auto law or not

[Rivitman]

Update to RCW 9.41.250
What was legal before is now legal-er.... (Assisted opening folders)

*** CHANGE IN 2012 *** (SEE 2347-S.SL) ***

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdo ... 7-S.SL.pdf

[DocNugent]

I have an old version of this "knife" from Harbor Freight - it can be opened "by the force of . . . centrifugal . . . movement" (i.e., a flick of my wrist). I wonder if I should turn it in to somebody . . . .

[Soldier_Citizen]

Like it or not for wa state, I was issued a Benchmade AFO II that I carried while in the service. Now I be walking down the street with it in my pocket, I will still be keeping it, the Goverment issued it, the state wont take it away. Thanks for the post though!!!! I guess when I need it professionally sharpened I will have to take it over to Oregon so no one asks me weird questions

[A.O.]

"Every person who:
(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses..."

So I know of a few places that sell OTF knives... only to law enforcement, but acording to this, they;re breakingthe law just by having them in the shop or selling them. Interesting, but still lame. :(

[cquintWA]

@ A.Oster. I have seen places in Tilicum that sells autos. I bet they can because they have GSA contracts with the military.

[deadshot2]

State Law generally deals with concealing a dangerous weapon (Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon;)

Where does that leave the person that carries a "hunting knife" openly on their belt? Or let's say a K-Bar 7" Blade sheathed knife?

There's a lot of territory in this State that doesn't appear to be covered by the short blade, fixed blade, restrictions.

Also wonder how the laws accommodate those who carry a knife as part of their religious requirements (ie Sikhs)?

[A.O.]

@cquintWA: Yeah, I found the RCW the other day and saw the amendment allowing contracted dealers only to sell. So you can't just get business license and carry one, you have to have a contract with some official fire/police/military to have it in your possession. :\

And deadshot, I agree. I feel at this point we live in an age where everyone reports anyone for anything they *feel* might be illegal, then the cops show up and *look* for something to arrest r charge you with. Even if you're not breaking laws and can cite the ones you're following, the police seem set on arresting and letting courts sort it out. Seriously not feeling the land of the free here.

[sw33tooth]

As I understand the state law allows one to carry a fixed blade knife as long as the knife is not a dagger or dirk. I was looking through the definition and some google pictures, and have come to the conclusion that they simply don't want you to carry a blade that is double sided. As long as your hunting knife or K-bar doesn't have the top edge sharpened you should be fine, so long as the area you are in does not have its own rules limiting those tool. From what I've seen most outskirt cities do not have bans on fixed blades.

[The DUDE Abides]

Can you carry one on You concealed if you have a cpl?

[The DUDE Abides]

Wondering because I carry a SOG fixation as back up in my truck. Its double edged and 7" blade.