Keeping a Swiss Army Knife in your Car?

BulletBob

Does anyone know what the law says about keeping a 'Swiss Army Knife/Multi Tool' in your car???

Many Thanks

d123

If it locks open, you need an immediate valid reason for it. If it does not have a locking mechanism and any blade is less than 3" long it is permissible without reason.

Wig

The law says that as long as you can demonstrate you have good reason for carrying the knife then it is ok. If for example the knife is in a box of tools there is nothing they could do to you.

I also don't personally see anything wrong with carrying said knife in the glovebox or on your key ring, or in your pocket at all times, because as far as I am concerned such a knife is quite often useful and many people have got used to carrying their knife with them wherever they go.

But the police will try to do you for possession if the blade is greater the 3 inches long, and carrying, or some other offence if it is less than 3 inches long.

I find the whole idea rediculous that we have to justify why we want to carry a pocket knife. (sledgehammer to crack a nut).


IANAL

anewman

Suppose it depends on your intended use. If you have it in the door bins open and ready to pull on people that might not be good. If you do fishing or something and keep it in the boot then I can't see a problem. I don't understand the blade length thing as surely 3 inches can do lots of damage.

d123

Wig wrote: »

The law says that as long as you can demonstrate you have good reason for carrying the knife then it is ok. If for example the knife is in a box of tools there is nothing they could do to you.

I also don't personally see anything wrong with carrying said knife in the glovebox or on your key ring, or in your pocket at all times, because as far as I am concerned such a knife is quite often useful and many people have got used to carrying their knife with them wherever they go.

But the police will try to do you for possession if the blade is greater the 3 inches long, and carrying, or some other offence if it is less than 3 inches long.

I find the whole idea rediculous that we have to justify why we want to carry a pocket knife. (sledgehammer to crack a nut).


IANAL

The good reason has to be immediate, you can't leave a locking or fixed blade in the car "just in case" you might need it. Nor is it an adequate defence to have one in the tool box in case it's needed.

The law that covers this is Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act.

139. Offence of having article with blade or point in public place.

— (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) below, any person who has an article to which this section applies with him in a public place shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, this section applies to any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed except a folding pocketknife.

(3) This section applies to a folding pocketknife if the cutting edge of its blade exceeds 3 inches.

(4) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had the article with him—

(a)for use at work;

(b)for religious reasons; or

(c)as part of any national costume.

MickKnipfler

I eat lots of apples...

anewman

MickKnipfler wrote: »

I eat lots of apples...

Then you need a corer :rotfl:

MickKnipfler

don't like the skin

vikingaero

MickKnipfler wrote: »

don't like the skin

You'll never grow up fit and healthy if you don't eat the skin. :rolleyes:

I carry a Leatherman multi-tool and keep it in its holster in the door pocket. I also carry a 3 D cell Maglite in proper Maglite clips by the front seats.

Andy_L

Does in your car count as a "public place" though? (like Wig IANAL).

d123

Andy_L wrote: »

Does in your car count as a "public place" though? (like Wig IANAL).

Yes, it does.