I can carry freakin' machete around town!

[jasonwill2]

Ok so I bought my first ever machete today, this model:

18" Machete with Nylon Sheath

So it was cheap and all and hopefully it holds up. It is 18 inches and all, and has a sheath.

SO, I wondered... can I legally carry this around?

Apparently so, at least the law doesn't prohibit it unless I carry it concealed without a license.

West Virginia Code

While the State of West Virginia would consider a blade over 3 and a half inches such as this would DEFINITELY be considered a deadly weapon if I used it in the commissioning of a crime, including brandishing it in a threatening manner, I think the mere presence will keep the idiots and jerks away from me. Plus, who would want to mug a guy WITH A FREAKIN' MACHETE in the first place?! Not that we have much muggers here mind you!

Though there are some restrictions. If someone OWNS property and asked me to hand it over temporarily, I must comply, and I cannot carry it on government grounds, including schools and court houses. As well I cannot carry it where otherwise prohibited by said place of business and/or services.

As well I can carry it concealed on my place of residence, which would probably include the cow fields across the street and behind my house, both of which my landlord owns. (Not sure how I would conceal a 18 inch long and two inch wide blade though!)

So while nothing explicitly allows me to do this, there is no law AGAINST IT, so long as it is not concealed, and that is key. Actually, I can carry it concealed, if I am taking it home from purchase or to or from a place to repair it.

Meaning I can just walk on down the street, and maybe walk into a Burger King or where-ever so long as they do not have a "no weapons" sign. Isn't this great?! I ******* love America!

And don't get me wrong: I will do this specifically just because I can. Now i just need to learn how to etch a sigil in it for good luck, and get the stupid sheath to work for my left-handedness. I will have to cut off the part that my belt loop goes through and strongly stitch it to the other side. Stupid Right Hand fascist world, no justice for literally left handed people! (I'm exaggerating of course when I say fascist)

I just can't wait to see how much more "umph" such a long blade might have in rituals over my stupid 6 inch knife I've been using. I will later get pictures and upload them in a couple of days if I can. But for now, no rituals and pointing it at sigils... just basking in awesomeness of my first machete... must try it out on some brush :yes:

Oh and Blackberry season is coming soon and I want to scout for new locations, and often breyers are in the woods or near them, so useful stuff too, yay!

 

[Tarheeler]

You need to see if your state has something like NC's "Armed to the terror of the public" law, which states: By common law in North Carolina, it is unlawful for a person to arm himself with any unusual and dangerous weapon, for the purpose of terrifying others, and go about on public highways in a manner to cause terror to others.

It's been used in the past to cite people who choose to openly carry firearms, which is perfectly legal in NC. It's kind of a "catch-all" statute to deter certain behavior that the local police may not be particularly conformable with.

 

[fallingblood]

You need to see if your state has something like NC's "Armed to the terror of the public" law, which states: By common law in North Carolina, it is unlawful for a person to arm himself with any unusual and dangerous weapon, for the purpose of terrifying others, and go about on public highways in a manner to cause terror to others.

It's been used in the past to cite people who choose to openly carry firearms, which is perfectly legal in NC. It's kind of a "catch-all" statute to deter certain behavior that the local police may not be particularly conformable with.

I was going to saw something like that. I know in North Dakota and Minnesota, a police would stop someone openly carrying a weapon. And they will most likely cite you for something, or even take you in.

 

[jasonwill2]

You need to see if your state has something like NC's "Armed to the terror of the public" law, which states: By common law in North Carolina, it is unlawful for a person to arm himself with any unusual and dangerous weapon, for the purpose of terrifying others, and go about on public highways in a manner to cause terror to others.

It's been used in the past to cite people who choose to openly carry firearms, which is perfectly legal in NC. It's kind of a "catch-all" statute to deter certain behavior that the local police may not be particularly conformable with.

I was going to saw something like that. I know in North Dakota and Minnesota, a police would stop someone openly carrying a weapon. And they will most likely cite you for something, or even take you in.

There is nothing limiting me from doing this, and so long as I am not behaving agitated they would have no grounds to arrest me. I went to several message boards to see how people usually reacted to this kind of thing, as well as researched my State laws on the matter.

If they arrest me, and I was not harassing people, and I never held it (it would be sheathed the WHOLE TIME), I really doubt that they could charge me with anything, let alone anything that would stick. No law is limiting me from this on the state level, and I will soon check on the local level.

As far as a "catch-all" crime, there is nothing listed in Chapter 61, Article 7 of the West Virginia Code, and I saw nothing relevant in Chapter 61, Article 6 for crimes against the peace.

Wow I just realized those who articles are one after another... looked at many laws while I was at it.

edit: There seems to be two other mentions of knifes in the West Virginia code I have overlooked.

 

[jasonwill2]

WVC 8 - 12 - 5

§8-12-5. General powers of every municipality and the governing body thereof.

In addition to the powers and authority granted by: (i) The Constitution of this state; (ii) other provisions of this chapter; (iii) other general law; and (iv) any charter, and to the extent not inconsistent or in conflict with any of the foregoing except special legislative charters, every municipality and the governing body thereof shall have plenary power and authority therein by ordinance or resolution, as the case may require, and by appropriate action based thereon:

(16) To arrest, convict and punish any individual for carrying about his or her person any revolver or other pistol, dirk, bowie knife, razor, slingshot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles or any other dangerous or other deadly weapon of like kind or character;
(17) To arrest, convict and punish any person for importing, printing, publishing, selling or distributing any pornographic publications;




OK I am now confused, as what does it mean to "carry about their person",



and why do they have the right to arrest people for selling porn? That is protected under the first amendment and is sold right here in town at two or 3 places off the top of my mind. Wouldn't that violate federal law?



Now I am confused. I should check with the county level as well as the City level of BOTH towns.

 

[Tarheeler]

WVC 8 - 12 - 5

§8-12-5. General powers of every municipality and the governing body thereof.

In addition to the powers and authority granted by: (i) The Constitution of this state; (ii) other provisions of this chapter; (iii) other general law; and (iv) any charter, and to the extent not inconsistent or in conflict with any of the foregoing except special legislative charters, every municipality and the governing body thereof shall have plenary power and authority therein by ordinance or resolution, as the case may require, and by appropriate action based thereon:

(16) To arrest, convict and punish any individual for carrying about his or her person any revolver or other pistol, dirk, bowie knife, razor, slingshot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles or any other dangerous or other deadly weapon of like kind or character;
(17) To arrest, convict and punish any person for importing, printing, publishing, selling or distributing any pornographic publications;




OK I am now confused, as what does it mean to "carry about their person",



and why do they have the right to arrest people for selling porn? That is protected under the first amendment and is sold right here in town at two or 3 places off the top of my mind. Wouldn't that violate federal law?



Now I am confused. I should check with the county level as well as the City level of BOTH towns.

And do understand that, even if it is perfectly legal where you live, that doesn't mean that you won't be stopped and required to prove yourself every time you turn around.

Unfortunately, those who carry are usually more informed of the law than the police who are supposed to enforce it.

 

[fallingblood]

There is nothing limiting me from doing this, and so long as I am not behaving agitated they would have no grounds to arrest me. I went to several message boards to see how people usually reacted to this kind of thing, as well as researched my State laws on the matter.

If they arrest me, and I was not harassing people, and I never held it (it would be sheathed the WHOLE TIME), I really doubt that they could charge me with anything, let alone anything that would stick. No law is limiting me from this on the state level, and I will soon check on the local level.

As far as a "catch-all" crime, there is nothing listed in Chapter 61, Article 7 of the West Virginia Code, and I saw nothing relevant in Chapter 61, Article 6 for crimes against the peace.

Wow I just realized those who articles are one after another... looked at many laws while I was at it.

edit: There seems to be two other mentions of knifes in the West Virginia code I have overlooked.

I'm just telling you from my training as a cop. If I saw someone walking around with a machete, I would stop them. And if I wanted, I would find something that would stick. It isn't that hard.

Even if the knife is in a sheath, a cop can get you on it being concealed. If it isn't clearly visible (as in, people can clearly tell that it is a knife), it is considered concealed. That can be a sticky law.

So it is just something you need to be aware of. If nothing else, you can find it inconvenient to be carrying a machete.

 

[apophenia]

Why do you want to carry it around ? What makes the idea so appealing ?

" Plus, who would want to mug a guy WITH A FREAKIN' MACHETE in the first place?! Not that we have much muggers here mind you!"

So you say you don't see a need for it for self defense. And, BTW, if you did use it for self defense you would cause shocking injuries or death, and then need to explain to a court why you were carrying it (and you would probably declare you are a satanist at some point, or that would be pointed out by others).

You seem to want to confront the world in some way, to disturb and frighten people. I would suggest having a long hard look at that inclination before it masters you, and destroys you. Are you choosing to feel this way ? (Unlikely).

Is this will or unconscious compulsion ?

 

[jasonwill2]

I'm just telling you from my training as a cop. If I saw someone walking around with a machete, I would stop them. And if I wanted, I would find something that would stick. It isn't that hard.

Even if the knife is in a sheath, a cop can get you on it being concealed. If it isn't clearly visible (as in, people can clearly tell that it is a knife), it is considered concealed. That can be a sticky law.

So it is just something you need to be aware of. If nothing else, you can find it inconvenient to be carrying a machete.

Why would you do that to someone minding their own business? Also I think since it's so huge and hanging off my belt, with nothing draping over it like a jacket, it would be obvious that it is a huge weapon.

Seems I might as well get get a concealed weapons permit when I'm eligible in two months

edit: wait... can I even hide an 18 inch long blade?

Why do you want to carry it around ? What makes the idea so appealing ?

" Plus, who would want to mug a guy WITH A FREAKIN' MACHETE in the first place?! Not that we have much muggers here mind you!"

So you say you don't see a need for it for self defense. And, BTW, if you did use it for self defense you would cause shocking injuries or death, and then need to explain to a court why you were carrying it (and you would probably declare you are a satanist at some point, or that would be pointed out by others).

You seem to want to confront the world in some way, to disturb and frighten people. I would suggest having a long hard look at that inclination before it masters you, and destroys you. Are you choosing to feel this way ? (Unlikely).

Is this will or unconscious compulsion ?

It's a machete... that I can carry around, what is NOT ****** about that? Also if I killed someone trying to get me, it depends on where it happened. In West Virginia we have The Castle Doctrine, so if someone breaks into my home and threatens my safety, I am not required to attempt to retreat before using deadly force. So if someone breaks into my house and threatens me, I can chop em' up and I am perfectly fine.

Now if it is in public, I think it is a bit different. I am not sure on the very specifics of the Stand Your Ground laws, but it is my understanding that it is part of the Castle Doctrine from my research. I am not sure what is considered acceptable use of deadly force in public, nor would I attempt to use it unless cornered, most likely by a lynch mob looking for that mouthy devil worshiper. (ok I'm joking it's not that bad here).

But no I'm not out to scare people, I just want to feel safe is all, and I will feel much safer having something clearly displaying that I am armed. I wouldn't go antagonizing people, I probably would mind my own business and not talk to anyone I don't know like usual.

 

[apophenia]

Why would you do that to someone minding their own business? Also I think since it's so huge and hanging off my belt, with nothing draping over it like a jacket, it would be obvious that it is a huge weapon.

Seems I might as well get get a concealed weapons permit when I'm eligible in two months



It's a machete... that I can carry around, what is NOT ****** about that? Also if I killed someone trying to get me, it depends on where it happened. In West Virginia we have The Castle Doctrine, so if someone breaks into my home and threatens my safety, I am not required to attempt to retreat before using deadly force. So if someone breaks into my house and threatens me, I can chop em' up and I am perfectly fine.

Now if it is in public, I think it is a bit different. I am not sure on the very specifics of the Stand Your Ground laws, but it is my understanding that it is part of the Castle Doctrine from my research. I am not sure what is considered acceptable use of deadly force in public, nor would I attempt to use it unless cornered, most likely by a lynch mob looking for that mouthy devil worshiper. (ok I'm joking it's not that bad here).

But no I'm not out to scare people, I just want to feel safe is all, and I will feel much safer having something clearly displaying that I am armed. I wouldn't go antagonizing people, I probably would mind my own business and not talk to anyone I don't know like usual.

You are having a dangerous fantasy based on unexamined motivation. Period.

An authentic practitioner of the LHP distinguishes between will and compulsion. You are failing to do that, and your arguments sound like practiced excuses which you yourself know are bull ****.

 

[Iti oj]

only carry use it when your hiking walking around with it all the time is asking for trouble.

 

[jasonwill2]

You are having a dangerous fantasy based on unexamined motivation. Period.

An authentic practitioner of the LHP distinguishes between will and compulsion. You are failing to do that, and your arguments sound like practiced excuses which you yourself know are bull ****.

I can't help but laugh inside, what fantasy am I entertaining? Could it be that I would do this JUST BECAUSE I CAN? Because it it's legal, it's a totally awesome idea.

This is America; we responsible and law-abiding members of society should be allowed to excersize our Second Amendment right.

Let's observe that I said I would not bother, and probably not even talk to, anyone. And then that I would do my usual thing, just with my machete on my belt. Is it so hard to understand that I think it would be cool to do such a thing? I would cause no trouble at all, I would be minding my own business.

How is this a "dangerous fantasy"? I am talking about doing this if it is legal.

 

[jasonwill2]

only carry use it when your hiking walking around with it all the time is asking for trouble.

america

 

[Iti oj]

america

a police state?

 

[fallingblood]

Why would you do that to someone minding their own business? Also I think since it's so huge and hanging off my belt, with nothing draping over it like a jacket, it would be obvious that it is a huge weapon.

Seems I might as well get get a concealed weapons permit when I'm eligible in two months

edit: wait... can I even hide an 18 inch long blade?

I would do so because you had a huge weapon out in public. That instantly screams out problem to me. It is a possible danger.

It's a machete... that I can carry around, what is NOT ****** about that? Also if I killed someone trying to get me, it depends on where it happened. In West Virginia we have The Castle Doctrine, so if someone breaks into my home and threatens my safety, I am not required to attempt to retreat before using deadly force. So if someone breaks into my house and threatens me, I can chop em' up and I am perfectly fine.

Now if it is in public, I think it is a bit different. I am not sure on the very specifics of the Stand Your Ground laws, but it is my understanding that it is part of the Castle Doctrine from my research. I am not sure what is considered acceptable use of deadly force in public, nor would I attempt to use it unless cornered, most likely by a lynch mob looking for that mouthy devil worshiper. (ok I'm joking it's not that bad here).

But no I'm not out to scare people, I just want to feel safe is all, and I will feel much safer having something clearly displaying that I am armed. I wouldn't go antagonizing people, I probably would mind my own business and not talk to anyone I don't know like usual.

You would actually most likely go to jail. Especially when the prosecutor did a little research on you and found threads like this, that suggest that it wasn't just out of self-defense (and trust me, it wouldn't be that hard to misconstrue what you are saying here).

Also, usually when people feel "safer" by carrying a weapon, there is a likely hood they will either do something dumb with it, or be injured by it. That, and you are probably asking for trouble. It happens very often that a "tough guy" is attacked just for prideful reasons.

Finally, just because we live in America, and have the right to do so, doesn't mean we should do it. And it certainly doesn't mean you can do it without someone questioning you.

 

[Tarheeler]

... That, and you are probably asking for trouble. It happens very often that a "tough guy" is attacked just for prideful reasons.

...

I've seen that one more than a few time with guys who open carry. You're going to come across some ******* who assumes you're looking for trouble because you're armed.

And voila, you've got a serious problem.

I open carried for about 6 months before I got my CCW permit; I never ran into serious problems, but did have to "educate" my share of local cops about the law.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

You would actually most likely go to jail. Especially when the prosecutor did a little research on you and found threads like this, that suggest that it wasn't just out of self-defense (and trust me, it wouldn't be that hard to misconstrue what you are saying here).

The DA or ADA wouldn't need to do any research. If you belong to a training facility that teaches tactical combatives or have attended seminars which cover edged weapons (and not simply defenses against them, but at least including using your own), if the instructor or instructors are any good they will cover the type of blade you should carry. If you are carrying for self-defense, and you carry a knife that looks like this:

or this:

(two I happen to own), then the prosecutor can (and often will) assume you were looking for a fight. Moreover, they will bring your blade into court and show the jury, call it a "combat knife" or something similar, and use it to depict you as someone who is unstable and looking for an excuse to use your weapon.

As for a machete...well, that's a done deal. Use it and expect to be convicted.

Also, usually when people feel "safer" by carrying a weapon, there is a likely hood they will either do something dumb with it, or be injured by it.

Depends both on the weapon and the person (and the training). I've had instructors tell people (esp. women) who say they don't think they could use a firearm to carry one unloaded. I'm not sure I agree (and I've heard other instructors laugh at this), but they have a point: there's a good chance that if you can access it, you can stop your attacker just with the threat, and there is no chance for the attacker to use it against you.

The mentality behind using an edged weapon, and the unbelievable damage even an unskilled person can do at close range, makes carrying one an entirely different story (especially if you don't know how to use it, have not practiced accessing it under duress, and "feel safer" because you are carrying it). In one of the classes at my Krav maga center, we watched videos of actual knife attacks. One was an altercation between a big guy and a smaller guy, in which the bigger guy was standing close in an aggressive manner (and there appeared to be words exchanged). Then the smaller guy pulled out a knife and stabbed him about a dozen times in a matter of a few seconds and left. The bigger guy went to the bar, sat down, and died. The whole video was less than a minute, and the first stab would have killed the bigger guy (it was to his neck). It wouldn't have mattered if the big guy had been carrying a smatchet or a glock, he still would have died. At that distance, there was no way for him to react fast enough to stop the attack (if you don't believe this, have someone get very close to you when your arms are at your side, and have them slap you in the face at a moment they choose; even though you know it is coming, 9 out of 10 times you won't be able to stop it).

Finally, just because we live in America, and have the right to do so, doesn't mean we should do it. And it certainly doesn't mean you can do it without someone questioning you.

Truer words are seldom spoken.

 

[Quagmire]

I would do so because you had a huge weapon out in public. That instantly screams out problem to me. It is a possible danger.
You would actually most likely go to jail. Especially when the prosecutor did a little research on you and found threads like this, that suggest that it wasn't just out of self-defense (and trust me, it wouldn't be that hard to misconstrue what you are saying here).

Especially considering all this :

jasonwill2 Offline
Religion: Violence & Opposition
Title:Adrenline Induced Mania

 

[Father Heathen]

Ok so I bought my first ever machete today

Doing some yard work?

 

[apophenia]

Especially considering all this :

jasonwill2 Offline
Religion: Violence & Opposition
Title:Adrenline Induced Mania

That pretty much sums it up. There is a world of difference between LHP and what those words indicate. Compulsion is the antithesis of will. Being subject to attention-seeking bloodrushes to the head is not an indication of will. Just the opposite in fact.