Knife Laws in New Jersey: What You Need to Know About Your Rights? The Knife Laws in New Jersey can be pretty confusing, which is why understanding them really goes a long way in staying out of hot water.
This guide gives a breakdown of what is actually legal, illegal, and the possible punishments for having or carrying a certain kind of knife in New Jersey.
Legal Knives in New Jersey
New Jersey allows people to carry quite a number of knives, but there are some restrictions on them. Generally, you are allowed to carry folding knives, utility knives, and kitchen knives provided you do not intend to use them for breaking the law.
However, if you carry these knives in a manner that makes them appear threatening or dangerous, you may be charged with having an illegal weapon.
Prohibited Knives and Forbidden Actions
There are knives that are prohibited from being owned, carried, or used in New Jersey. Among them are:
Gravity knives are those knives that open with the help of gravity or centrifugal force.
Automatic knife or switchblade: This is a knife that can open by itself when you trigger a button or switch.
Daggers, dirks, and stilettos are thought of as deadly because they were designed for stabbing purposes.
If you are found carrying one of the forbidden knives like a switchblade, you will be subjected to harsh penalties in the form of fines or even jail time. Other kinds of knives, such as hunting knives or machetes, may be illegal if you carry them with the intent of hurting or scaring people.
Open and Concealed Carry Laws
New Jersey doesn’t say you cannot openly or secretly carry a knife if you want to. The law says that carrying any knife can be illegal because of the suspicion of some form of illegal action.
If you carry a knife that is not for a legal reason, like a box cutter for work, it could be seen as a weapon, and you could be arrested if police think you are a threat.
When a person carries a knife, they need to store it in a place safely out of sight. Secondly, a person must use it only for legal reasons such as work, fishing or self defense. Bring the knife nowhere near the restrictive environment like schools, government premises or airport.
Defenses and Exceptions
There is no good reason to carry most knives in New Jersey. Claims of self-defense hardly ever work unless the knife was carried for a legal reason at the time of the attack, such as camping or hunting.
You can also defend yourself by carrying a knife for work, but you have to prove it.
Consequences of Violating Knife Laws
If you break New Jersey’s knife laws, you could face harsh punishments. If you are caught with a knife without a permit, you could face fines, probation, or even jail time, depending on the type of knife and how it was meant to be used.
Also, having a knife while committing a crime could lead to harsher punishments, even if it is legal to do so otherwise.
Final Tips for Knife Owners in New Jersey
To not cross the legal limits:
Don’t carry knives that are banned or use knives in a manner which can be perceived as dangerous.
Always carry knives with a valid reason and be mindful in public places.
Determine the knife laws in New Jersey, especially if you’re new to the state or carry knives frequently.
Using these tips and knowing New Jersey’s knife laws, you can exercise your rights lawfully and without trouble.
