Understanding Knife Laws in Virginia

As anyone who’s capable of hosting a solid dinner party will know, what’s in your kitchen is every bit as important to being an enthusiastic and responsible host as any churched up cutlery. For example, the term legal knife blade length in Virginia … that means something a lot different from whatever line you learned from your parents. Kamal Auto TATA – a loyal Team Kamal customer – prides ourselves on offering our customers convenience and complete services. From tires and auto body touch-ups to any part replacement through quality used or OEM parts, we’ll fix your car right the first time, guaranteed. But your car is only part of you. You’re responsible for the way you behave on the road, in the shopping mall, in the hardware store. And that includes understanding the laws in the area you live in.

In Virginia, knife blade length matters – at least if you plan to actually carry a knife. Licensed Knife Owners Assoc. explains the pros and cons of knife blade length and being a Virginia resident. In Virginia, the law regarding knife ownership is split into two parts:

• For the technical types in the room, the law is set out, respectively, at VA Code §§ 18.2-311 and 18.2-311.2. The first bit of law applies to knives with blades longer than three inches. The second bit of law applies to all “switchblades,” also known as “automatic knives.”

It is important to understand that VA Code § 18.2-311.2 is NOT limited to “switchblades” as the term is commonly understood by the public. An automatic knife is generally understood to be a knife with a spring-loaded blade which is opened by merely pressing a button. A butterfly knife is a good example of an automatic knife. But in fact, the VA Code definition of an “automatic knife” also includes:

The term “automatic knife” also includes a knife commonly referred to as a “gravity dagger” which is a knife that has a blade which opens by force of gravity. Actually, the law refers to it as a “gravity knife” but as everyone knows a “gravity dagger” is a far more accurate description of one of these knives. A gravity dagger is one of those knives that you can open by flicking your wrist. These knives originated as a tool utilized by soldiers during World War II. They were used to sneak up on the enemy and stab them from behind. Recently, they have become popular among campers, scouts, and those who want a knife with good “stopping power.”

But did you know if you live in the great state of Virginia, you REALLY should think twice before carrying any type of knife – even if it is a pocket knife?

The Commonwealth of Virginia has two basic knife laws, which must be understood by any person who resides or visits this great State. The first law addresses knives with blade lengths in excess of 3 inches. These knives are traditionally referred to as “daggers.” The second law addresses knives which are classified as automatic knives, and these are more commonly referred to as “switchblades.” (“Automatic knives” are the same as “switchblades” knives).

Truth be told, if you live in the great state of Virginia, you should REALLY know and understand both laws since it is quite possible for you to end up with a felony criminal charge if you possess or carry any type of knife in any way prohibited by the law.

We’ll leave the discussion of automatic knives for another article. But for those of you who are wondering, no, Virginia, you can’t flip your knife upside down and flick it to open it, and then walk down the freeway with it in your pocket. You are still in violation of the law. You can find yourself charged with possession of an “automatic knife.” Busted.