Source: https://knifeup.com/maine-knife-laws/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 12:57:41+00:00

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The knife laws in Maine are very vague. Because of that, the average person will have a hard time determining if a certain type of knife is legal or illegal. This article will give you a clear idea of what the law means. It includes excerpts from the law as well as explanations of the law with case precedence.
It is legal to own switchblades, automatic knives, and balisong knives.
It is illegal to carry dirks, stilettos or switchblades.
B. Wear under the person’s clothes or conceal about the person’s person a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.
The law bans the concealed carry and threatening display of dirks, stilettos, and “other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.” Dirks and stilettos are slim, long knives that have a very sharp stabbing point. The law also states that it is 100% legal to conceal carry hunting, fishing, and trapping knives.
It is easy to understand what a dirk or a stiletto is and it is also easy to understand what a hunting, trapping, or fishing knife is but “other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person” is not very clear. What type of knife is a deadly weapon usually employed in the attack of others? How do you know if the knife you own is such a knife?
The case of State v. Jones in 2012 was a case that clarifies what knives are allowed to be carried concealed and what knives are not.
Jones was found walking down the street at 2am. After the police officer got out of his car to talk to him, Jones informs the officer that he is on probation, gives the officer his ID and allows the officer to search him. Note, at this point, Jones did not break any law and is obeying authority and following the terms of his probation.
The officer asks if Jones is carrying any weapons and he reports no. The officer pats down Jones to find two knives clipped to Jones’s pocket. The knives were folding knives with 3 inch, point tip blades. Jones’s shirt was covering the pocket, making it concealed. The officer arrested Jones for carrying a concealed weapon.
The court of appeals stated that the nature of the knife, not the situation that it was found, makes a knife “deadly or dangerous” and “usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.” Having a knife at 2 am does not make the knife dangerous or deadly. Also, a knife is a “deadly or dangerous” and “usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person” only if it can be proven that the knife was “designed for use against human beings or whether its primary function is to attack or defend a person.” If a knife was not designed for use against humans or its primary function is attack or defense, it can be carried concealed.
This is different from a lot of other states who have dangerous weapon clauses that take into account the nature of the weapon as well as the situation in which it was used. For example, in Iowa, a person was convicted of using a dangerous weapon when he smashed an ashtray on another person’s head. If that case took place in Maine, he would not have been guilty for that crime (but probably guilty of something else).
In 2015, Maine’s laws regarding manufacture/sale/distribution of/possession/carry of automatic knives were amended. In Title 17-A, Chapter 43: WEAPONS, statute 17-A §1055. Possession or distribution of dangerous knives was repealed. That means it is legal to possess, manufacture, display, offer, sell, lend or give away any knife that has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, or any knife having a blade that opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement.
Possession or distribution of a dangerous knife is no longer a Class D crime.
In Maine, it is legal to own any knife. If a knife has a utility purpose, it would not fall under the definition of dangerous knife based upon case precedence.
Note that there are also county laws that come into play with knife law so make sure you look up the law in your town. This is not legal advice and there is no client, lawyer relationship so talk to a lawyer if you need assistance.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comment box below.
State of Maine v. Jones. Docket No. And–11–475 (2012). Retrieved January 20, 2013, from findlaw.com.
State of Maine v. Michael M. Ken-00-649 (2001). Retrieved January 20, 2013, from courts.state.me.us.
State of New Mexico v. Riddell. 112 N.M. 78 (Ct.App. 1991). Retrieved January 20, 2013, from titleii.com.
Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon. 25 M.R.S. 2001-A (2012). Retrieved January 20, 2013 from LexisNexis database.
Possession or distribution of dangerous knives. 17-A M.R.S. 1055 (2012). Retrieved January 20, 2013 from LexisNexis database.
Could I carry the Benchmade SOCP?
I currently live in California, and I regularly open-carry my Buck Model 119. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this knife, it’s a fixed blade hunting knife with an overall length of about 10 inches and a blade length of 6 inches. I included an image of the knife below, for reference. I am possibly moving to Bangor, Maine soon, and I would like to know if I am still going to be able to carry it with me. I noticed the law specifies that a knife used for hunting is legal, but this knife could be considered intimidating and is similar in design to other knives that are specifically designed for use against humans, such as the Ka-Bar. Could one of you tell me if I’ll be allowed to carry it? And if I can, can I conceal carry? Or is it strictly open-carry only like California? Thanks.
Is there any chance that fixed blade carry laws will be clarified and hopefully eased so that typical working knives do not put their owners at risk of prosecution or loss of property?
‘daggers dirks and stillettos’ is a fine bit description, but it doesn’t specifically protect non-hunters, and that’s not ok.
yes you can open carry it. I live in Maine as well and i am about the same age as you are currently.
Like in most states, it all comes down to intent. What does it look like (to a police officer) that you’ll be doing with a 13-inch automatic weapon? Are you near a school or mall with the knife in your hand? You’ll get detained or charged if so. Are you on a camping trip in the wilderness? If so, you will almost certainly not receive any hassle at all. Those are my thoughts (not official legal advice).
Switchblades and butterfly knives are legal now.
(4) A person may shoot from a motor vehicle or motorboat in defense of life or property.
C. A person may not possess a wild animal or wild bird taken in violation of paragraph A or B, except as otherwise provided in this Part.
Sec. 2. 25 MRSA §2001-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24, is repealed.
A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law, display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.
Sec. 5. 25 MRSA §2004, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §3 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 6. 25 MRSA §2005, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §4 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.
Amends Maine’s hunting laws to allow a person to possess a loaded firearm or crossbow while in or on a motor vehicle or trailer or other type of vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle.
Amends the hunting laws to allow shooting from a motor vehicle or motorboat in defense of life or property. The bill does not amend Maine’s Criminal Code, which makes it unlawful to use deadly force (including the discharge of a firearm) in defense of personal property such as a motor vehicle or motorboat. It does not amend the Criminal Code provisions on use of deadly force in defense of a person.
Repeals the requirement in existing law that a person have a valid concealed handgun permit in order to carry a concealed handgun.
Amends existing law to allow persons to conceal under their clothes or about their person other dangerous or deadly weapons usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person, including firearms, a slungshot, brass knuckles, bowie knife, dirk or stiletto.
Repeals existing law that authorizes the Chief of the State Police to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states for recognition in each state of the other state’s concealed handgun permits.
As of April of this year, (2015) Maine became the 8th state to repeal the ban on switchblades. There’s more to it and again it’s not crystal clear wording but it does clearly repeal the precious ban.
So i can’t even own a benchmade balisong?
Can i wear (around my neck) a karambit neck knife in the open???
As long as the knife does not open automatically, you’re all set.
K Bar knives are meant for killing. Awesome Weapon….But I would not Carry that to Maine…Concealed or any other way.
Clayton, a bayonet would fall under the category of being “designed to harm a human being” so unfortunately, unless you’re licensed specifically in Maine to carry such a weapon, I would advise you against bringing it on this trip.
I will be visiting Maine on my motorcycle in a couple weeks. I usually carry a bayonet in my saddlebag. I am a retired soldier, is this type of knife legal in Maine?

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