Sword canes

[Sir Alexander]

I have an old foil blade, I wanted to make it into a sword cane.

My question is, would this be legal? Would a concealed foil blade count as a concealed weapon?

I live in Georgia but fence in Tennessee.

Thanks!

[Allen Evans]

You will have to check your local laws. In many states, sword canes are considered concealed weapons and are illegal.

On a more general note, foil blades make very poor sword blades.

[JS Hart]

So that being said, why would it be illegal? A foil "blade" isn't even a blade... it has no edge... It's not a knife, just a very long ice pick. Is there a "concealed ice pick law" that I don't know about?

I say do it.

[Downtown]

It has been my experience that police officers rarely debate that sort of thing.

It is not my job to tell you what to do, but it seems like a lot of work for something that has no function and can only get you in trouble.

[Sir Alexander]

I've got a police officer friend I'm going to ask. I just wanted to see what you guys thought.

Thanks!

[Allen Evans]

For example, CA Penal Code 12020(a)(1) makes it illegal to posses a "sword cane" without defining whether the edge has to be sharp or not. I beleive that Arkansas has a similar law, though I couldn't find it quickly.

And yes, generally, if you have an ice pick hidden on your person, one of the charges during your arrest will be carrying a "concealed or disguised weapon".

*shrug* I'm not an attorney (and obviously, neither is JS Hart) and I'm not in the position of giving legal advice, but it seems pretty clear to me that if you want to go to jail, there are less labor intensive ways to go about it.

[BenTheEMOP]

Is your goal to make into a sharp weapon or just something for show?

I always thought it would be kind of funny to build an electric one that you could pull out of a cane when someone asked you to fence. Of course, having no guard would be a problem, and it really did seem like it would be a lot more trouble than it was worth. (Also, I was having trouble figuring out the placement of the socket.)

[Philistine]

AIUI, most actual "sword canes" aren't cutting weapons, but stabbing weapons--so a lack of an edge doesn't really seem to change much if there is a point.

You should absolutely check your local laws--but from a quick internet search, you're probably out of luck in Georgia (or at least it's a pretty substantial risk).

The general law on concealed weapons is

A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, metal knuckles, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.

Ga Code § 16-11-126(a) (My emphasis).

Someone in Georgia was actually charged with carrying a sword cane--though this was shortly after 9/11. Link.

Tennessee--not sure. But here is a case where it seems to suggest that sword-cane in general is not illegal--because they charged him with bringing a weapon into court, not a general carrying concealed.

Note though that at least some cities have specific ordinances prohibitting sword canes. E.g. Nashville Metro Code § 11-36-110

A. It is unlawful for any person within the urban services district, to carry, publicly or privately, any dirk, razor concealed about his person, sword cane, loaded cane, slung-shot or brass knucks, Spanish stiletto, belt or pocket pistol, revolver or any kind of pistol, except the army or navy pistol usually used in warfare, which shall be carried openly.


B. It shall be the duty of every police officer who sees any person with or knows of any person carrying the weapons named in this section to immediately arrest every such person.

In any event--I'd do more than just a bit of internet checking and asking a police officer were I you if you decide to do it--especially in Georgia.

--Philistine

[Superscribe]

A foil blade with a heavy cant could be an awesome sword cane. With a little work, a visconti would make a great handle. You sharpen a foil, and guess what? it's sharp and light and has long reach. You stick it in a brace? You have this thing that can support you well, and can ruin someobody's day quick. Sharpen a foil blade and it's not hard to see the intent... which drives a lot of what you could be tried for. Obviously dangerous. Obviously intended to be a weapon. Obviously illegal.

[JS Hart]

I like the idea. Why don't you just apply for a concealed weapons permit?

[EldRick]

Most places a concealed carry permit is specifically for firearms: in many places, such as Oregon it is now called a "Concealed Handgun Permit". You can't get one in California anyway, unless you are Queen Dianne Feinstein.

It does not allow you to conceal a Bowie knife like the Mick the "Now that's a knoife," guy.

[Sir Alexander]

I like the idea. Why don't you just apply for a concealed weapons permit?

For one thing, I think you have to be at least 18, maybe 21.

I'm 16.


Phillistine, thanks for all the research! It was very helpful!

[Inquartata]

And yet, there are businesses which sell the things mail-order. Sword umbrellas, too...

Go figure.

Note that in Arizona you can conceal any weapon you like in your own home or on your property, owned or rented, without a permit. There are no age limits on possession of swords and knives, either.So this would be quite legal here, as long as you didn't go out in public with it. When you are old enough to get a permit, there are no limits on weapons covered: type, number or anything else ( except prohibited weapons, eg grenades, machineguns, etc). Nor do you need to specify what weapon it will cover.

Perhaps a move to a more enlightened state is in order.

[Nolano]

California definitely has laws restricting that sort of thing. Cold Steel is california based, yet sources it's sword canes because of the laws.
I imagine being 16 won't help, either.

And you can get a CHL in California, but it's harder. It's a "may issue" state instead of a "Shall issue" state like Oregon. The easiest way is if you have a job which puts you in obvious possible danger. IE, my uncle is a private investigator. But there are other ways.

[Inquartata]

The difficulty varies by county, I'm told. Easier in the rural hinterlands than in the cities, unless you are politically connected or friends with the local sheriff.

They don't even do reciprocity with other states.

Get with the program, CA! You are a western state whether you like it or not!

[EldRick]

Note that California covers most of the Left coast...

[Nolano]

The difficulty varies by county, I'm told. Easier in the rural hinterlands than in the cities, unless you are politically connected or friends with the local sheriff.

They don't even do reciprocity with other states.

Get with the program, CA! You are a western state whether you like it or not!

Yeah. It's silly. I'm also annoyed that Oregon doesn't do reciprocity. If it did, we'd have the most recognized CHL in the country due to our higher-than-average requirements for getting one.

Note: Western does not just mean us on the left coast.

[Greybeard]

The place where I purchased my cane "Fashionablecanes.com" sells sword canes. I travel a lot and TSA does not look favorably upon them.

[touchefriend]

Usually one is ok within the confines of their own home. Its when you venture out at 3am to hang out on a street corner that will get the attention of officaldom. Then it becomes a question of which state or county and your purpose for having the cane. I'm sure if you had the cane in your fencing bag with your other "weapons" and it retained the flat tip that you could carry it legally to the club and fence with the other sword cane fencers - but maybe only in certain states.

[I_luv_saber]

If it's in the bag, you'd probably get away with it. In that case, you could just claim it isn't a sword cane, just a sword with scabbard (which you could still take crap over, but you'd probably get away with).