By LawInspectsYes, it can be illegal to carry butterfly knife trainers in Washington D.C. Though, we get it, where this question actually comes from, like the trainers do not have sharp edges, and that’s why a lot of people out there think that it should be legal to carry them. Well, that is precisely where the gray area comes in, you see, there are some instances where you can get in trouble for carrying butterfly knife trainers, and as a citizen of the country, we’d like you to be aware of that. So, let’s just get to that for a moment.
What Exactly Is a Butterfly Knife Trainer?
We need to understand exactly what we are discussing here. A butterfly knife or a balisong is a folding knife whose two handles revolve around the blade. Nowadays, people principally perform flipping tricks with them as they appear attractive and eye-catching.
At present, a butterfly knife trainer is very similar visually to a butterfly knife; however, the main difference is that the trainer has no sharp parts. There isn’t a sharp edge, so it’s not allowed to be used to cut anything. Just for practice.
But still, although the law considers trainers safe in every aspect, it doesn’t always agree with them. Particularly in Washington, D.C., where the knife regulations are very severe. So let’s find out how the butterfly knife trainers’ laws affect them.
What Makes a Knife Illegal in D.C.?
In D.C., a knife may be referred to as an illegal item if it is characterized as a “dangerous weapon”. Moreover, the knife does not have to be big or sharp for it to be illegal. If the knife looks dangerous or seems like it could be used to injure someone, then that is sufficient.
A lot of other things that determine the effect of a knockout or if it will be seen as a red flag are your location, the way you handle it, and its appearance. Thus, it is possible that an unsuspicious folding knife still causes alert signals, roots of which are the incredible similarity of the folding knife to an actual butterfly knife.
Are Some Knives Fully Banned?
Of course. There are certain knives that you are not allowed to have in Washington, D.C. For instance, switchblades are one of those types that are totally forbidden in the capital area. It’s the kind that wings itself open by a button or a spring, right? These are very tightly restricted, and you are not allowed to use them under any circumstances.
Butterfly knives are not explicitly referred to in the legislation, but the authorities have still traced them through the legal cases. One example is the case where someone was arrested because a butterfly knife was found hidden under the car mat. The court defined it as a harmful weapon since it could be unfolded rapidly, similar to a switchblade.
What If You Carry One in Public?
In D.C., the visibility of your knife, either being open or concealed, does not really make a difference. If your knife is considered a dangerous weapon, you can be charged with carrying it (in any way) without any legal trouble.
Assuming your trainer is on your belt with a clip, or it is in your pocket. In the event that a police officer sees it and believes that it is an actual weapon, that may be sufficient to cause you trouble. At that time, the sharpness of the knife will not be a safety factor for you all the time.