Wall Street Journal Calls on Special Counsel Mueller to Resign
(Kathryn
Blackhurst, Lifezette) The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board warned
in an op-ed published Monday night that special counsel Robert Mueller
“is too conflicted to investigate the FBI and should step down in favor
of someone more credible” after reports surfaced Saturday indicating
that one of Mueller’s former staffers had sent anti-Trump text messages
to his girlfriend.
Robert Mueller (CBS News Youtube screen shot)
Several outlets reported Saturday that FBI investigator Peter Strzok
was ousted from Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s alleged
interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election during the summer
when Mueller discovered that Strzok had ridiculed Trump in texts with
Lisa Page, also a former member of the team. The WSJ editorial board
said it also was troubled by the Justice Department’s actions to
withhold information and documents from the House Intelligence Committee
“that would have exposed those texts.”
“Donald Trump is his own worst enemy, as his many ill-advised tweets
on the weekend about Michael Flynn, the FBI and Robert Mueller’s Russia
probe demonstrate,” the board wrote. “But that doesn’t mean that Mr.
Mueller and the Federal Bureau of Investigation deserve a pass about
their motives and methods, as new information raises troubling
questions.”
They WSJ noted
that the Justice Department “refused to answer questions about Mr.
Strzok’s dismissal and refused to make him available for an interview”
during congressional investigative proceedings. But when the stories
about Strzok began pouring out over the weekend, the Justice Department
agreed to authorize Strzok’s testimony for the House committee. RELATED: House Republicans Prepare Contempt Action Against FBI, DOJ
To make matters even worse, Strzok served as the No. 2 official in
the investigation into 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary
Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary
of state. Strzok also was present during the FBI’s interview with
Clinton just prior to former FBI Director James Comey’s public
exoneration of her.
“There is no justification for withholding all of this from Congress,
which is also investigating Russian influence and has constitutional
oversight authority,” the WSJ board wrote.
“All of this reinforces our doubts about Mr. Mueller’s ability to
conduct a fair and credible probe of the FBI’s considerable part in the
Russia-Trump drama,” the board added. “The reluctance to cooperate with a
congressional inquiry compounds doubts related to this clear conflict
of interest.”
The WSJ also lashed out at Mueller’s “media protectorate” that
“argues that anyone critical of the special counsel is trying to cover
for Mr. Trump.”
This isn’t the first time that the WSJ editorial board has criticized
Mueller and questioned whether or not the special counsel has been
compromised. The board made waves on October 25 when it wrote an op-ed
entitled, “Democrats, Russians and the FBI.”
At the time, the board was responding to the revelations that
Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) jointly
paid for the salacious and discredited Trump-Russia dossier that may or
may not have influenced the FBI’s initial investigation into the Trump
campaign and the Russian election interference.
“All of this also raises questions about Special Counsel Robert
Mueller’s investigation,” the WSJ board had written. “It is no slur
against Mr. Mueller’s integrity to say that he lacks the critical
distance to conduct a credible probe of the bureau he ran for a dozen
years. He could best serve the country by resigning to prevent further
political turmoil over that conflict of interest.”
And with this weekend’s revelations, the WSJ editorial board once
again renewed its concern about Mueller’s impartiality and credibility
to lead the Trump-Russia probe.
“The latest news supports our view that Mr. Mueller is too conflicted
to investigate the FBI and should step down in favor of someone more
credible,” the board concluded.
(Zero
Hedge) The rumblings that Special Counsel Mueller’s Russia
investigation is perilously compromised by political bias are about to
grow a whole lot louder.
Just a couple of days after it was revealed that FBI veteran, Peter Strzok, was removed from Mueller’s team
due to the discovery of anti-Trump text messages exchanged with a
colleague (whom he happened to be having an extra-marital affair with),
and hours after the WSJ editorial board called for Mueller to step down for being “too conflicted”, Judicial Watch has released emails obtained via FOIA that reveal another agent and a Mueller deputy, Andrew Weissmann,
praising former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates’ efforts to defy a
direct order from President Trump on the enforcement of his travel ban
executive order.
“I am so proud. And in awe. Thank you so much. All my deepest respects.”
The email from Weissmann came exactly 1 hour after Yates was relieved
of her duties with the Department of Justice by President Trump for
refusing to enforce his travel ban executive order. RELATED: Former Acting A.G. Admits Defying Trump Partly ‘As a Policy Matter’
Here was our summary of the firing and the White House’s official statement on Yates’ dismissal:
That “mutiny” did not last long. At 9:16pm on Monday, President Trump
announced the firing of the acting attorney general, Sally Yates, who
defied him just three hours earlier on his migrant-travel ban urging the
DOJ not to follow his executive order, saying she “has betrayed the
Department of Justice…”
“The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the
Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to
protect the citizens of the United States…”
Top Hillary Clinton Aides Faced No Charges for False Statements to FBI
(Breitbart)
FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was dismissed from FBI Special Counsel
Robert Mueller’s Russia probe for sending anti-Trump texts, conducted
interviews with two top Hillary Clinton aides — who did not face
consequences for reportedly making misleading statements during the
interviews.
The Daily Caller reports
that Clinton aides Cheryl Mills and Huma Abedin were interviewed by
Strzok and said they were not aware of Clinton’s use of a private email
server until after Clinton left the State Department.
“Mills did not learn Clinton was using a private server until after
Clinton’s [Department of State] tenure,” notes from Mills’ April 9, 2016
interview say, according to the Caller.
“Mills stated she was not even sure she knew what a server was at the time.” RELATED: Newly Released Hillary Emails Show Abuse of Classified Info & Donor Favors
Abedin also denied knowing about the server until 2013, but those
denials were contradicted by email exchanges in which both aides discuss
the Clinton server.
In a 2010 email, Mills asks Abedin and another aide if the “server
[is] ok?” after Clinton’s emails apparently went down. They were also
included in an August 2011 email wherein a State Department official
told them that Clinton’s “email server is down.”
But while former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn was
charged last week with making false statements to the FBI — an interview
also reportedly conducted by Strzok — no such consequences were handed
to the Clinton aides.
As the Caller notes, former FBI Director James Comey even defended
their false statements in September 2016 at a congressional hearing…
Plagued with sagging ratings, player protests and fan outrage, the NFL
has thrown a political Hail Mary by reportedly agreeing to dole out
millions to social-justice groups connected to Democratic billionaire
George Soros.
Under an agreement with the Players Coalition, NFL
owners plan to funnel tens of millions to the Dream Corps, a leftist
advocacy group led by ex-Obama adviser Van Jones and linked to Mr.
Soros, which has called for saving the Clean Power Plan, cutting the
prison population by half, and providing “sanctuary for all.”
The $89 million, seven-year deal also carves out millions for the Players Coalition,
according to ESPN, which has been advised by Soros-funded groups such
as the Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth and the Center for American
Progress, a leader of the anti-Trump resistance.
Still, there’s no guarantee that the hefty payout will solve the league’s public-relations woes.
The
bargain is aimed at addressing the social-justice concerns that have
led players to sit or kneel during the national anthem, but nothing in
the deal requires players to stand for the national anthem.
In
fact, two of the most dedicated protesters—Eric Reid of the San
Francisco 49ers and Michael Thomas of the Miami Dolphins—have vowed to
keep kneeling, describing the deal as inadequate.
SEE ALSO: NFL’s Olivier Vernon tells fans if they don’t like him kneeling, ‘don’t come to the game’
Meanwhile, details of the bargain emerging in the last few days have stunned conservatives.
“If this is how the NFL
plans to bring back the millions of Americans who are fed up with the
players’ antics and anthem protests, then the league just fumbled the
ball,” said Robert Kuykendall, spokesman for 2ndVote, a conservative
corporate watchdog group.
“Why would any conservative spend another dollar supporting the NFL if that dollar will be directly funneled to left-wing activists like Van Jones?” he asked. The
agreement distributes funding for both local and national efforts. On
the national side, the owners agree to pay $73 million over seven years,
with 25 percent earmarked for the United Negro College Fund and 25
percent to the Dream Corps.
The remaining 50 percent would be controlled by the Players Coalition,
which has filed for 501c3 and 501c4 tax-exempt status, as a fiscally
sponsored project of the Hopewell Fund, which is itself managed by
Arabella Advisors, a major player in the environmental movement.
Any agreement would need to be approved by the owners at the annual league meeting in March, according to ESPN. Players Coalition leader Malcolm Jenkins, a Philadelphia Eagles safety, celebrated the deal in an open letter Sunday, praising the NFL for “making a major commitment, more than they have done for any other charitable initiative.”
“What the NFL
has done is a good first step – it’s not going to solve the massive
problems we have in our cities and states across this country, but it’s a
start,” Mr. Jenkins said. “And, more importantly, I’m glad we were able
to get them to acknowledge their responsibility and role in trying to
help solve these problems and injustices.”
He also thanked “the organizations who have helped the Players Coalition
to date—the Fair Punishment Project, the ACLU, the Center for American
Progress, Community Legal Services, the Campaign for Fair Sentencing of
Youth,” as well as city police departments, grassroots groups and public
defenders.
At least three of those—the ACLU, Campaign for Fair
Sentencing of Youth and the Center for American Progress—have received
funding from Mr. Soros’s Open Society Foundations.
Mr. Soros’s
fingerprints can also be found on the Dream Corps, which merged in 2014
with Green for All, an environmental group founded by Mr. Jones in 2007
whose funders included Open Society as well as former Vice President Al
Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection, according to Discover the
Networks.
Mr. Jones resigned as President Barack Obama’s “green
jobs czar” in 2009 amid reports of his earlier Marxist activism,
including his oft-quoted declaration that he became a “communist” after
the 1992 acquittal of Los Angeles police officers who beat up Rodney
King.
Since then, Mr. Jones has championed the green-energy industry and raised his profile as a CNN political analyst.
The
Dream Corps has four primary projects: YesWeCode, which trains
disadvantaged young people as computer programmers; Cut50, which calls
for reducing the U.S. prison population by 50 percent; Green for All,
which advocates for an “inclusive green economy,” and the LoveArmy.
The
LoveArmy casts itself as a more hopeful and less negative resistance
group whose stances include support for net neutrality and opposition to
the Dakota Access pipeline, the Keystone XL pipeline and the Clean
Power Plan.
Mr. Jones wore a #LoveArmy sticker when he spoke Jan. 21 at the Women’s March, a major anti-Trump resistance event whose partners included the Dream Corps, which describes itself as a “social justice accelerator.
“This
movement is not going to let you mess with the Muslims,” Mr. Jones said
at the march. “This movement is not going to let you mess with the
Dreamers, President Trump.
We’re not going to let you mess with the women. We’re not going to let
you mess with the earth. We’re not going to let you mess with Black
Lives Matter. This movement is based on that kind of love.”
The
LoveArmy, whose posters include messages such as “Ban Wall/Sanctuary for
All,” also supported the Climate March and Day Without a Woman events.
About 40 players were involved in the Players Coalition, and others have criticized the agreement, accusing the NFL
of financing the deal by diverting funding from its other major
charitable initiatives, Salute to Service and Breast Cancer Awareness.
The NFL and the Players Coalition
did not return immediately a request for comment Monday. The NFL
Players Association, which is the players’ union, has said it was not
involved in the talks.
In his open letter, Mr. Jenkins said he helped form the Players Coalition
in 2016 in reaction to the deaths of black men at the hands of police,
and that the priorities include tackling the juvenile-justice system,
the “unjust bail policies,” the “mass incarceration of young black men”
and lack of jobs in low-income neighborhoods.
“What we’ve learned
is that this is not a Democrat or a Republican issue,” said Mr. Jenkins.
“It’s an American issue – and an American problem. That is why we are
moving forward with our efforts in the Coalition, to drive forward initiatives, campaigns and advocacy efforts to force legislators to make this a priority.”
Sixteen
players sat or took a knee before the Week 13 games, while Mr. Jenkins
stopped his previous practice of raising a fist during the national
anthem
Roy Moore Accuser Admits Making Unsupported Claims
‘It is my personal feeling that he doesn’t like blacks…’
Faye Gary/IMAGE: MSNBC via YouTube
(Breitbart) Faye Gary, a former police officer with the Gadsden
Police Department in Alabama, has been featured in the news in recent
days making the unsubstantiated claim that she was told to protect young
cheerleaders from Roy Moore at local ballgames.
Speaking in a Breitbart News interview on Wednesday, Gary falsely
claimed that Moore “wanted to keep segregation here in the south.”
She then claimed that Moore “hates Jews. He hates blacks. He hates Muslims. He hates gays.”
When challenged for specifics, Gary conceded that “I don’t know
exactly what he said about Jews, but he doesn’t like Muslims. I know he
doesn’t like Muslims. It is my personal feeling that he doesn’t like
blacks.” PREVIOUSLY: Roy Moore’s Accuser: ‘Stop Calling Me a Liar’
When further petitioned to support her charges, especially her claim
that Moore “hates blacks” and supports segregation, Gary further
admitted, “I am not sure. That is my feeling.”
The news media in recent days uncritically featured Gary making the undocumented claim
on MSNBC that as a police officer “we were also told to watch him at
the ball games to make sure that he didn’t hang around the
cheerleaders.”
The news media seemingly failed to vet Gary, with numerous articles
and the MSNBC interview not mentioning that Moore was the prosecutor in
an 1982 high profile case that sent her brother, Jimmy Wright, to prison
on charges of possession of a controlled substance.
This after a second charge, unlawful sale of a controlled substance, was dropped….
(AFP) The US news network ABC announced Saturday it had suspended its
chief investigative correspondent for four weeks without pay after he
was forced to correct a bombshell report on ex-Trump aide Michael Flynn.
Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI over his contacts
with Russia, a dramatic escalation of the sprawling investigation into
possible collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign team and Moscow. PREVIOUSLY: ABC Makes ‘Epic Mistake’, Retracts Bombshell Flynn Story
Brian Ross, a longtime ABC reporter, said during a special report
shortly thereafter that Flynn would testify that the president ordered
him to reach out to Moscow during the campaign — news that sent Wall
Street shares tumbling.
ABC later issued a clarification, saying its source had in fact
indicated that the orders from Trump came during the presidential
transition, after the November 2016 election.
“We deeply regret and apologize for the serious error we made
yesterday,” ABC said in a statement, adding that the special report “had
not been fully vetted through our editorial standards process.”
“It is vital we get the story right and retain the trust we have
built with our audience –- these are our core principles,” the statement
continued.
“We fell far short of that yesterday.”
Trump quickly jumped on Twitter to praise ABC’s move:
“Congratulations to @ABC News for suspending Brian Ross for his
horrendously inaccurate and dishonest report on the Russia, Russia,
Russia Witch Hunt. More Networks and ‘papers’ should do the same with
their Fake News!”
Flynn’s guilty plea, on a federal charge of making false statements
to investigators, came with a pledge to cooperate with special
prosecutor Robert Mueller.
Mueller’s focus goes beyond possible collusion with Russia to shady
business dealings and whether Trump himself tried to thwart the
investigation.
The White House rejected the idea that Flynn could implicate “anyone” else, as the inaccurate ABC report had suggested.
Ross also took to Twitter to comment on the blunder: “My job is to
hold people accountable and that’s why I agree with being held
accountable myself.”
Getting caught or crossing state lines with an illegal knife or
switchblade can lead to serious consequences like fines or even jail
time, so it’s important to know your state’s knife laws and the knife
laws of any state you may travel to.It is important to remember that
state laws are not always the same as the local or federal laws. Every
state has its own law when it comes to carrying a switchblade and the
only federal law is the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 and the 2009
amendment to the act which applies to individuals who are traveling
between states and internationally. To better understand each law, below
are the 50 states along with their knife laws.
What is Legal in Alabama
Alabama has some of the best knife laws in the US. If you don’t like
legal speak, here are the basics of what knives are legal under Alabama
knife laws.
Balisongs/butterfly knives are legal.
Switchblades, gravity knives, automatic and assisted opening knives are legal.
Stilettos, dirks, and toothpick knives are legal.
All folding knives are legal.
Bowies are legal if carried open (like on your hip).
Bowies are legal to carry concealed if you are on your own property.
Double sided knives are legal, no matter the size.
If the knife fits in your pocket, it is legal.
Out the front knives are legal.
What is Illegal in Alabama
Bowies and things like Bowies are illegal if concealed.
Bowies are illegal to have in your vehicle.
A machete might be classified as a Bowie and it would be illegal if you carry it concealed.
An 11″ butcher knife has been found to be like a Bowie in court so don’t plan on using it in a crime.
Dirks, daggers, push knives, and stilettos are legal.
Bowie knives and other large blades are legal.
Disguised knives like belt knives, pen knives, cane knives, and lipstick knives are legal.
Balisong/butterfly knives are in a legal gray area.
Ballistic knives are illegal.
Gravity knives and switchblades are legal. (SB 008 removes gravity knives and switchblades from the State’s definition of illegal weapons.)
These knives are illegal to carry concealed in Colorado:
All knives less than 3.5 inches are legal.
All fishing and hunting knives of any length are legal.
All knives over 3.5 inches are illegal.
7. Connecticut Knife Laws
All Knives Are Legal to Own in Connecticut:
Balisongs, automatic knives, gravity knives, and switchblades are legal to own.
Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and push knives are legal to own.
Disguised knives like lipstick knives, cane knives, and boot knives are legal to own.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal to own.
Basically, any knife is legal to own and have in your home.
Some Knives Can Not be Carried (Open or Concealed):
Automatic knives over 1.5 inches are illegal.
Switchblades over 1.5 inches are illegal.
Stilettos are illegal.
Blades longer than 4 inches are illegal.
8. Delaware Knife Laws
Knives that are Banned in Delaware
Balisong knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane knives are legal.
Throwing knives are legal.
Stilettos, dirks, and daggers are legal.
Knives that will not set off metal detectors and have a pointed tip are illegal.
Knives with brass knuckles are illegal.
Switchblades and gravity knives are illegal.
Throwing stars are illegal.
If a knife does not fall into any of the illegal categories above, it is legal to own. Limits to Carrying Knives
It is legal to carry a 3-inch pocket knife concealed.
Other than a 3-inch pocket knife, carrying any other type of knife concealed is illegal.
If the knife is not banned, you can carry it in the open. Only
concealed carry is limited. Concealed means close enough by you that you
can readily use it while being covered by something. Having a knife in
your car counts as being concealed.
9. Florida Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Florida
Balisong knives are legal.
Belt knives, cane knives, and other disguised knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.
Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors) are legal.
Ballistic knives are illegal.
The law does not limit individuals from owning, selling, or buying any knife except for ballistic knives. Limits on Carry
You can open carry any knife.
Box cutters, multi-tools, and other work knives are legal to carry concealed.
In most cases, conceal carry of a common pocket knife with a blade of less than 4 inches is legal.
Anything outside of this has not been expressly banned or allowed.
10. Georgia Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Georgia
Balisong knives often called butterfly knives, are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.
Disguised knives such as cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal.
Push knives, stilettos, switchblades, dirks, and daggers are legal.
Spring assisted ballistic knives are legal.
Knives that are undetectable with a metal detector are legal.
In Georgia, there are no limits on the possession of knives. You
can own any knife you want. There are only limits on carry knives. Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, a knife larger than 5 inches without a permit.
For knives greater than 12 inches, you need a weapons permit. (HB 292 increases the legal length of a knife blade to carry to 12 inches.)
11. Hawaii Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Hawaii
Bowie knives and other large knives.
Throwing stars and throwing knives.
Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and push knives.
Undetectable knives (knives that won’t set off metal detectors).
Dirks, daggers, and stilettos
Balisong knives
It is illegal to own switchblades.
Only balisongs and switchblades are banned in Hawaii. Any other type of knife is legal. Limits on Carry
You can open carry any knife.
You can not conceal carry dirks, daggers, and knives similar to that.
You can not conceal carry knives with knuckles like some WWI trench knives.
You can conceal any other type of knife.
12. Idaho Knife Laws
No Knife Ban
Balisong knives are legal.
Switchblades, automatic knives, and other quick release knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.
Stilettos, dirks, and other stabbing knives are legal.
Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, cane knives, and key knives are legal.
Spring assisted ballistic knives are legal.
Pocket knives of any size are legal.
Age Restrictions on Possession
Need parental consent to possess a bowie or dirk if under 18.
Can not possess a bowie or dirk if under 12 unless your parents are with you.
There is no ban on the possession of any type of knife in Idaho.
You can buy and own any knife you want. However, taking it outside of
the house is a different situation. Limits on Carry
It is legal to open carry any knife.
It is illegal to bring any knife (open or concealed) besides a 2.5″ pocket knife to school.
It is illegal to conceal carry any dirk, bowie, or dangerous weapon.
It is illegal to conceal carry a knife, even if you have a permit, when intoxicated.
13. Illinois Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Illinois
Balisong knives are legal.
Disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal.
Throwing knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Throwing stars are illegal.
Ballistic knives are illegal.
Switchblades and other automatic knives are legal. (SB 607 would allow individuals to carry automatic knives when in possession of their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.)
The state of Illinois only banned the possession of throwing
stars, switchblades, ballistic knives, and knives that open with a press
of the button. Limits on Carry
You can carry any knife as long as it is not one of the banned knives
listed above and that you do not have the intent to harm someone or
break the law.
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives are legal.
Ballistic knives are illegal.
Only ballistic knives are outlawed in Iowa law. Limits on Carry
It is legal to open carry any knife.
It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade.
It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger or stiletto.
It is illegal to conceal carry a knife whose blade is greater than 5 inches.
It is illegal to conceal carry a balisong knife.
It is illegal to conceal carry disguised knives like cane swords and lipstick knives.
16. Kansas Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Kansas
Bowies and other large knives.
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives.
Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane swords.
Switchblades and other automatic knives.
Gravity knives
Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors)
What is Illegal to Own in Kansas
It is illegal to own ballistic knives.
It is illegal to own throwing stars
17. Kentucky Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Kentucky
Ballistic knives
Balisong knives
Switchblades and other automatic knives
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives
Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane knives
Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors)
Bowie knives and other large knives
There are no banned knife types in Kentucky. What is Legal to Carry in Kentucky
It is legal to open carry any knife.
It is legal to conceal carry any ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife.
Anything besides a pocket or hunting knife can be considered a deadly weapon and would be banned from concealed carry.
18. Louisiana Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own Louisiana
Balisong knives, also called butterfly knives
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives
Disguised knives like belt knives
Undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors
Throwing stars and throwing knives
Bowie knives and other large knives
It is illegal to own switchblades and other automatic knives.
The only banned knife in Louisiana are switchblades. However, if
you are a law enforcement officer, you might be able to get an
automatic opening knife because there is an exemption for “rescue
knives” in the law. Limits on Carry
Any knife is legal for open or concealed carry as long as it is not a switchblade.
19. Maine Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Maine
Bowie knives and other large knives
Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other slim knives
Throwing stars and throwing knives
Disguised knives like cane knives, belt knives, and lipstick knives
It is illegal to own switchblades, automatic knives, and balisong knives.
The only banned types of knives are automatic opening knives. Balisong knives were found to fall under this category. What is Legal to Carry in Maine
It is legal to carry any knife in the open.
It is illegal to carry daggers, stilettos, and knives designed for harming others.
Any knife outside of those 3 is legal to conceal carry.
The law bans the carry of “other dangerous or deadly weapon
usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.” This means
that, as long as the knife was not designed to attack other people, it
is fine to carry concealed.
20. Maryland Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Maryland
A balisong knife, also called butterfly knife
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives
Switchblades, gravity knives, and automatic knives
Ballistic knives
Disguised knives like belt knives and lipstick knives
Throwing stars and throwing knives
Undetectable knives
Bowie knives and other large knives
There is no limitation on the type of knife you can own in Maryland. Limits on Carry
You can not conceal carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife.
You can not open carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife with the intent to harm someone.
You can open or conceal carry any sized pocket knife you wish.
If a knife is not listed above, it is most likely to be legal for concealed or open carry.
21. Massachusetts Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Massachusetts
Balisong knives also called butterfly knives, are legal to own.
Switchblades and automatic knives are legal to own.
Ballistic knives are legal to own.
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and push knives are legal to own.
Knives with brass knuckles are legal to own.
Disguised knives like cane knives and lipstick knives are legal to own.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal to own.
Throwing knives and throwing stars are legal to own.
There is no knife ban in Massachusetts. Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, switchblades, dirks,
daggers, stilettos, ballistic knife, double edge knives, and knuckle
knives.
It is illegal to carry anything perceived as dangerous while disturbing the peace or being arrested.
Folding knives, Swiss army knives, and kitchen knives are legal to
carry as long as you do not behave in a way that makes them dangerous.
22. Michigan Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Michigan
Butterfly knives also called balisong knives, are legal.
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives are legal.
Throwing knives and throwing stars are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Hidden knives like belt knives and lipstick knives are legal.
Undetectable knives (knives that do not set off metal detectors) are legal.
Switchblades, automatic knives, and gravity knives are illegal.
What is Illegal to Carry in Michigan
It is illegal to carry (either concealed or otherwise) dirks,
stilettos, daggers, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any
length or any other dangerous weapon in any vehicle occupied or
operated by the person. With the exception of a hunting knife adapted
and carried as such.
On top of this, you can not carry a dangerous weapon with intent to harm.
Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other stabbing knives are legal to own.
Disguised knives like lipstick knives are legal to own.
Bowie knives are legal to own.
Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal to own.
All other knives are legal to own.
Only switchblades are illegal.
What is Legal to Carry in Minnesota
Knives with utility purposes are legal to carry.
Knives that can be used as weapons are legal to carry as long as you do not have the intent to harm others.
It is illegal to recklessly use a knife designed to be a weapon.
It is illegal to carry a knife designed to be a weapon (and not a tool) with the intent to harm others.
24. Mississippi Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Mississippi
Balisong knives, also called butterfly knives
Dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other slim knives
Disguised knives like belt knives
Undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors
Throwing stars and throwing knives
Bowie knives and other large knives
Switchblades, gravity knives, and automatic knives
Mississippi does not restrict ownership of any type of knife for
those over the age of eighteen, who have not been convicted of a
felony. What is Illegal to Own in Mississippi
It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a:
Bowie knife
Dirk knife
Butcher knife
Switchblade
Limits on Carry
It is illegal to carry concealed any bowie knife.
It is illegal to carry concealed any dirk knife.
It is illegal to carry concealed any butcher knife.
It is illegal to carry concealed any switchblade or automatic knife.
You may carry any knife concealed if it is concealed in your vehicle, and not on your person.
You may carry any knife concealed if you are participating in a sports activity where such a knife is legitimately used.
You can open carry any knife in Mississippi unless you are a minor or a student on educational property.
25. Missouri Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Missouri
Dirks, stilettos, and other slim knives
Boot knives and other daggers
Balisong knives, sometimes called butterfly knives
Undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors
Throwing stars and throwing knives and even throwing axes
Bowie knives and other large knives
What is Illegal to Own in Missouri
It is a Class C Felony to own a switchblade knife in Missouri, unless
the person possessing the switchblade is in compliance with
the applicable federal law. The federal law, which governs possession of
switchblades, is 15 USC Chapter 29. The law allows a person to possess
and/or carry a switchblade on or about his person if the blade is less
than three inches long and the person has only one arm, or the knife
contains a spring or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward
closure of the blade.
26. Montana Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Montana
Dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other push knives
Balisong, or butterfly knife
Bowie knife, or other large knives
Throwing knives or throwing stars
Disguised knives such as cane knives and lipstick knives
It is legal to carry a blade with 4 or more inches in length from the list of illegal concealed weapons. (HB 251 is effective on October 1, 2017.)
What is Illegal to Own in Montana
A switchblade knife is illegal to own in Montana unless you are a
collector who is registered with the Sheriff in the county where your
collection is kept.
Limits on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk.
It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger.
It is illegal to possess or carry any knife with a four-inch blade or longer in a school building.
It is illegal to conceal carry any weapon while intoxicated.
It is illegal to conceal carry a weapon into a government office,
bank or financial institution, or a place that sells alcohol for onsite
consumption.
It is illegal to conceal carry any “deadly weapon.”
It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own in Montana.
It is legal to carry any knife that is legal to own in your vehicle, concealed or openly.
27. Nebraska Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Nebraska
Balisong knives are legal to own.
Bowie knives are legal to own.
Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal to own.
Ballistic knives are legal to own.
Disguised knives like cane knives, lipstick knives, and belt knives are legal to own.
Switchblades and automatic knives are legal to own.
What is Illegal to Own in Nebraska
It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony to own a knife.
It is illegal for a person who is a fugitive to own a knife.
It is illegal for a person subject to a domestic violence protective order to own a knife while knowingly violating such order.
Nebraska L 558
redefined the term “knife” for certain provisions of the criminal code
to allow hunters and anglers to possess knives with blades over 3 and
1/2 inches. Signed on April 27 and effective on September 2017.
28. Nevada Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Nevada
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Balisong or butterfly knife
Bowie and other hunting knives
Throwing knives and throwing stars
What is Illegal to Own in Nevada
Any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle
Switchblade knives
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to possess or carry a dirk, dagger, or switchblade
on school or childcare facility property or in a vehicle owned by a
school or childcare facility.
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk.
It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger.
It is illegal to conceal carry a machete.
It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle.
It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which could be considered a dangerous or deadly weapon.
It is legal to conceal carry a pocketknife.
It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own.
29. New Hampshire Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, it is legal to own any type of knife, as long
as you have not been convicted of a felony against the person or
property of another or of a felony drug-related offense. Yes, machetes
are legal.
What is Illegal to Own in New Hampshire
It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony against
the person or property of another or of a felony drug-related offense
to possess a:
Stiletto
Dirk or dagger
Switchblade knife
knife considered as a deadly weapon
30. New Jersey Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in New Jersey
Balisong or butterfly knife
Disguised knives like lipstick knives
Bowie knife
Throwing stars and throwing knives
Any weapon for which a person has an explainable lawful purpose for owning
What is Illegal to Own in New Jersey
It is illegal to own any weapon, with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another.
It is illegal for a person convicted of certain crimes (see below)
to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other
dangerous knife.
It is illegal for certain mentally ill people to own a gravity
knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife.
It is illegal to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger,
stiletto, or other dangerous knife with any explainable lawful purpose.
A conviction for aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape,
extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault,
sexual assault, bias intimidation, possession of a prohibited weapon,
possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose, manufacture or transport
of a prohibited weapon, unlawful possession or sale of a controlled
dangerous substance, or endangering the welfare of a child prevents a
person from owning certain types of knives in New Jersey.
31. New Mexico Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in New Mexico
Bowie knife
Throwing stars or knives
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
What is Illegal to Own in New Mexico
Switchblade
Balisong or butterfly knife
32. New York Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in New York
Hunting knife
Dirk or dagger
Stiletto
What is Illegal to Own in New York
Switchblades and swords
Pilum ballistic knife
Metal knuckle knife
Cane sword
Throwing stars
It is illegal to own any knife if you are not a U.S. citizen.
It is illegal to own any knife adapted for use primarily as a weapon.
It may be illegal to own a gravity knife, without a valid hunting and/or fishing license.
Just by having a banned knife in one’s possession already gives
the presumption that he or she intends to use it unlawfully against
someone else as stated in one state law.
In addition, people under 16 years of age are not allowed to have “any
dangerous knife” in their possession. They can be considered as a
juvenile delinquent should they be convicted.
Please see more of the New York Penal Code § 265.01.
33. North Carolina Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in North Carolina
Bowie knife
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Switchblade
Gravity knife
Disguised knife, such as in a pen or lipstick
What is Illegal to Own in North Carolina
Any spring-assisted projectile knife
Ballistic knife
Any weapon of similar character to a projectile or ballistic knife
34. North Dakota Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in North Dakota
It is legal to own any type of knife in North Dakota. North Dakota has no laws making it a crime to own any kind of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry:
Gravity knives or switchblades
Machetes
Scimitars, backswords, or sabers
Stilettos
Swords
Dirks or daggers
Any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer
It is legal to open carry any type of knife
35. Ohio Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Ohio
Switchblade or gravity knife
Balisong, or butterfly knife as well as Balisong trainers
Ballistic knife
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife
Bowie knife
Stiletto
What is Illegal to Own in Ohio
It is legal to own any type of knife in Ohio.
36. Oklahoma Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Oklahoma
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Bowie knife
Switchblade or gravity knife
Cane sword
Balisong, or butterfly knife as well as Balisong trainers
Stiletto
What is Illegal to Own in Oklahoma
It is not illegal to own any kind of knife in Oklahoma.
Restrictions on Carry
The following are illegal to conceal or open carry:
Dagger
Bowie knife
Dirk knife
Switchblade knife
Spring-assisted knife
Sword cane
A knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure
applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife
Any “offensive weapon”
As the no carry law states that it is illegal to carry a weapon,
“upon or about” the person, Oklahoma’s no carry law extends to items
carried in a vehicle, not just on a person.
37. Oregon Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Oregon
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Bowie knife
Switchblade or other automatic knives
Ballistic knife
Gravity knife
Balisong, or butterfly knife and Balisong trainer
Stiletto
What is Illegal to Own in Oregon
Oregon law does not restrict the ownership of any type of knife for
those who have not been convicted of a felony. As a matter of fact, in
1984 in State v. Delgado, the Supreme Court of Oregon found
that former Oregon statute § 166.510(1) was unconstitutional because it
prohibited the mere possession and mere carrying of a weapon. The Court
believed that restricting the possession and open carrying of weapons
for non-felons was a violation of a person’s right to bear arms under
the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.
38. Pennsylvania Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Pennsylvania
Bowie knife
Balisong or butterfly knife
Penknife
Concealed knife, such as in a lipstick or belt buckle
Any kind of hunting knife
What is Illegal to Own in Pennsylvania
Dagger
Automatic knife
Sword cane
Any implement for the infliction of bodily injury, which serves no “common lawful purpose”
39. Rhode Island Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Rhode Island
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Sword cane
Concealed knife, such as in a belt buckle or lipstick
Bowie knife
Balisong or butterfly knife
Switchblade
What is Illegal to Own in Rhode Island
It is not illegal to own any type of knife in Rhode Island, so long as you do not intend to use it unlawfully against another.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry the following:
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Sword cane
Bowie knife
Any knife with a blade more than 3 inches in length
It is legal to open carry any type of knife in Rhode Island
40. South Carolina Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in South Carolina
Switchblade
Balisong, or butterfly, knife
Bowie knife
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
A disguised knife, such as in a lipstick or belt buckle
What is Illegal to Own in South Carolina
It is legal to own any type of knife in South Carolina.
Restrictions on Carry
It is legal to conceal carry the following:
Dirk
Switchblade knife
Balisong, or butterfly knife
Bowie knife
Stiletto
41. South Dakota Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in South Dakota
Switchblade or any type of automatic knife
Ballistic knife
Balisong or butterfly knife
Bowie knife
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Sword cane
Disguised knife, such as in a belt buckle or lipstick
What is Illegal to Own in South Dakota
It is not illegal to own any type of knife in South Dakota.
In 2006, the legislature repealed the only law prohibiting
ownership of any type of knife. The former statute, 22-14-19, made it
illegal for a person to own, possess or sell a ballistic knife. Restrictions on Carry
Any knife may be carried openly or concealed.
South Dakota’s statutes discuss dangerous weapons and carrying
concealed weapons, however neither of the statutes apply to knives, as
its definition of “concealed” is “any firearm that is totally hidden
from view.”
42. Tennessee Knife Laws
SB 1771 by *Bell, Summerville, Green. (HB 1883 by *Dennis, Faison, Holt.) Weapons – As enacted, makes lawful the sale,
transfer, ownership, possession and transportation of switchblade knives
and knives with a blade length in excess of four inches; increases from
$3,000 to $6,000 the maximum fine for possessing a switchblade knife
with the intent to employ it during the commission of a dangerous
felony. – Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13. Fiscal Summary
Increase State Expenditures – $5,000/Incarceration* Increase Local
Revenue – Not Significant Decrease Local Expenditures – Not Significant Bill Summary
This bill makes multiple changes to the laws governing switchblade knives, as follows:
(1) This bill removes switchblade knives from the list of weapons
that it is an offense for an individual to intentionally or knowingly
possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell;
(2) This bill removes the offense of knowingly or intentionally selling,
loaning, or making a gift of a switchblade knife to a minor;
(3) This bill removes the offense of a person carrying a knife with a blade exceeding four inches with the intent to go armed;
(4) Under present law, it is a Class E felony to possess any deadly
weapon (other than a firearm) with the intent to employ it during the
commission of, attempt to commit, or escape from any offense not defined
as a dangerous offense. Under this bill, if the weapon is a switchblade
knife, the maximum fine for the Class E felony will be increased from
$3,000 to $6,000;
(5) This bill makes it an offense for a person to employ a switchblade
knife during the commission of, attempt to commit, or escape from a
dangerous offense. This offense will be a Class D felony; and
(6) This bill authorizes individuals to purchase and have shipped directly to the individual’s home a switchblade knife. ON MARCH 3, 2014, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1771, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 removes the provision of the bill that would have made
it a Class D felony offense for a person to employ a switchblade knife
during the commission of, attempt to commit, or escape from a dangerous
offense. Read more…
43. Texas Knife Laws
What is Legal to Carry in Texas Texas HB 1935
signed into law there will be no restrictions on the carry of knives
except with blades over 5 1/2 inches effective on September 1, 2017. What is Illegal to Carry in Texas
Disguised knife, such as a lipstick or belt buckle
What is Illegal to Own in Utah
Utah law creates two categories of people who may not own certain weapons, defined as “dangerous weapons”. A category I restricted person is someone who:
has been convicted of a violent felony under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5
is on probation or parole for any felony
is on parole from a facility is under contract with the Division of
Juvenile Justice Services, that provides 24-hour supervision and
confinement for youth offenders who have been committed to the division
for custody and rehabilitation
has been adjudicated delinquent, within the last 10 years, for an
offense that if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony
under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5
is illegally or unlawfully in the United States
45. Vermont Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Vermont
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Bowie knife
Disguised knife, such as a lipstick or belt buckle
Throwing stars or knives
What is Illegal to Own in Vermont
It is illegal to own a switchblade with a blade that is 3 inches or longer.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to carry openly or concealed a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent of using it to harm another.
It is illegal to carry openly or concealed a dangerous or deadly weapon onto school or government property.
Vermont law does not place any other restrictions on the
carrying of knives. In 1903, in State v. Rosenthal, Vermont’s Supreme
Court said that under the general laws, a person may carry a dangerous
or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, unless he did it with the intent
or avowed purpose of injuring another.
46. Virginia Knife Laws
What’s legal in Virginia?
It’s legal to own:
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Bowie knife
Switchblade
Ballistic knife
Throwing stars or other throwing knives
Stiletto
Balisong, or butterfly knife
Restrictions in carry:
It is illegal to conceal carry:
Dirk
Bowie knife
Switchblade knife
Machete
Ballistic knife
Throwing stars or oriental darts
Any knife similar to one of the above-listed knives
Disguised knives, such as a lipstick or belt buckle
Throwing stars
What is Illegal to Own in Washington
It is illegal to own a switchblade or other spring blade knife in the state of Washington. Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk.
It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger.
It is illegal to conceal carry any dangerous weapon.
It is illegal to open or conceal carry any weapon into a Courtroom.
It is also illegal to carry or display a dagger, sword, knife,
or other cutting or stabbing instrument in a manner or under
circumstances that would cause alarm or show an intent to intimidate
another. In 1994, in State v. Spencer, the Supreme Court of
Washington held that there must be a sufficient basis for the alarm,
such that a reasonable person would be alarmed. Also in 1994, the Court
held, in State v. Byrd, that because the display of a weapon in
a manner that caused reasonable fear or alarm could be done without
intent, a violation of the statute did not require intent. This means
that one does not have to intend to cause alarm or fear in order to be
guilty of a crime under the statute.
48. West Virginia Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in West Virginia
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Switchblade
Balisong or butterfly knife
Bowie knife
Ballistic knife
What is Illegal to Own in West Virginia
West Virginia law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife. Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry the following:
Dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knives with a blade over 3 ½ inches
Switchblade, or any automatic knife
Gravity knife
Balisong, or butterfly knife
Any instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds
Any “deadly weapon”
49. Wisconsin Knife Laws
Legal to Own and Carry in Wisconsin
Any kind of knife
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to carry a knife concealed or otherwise if a person has a criminal or malicious intent to harm others.
50. Wyoming Knife Laws
What is Legal to Own in Wyoming
Switchblade
Balisong or butterfly knife
Bowie knife
Dirk, dagger, poniard, or other stabbing knives
Stiletto
Gravity knife
What is Illegal to Own in Wyoming
Wyoming law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a deadly weapon in Wyoming.
