Pocket knives are handy tools that can be used for many tasks, from camping to simple tasks around the house. But you should know the rules if you have a pocket knife in Georgia and don’t want to get in trouble with the state.
Georgia has rules about pocket knives that say what you can and can’t do with them. Before you carry a pocket knife in Georgia, read this blog to learn important facts.
A lot of people believe that Georgia’s knife laws are not as strict as those in other states.
No matter what, there are rules about what kinds of knives people can bring, especially in public. Those who know these rules and own or are interested in knives will not break the law.
What the law says about a knife
Georgia law says that a knife is “anything that cuts with a blade.” If you use this broad definition, it means all blades, like kitchen knives, pocket knives, and bigger knives with fixed blades, like hunting knives.
On the other hand, there are different rules for each size and type of blade you carry.
Limits on Blade Length
Georgia’s knife laws care a lot about how long the blade can be. A law in the O.C.G.A. (Law 16-11-125.1) says that anyone can carry knives with blades shorter than 12 inches without further permission or license.
This rule generally says that you can bring regular pocket knives with blades that are between 2 and 4 inches long with you without any problems.
But in Georgia, if the blade is more than 12 inches long, it might be considered a “weapon,” which means you can’t take it in some places.
Carry in public and carry in secret
Georgians can keep their pocket knives open or hidden most of the time, as long as the blade isn’t longer than what’s allowed by law. Your knife is easy to see when you open your carry. Your knife is hidden when you take it without drawing attention, like when you put it in your pocket or bag.
Even though Georgia has gun laws, people can still carry knives with blades longer than 12 inches as long as they follow them and get a Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWCL). The owner of these tools can carry them in public with this license, either out in the open or hidden.
Pocket knives: Where you can and can’t carry them
You can carry a pocket knife most of the time in Georgia, but not everywhere. It doesn’t matter how long the blade is. Here are some of these places:
Schools: In Georgia, knives are not allowed on school grounds because of strict rules. Schools from K–12, colleges, and universities all have rules that say you can’t bring any kind of knife on campus.
Government Buildings: Also, knives aren’t allowed in courthouses, police offices, and other public government buildings because of security checks.
Airports: It is against the law for people to bring small knives into airports that have security guards. In other words, you can’t bring them through TSA checks and onto planes. Knives, on the other hand, can be checked on trains.
Going to public events: You might not be able to bring knives to protests, concerts, or festivals, even if the blade length is okay. It is a good idea to look into the rules of the area before going to public events.
Laws about knives and self-defense
Georgia law says that people can use knives to protect themselves if they are about to be hurt by illegal force. The “Stand Your Ground” law in the state says that if you feel threatened, you can use any kind of force, even a knife, without giving up.
However, self-defense must be legal. If you use more force than is necessary to stop the harm, you could be breaking the law.
It’s important to know that even though pocket knives are legal, you could get in trouble with the law for things like assault or showing a weapon if you use them carelessly or dangerously.
Special Things to Think About for Minors
Ga does not let people younger than 18 carry knives as much as they do older people.
Kids under 18 can keep pocket knives with short blades, but knives with blades longer than 12 inches are generally not allowed. We also already said that kids can’t carry knives in places like schools because it’s against the law.
In conclusion
Ga has pretty clear knife laws, especially when it comes to pocket knives with small blades. Most people can carry pocket knives, but it’s important to know the rules about where you can’t carry knives, how to use them correctly, and how long the blade can be.