Carrying Bowie Knives Legally

One of the great joys of having a Bowie knife is showing it off. Bowie knives are elegant weapons, versatile tools and represent one of the legendary items associated with the American Frontier. In fact, it is not exaggerating to say that the Bowie knife is as much an American legend as is the claymore a Scottish one.

Carrying a Bowie knife in public is legal in certain states. This would mean, of course, that it's perfectly fine to walk around any city in Arizona with a Bowie strapped to one's leg, one might assume. One would be wrong. City laws may trump state laws, in this case, and one may still be committing a crime by carrying a Bowie in certain areas in Arizona.

Federal property should always be considered off limits for carrying Bowie knives. Many of these sites have security which will immediately consider this a threat. Carrying most weaponry onto federal property is a felony, in the vast majority of cases. Leave the Bowie in the car when heading onto federal property.

A Bowie knife may also be prohibited by any private property owner. In a bar, it is generally illegal to have any sort of weapon. The bar and the state will generally prohibit carrying weapons. Always observe these rules, even if able to legally carry the Bowie in a concealed fashion. That final aspect of carrying a weapon addresses a whole other feature of weapons laws.

Concealment is a huge issue where weapons laws are concerned and it applies to Bowie knives. It may be legal to carry a knife on one's belt but not under one's jacket, for example. Make sure that the knife is clearly visible, in these cases. Even deliberately covering the knife with a long shirt or jacket tail may constitute concealing a weapon and represent a very serious offense.