Question: I carry a knife on me most of the time. Is that as wrong as carrying a gun?

[Gravitycollapse]

It's a Benchmade 530. This exact one actually (although mine has a small serrated section just above the base of the blade):



I use it mostly for utility, cutting boxes and rolls of printer paper at work. But I also consider it a defensive weapon. Not that I think I'll likely ever have to use it. But it's always there if the need arises.

I tend to frown upon carrying firearms. Not to long ago, I use to own a S&W 5906 and I open carried a couple times just to see what it felt like. I didn't like it. In fact, I tired of the guns in general and sold them all off.

But I still carry my knife. For those who don't support the carry of firearms, do you also consider the carry of defensive knives just as bad?

[LearningCurve]

1. Since when is carrying a gun bad?

[Recursion]

2. Stabbing rates are essentially comparable to shooting rates nationwide

But whereas about 1 in 7 shootings are fatal, about 1 in 15 stabbings are.



I carry a knife in that there's one on my Leatherman. It would be defensively about as useful as a fountain pen.

[sarisataka]

52. I always carry a pen

even on an airplane
http://ezinearticles.com/?Martial-Arts-Training---Using-a-Pen-For-Self-Defense&id=3661599

[Buns_of_Fire]

60. Shhhhh... Don't give the TSA any ideas on what to ban next. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

55. By the time I fished out the knife on my Leatherman,

it'd be quicker to open up the pliers and pinch someone to death.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. I carry a knife, too. It's handy for a variety of things that come up,

but it could possibly be used for defense. There's nothing wrong with carrying a knife as long as you don't plan to cut purses or make unprovoked attacks with it. It's all about intentions, in my opinion.

[geckosfeet]

4. I support the carry of firearms. But I do have a comment.

There are at least 8 million concealed carry permits nationwide (underestimate).
Concealed-Carry Gun Permits Soar Nationwide As State Requirements Ease

That means statistically speaking out every 100 people you see on the street, in the store, church, at work or your favorite restaurant, that about 2.28 people have their permit and are potentially carrying a firearm.

This of course is very rough estimate that includes children in the general population etc. The actual number would be higher.

on edit: Full disclosure: I am usually carrying a ZT or Kershaw and a 9mm or .45.

[barbiegeek]

26. I have a concealed weapon question. hope you respond

My state recently in the last couple of years has switch a conceal and carry state. Living here all my life, I've always had a safety feature in mind. Before the conceal permits, if I saw a side arm at a store or such, I figured one of 2 things-it was an off duty officer or a criminal. If they looked nothing like a cop in their haircut or how they acted-I left the business, store, gas station, or restaurant. Now with new concealed weapon permit I feel all confused with how I am to react when I see a concealed gun. Any thoughts on telling the difference now? It's just something new, I'm having a hard time adjusting with.

[geckosfeet]

32. There is a saying - "concealed means concealed".

In other words, if you can see it, it is not concealed.

Not sure about your state but most states have some kind of brandishing law. Usually, even if you accidentally expose your firearm you can be charged with brandishing.

In my state (MA) there is no law explicitly prohibiting open carry but if you do open carry and someone sees your firearm and calls the police because "he has a gun", the police will usually treat you like a criminal until all the facts are in. You could lose or have your license suspended. You could have your firearms confiscated. You will end up in court. It is simply not worth it to open carry here. Keep it concealed.

Best bet - keep it concealed at all times. People won't see it and, and people like you won't be so worried about it. But you need to act on your own best judgment and in your own interest. If I saw a someone open carrying and acting unusual I would leave too. Even if they were not open carrying and they were acting strangely for no apparent reason I would likely vacate the premises on principle.

Good luck with your decision.

[madokie]

5. I carry a knife but not as a weapon

wouldn't think of pulling it out on someone.
I use my knife as a tool. If I need a pry bar and its big enough its a pry bar. If i need a screw driver and it fits the screw its a screw driver. If I need to cut something then its a cutter. Never is it seen as a weapon by me. course my knife is always a small knife that would be worthless as a weapon anyway.

[jakeXT]

6. Reminds me of that Domino's guy

Last edited Tue Aug 27, 2013, 07:05 AM - Edit history (1)

Robber killed after bringing knife to a gun fight

The Domino’s employee Byron Parks was going back to his car after delivering pizza to a hotel room when he was approached by a man with a big knife.

The bad guy was Fredrick Kelly Jr. and he demanded cash.

When Parks said no Kelly went toward him with the knife and threatened to kill him. That turned out to be a bad idea.

The Brevard Times reports Parks grabbed a gun he carried with him and fired once, killing Kelly.

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/robber-killed-after-bringing-knife-gun-fight/nZcYY/

[Skeeter Barnes]

7. Plenty of places in the US where blades that long are illegal. Use it in self defense in the wrong

city and you would be in big trouble. Lots of places ban locking blades of any length. Why they ban a safety feature, IDK.

So, I guess the answer is "yes" it is wrong for you to even have it, aside from using it for defense, according to some people. Carrying a gun is a much bigger responsibility so they're not even close in comparison.

Nothing better for a carry knife than a plain old plastic handle Axis lock Benchmade with a 154CM blade, though. I always have my Griptilian when I go out.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife in the UK is 4 years.

So - if you were to come over here and carry you take your chances.

[Travis_0004]

17. Its legal to carry if the blade is under 3 inches long, and does not lock

The blade I carry is 2.96 inches, so under the length requirement, I would be fine in the UK. My knife does lock though, since a lock is a great safety feature that keeps me from cutting my finger off. I don't live in the UK, so its legal over here.

[Adrahil]

45. Silly restriction

And that's just freakin' ridiculous. I love the UK, but they have gone in for such restrictions WAY too much IMO.

[dipsydoodle]

49. Fair comment

given we think you're completely daft in the head with your gun laws.

[Adrahil]

62. That's also fair, I suppose.

But generally speaking, I prefer not to imbue inanimate objects with motives of their own.

When I read a story about someone in the UK being imprisoned simply for OWNING a gun, not committing an acutla violent crime with it, mind you, but just HAVING it, I personally think the balance is tipped.

And Britain has a wonderful tradition of historic firearms. The historic and fascinating Martini-Henry rifle, for example, which sadly get butchered in the name of "safety." It's a shame IMO.

As a boy scout, I used to carry a knife with me everywhere. I would use it for all kinds of things... opening packaged, cutting strings, whatever. God forbid a kid do that nowadays.... OMG!!!! A WEAPON!!!!!

It's just overboard, IMO.

[Logical]

82. How is it different than carrying a pound of cocaine and going to jail when you didn't hurt anyone?

[HolyMoley]

83. You don't say?

[B Calm]

9. A knife is a tool, a handgun is a weapon.

[pintobean]

38. A weapon is a tool

and many hand tools can be used as a weapon.

[The Straight Story]

10. Only the people we trust (like cops, politicians, etc) should be allowed to carry them

The avg US citizen is not to be trusted (even though only a small percent harm others).

Also we should trust fellow citizens who are hired by wealthy ones to provide any type of armed security (guns/knives/etc) because when you are working for the wealthy you are more responsible and trusted.

Your avg poor or middle class citizen (again, unless they have the govt as employer) should be unable to have access to any such weapons for hunting, protection, skeet, sport shooting, or any other reason they may deem desirable.

Food will be provided by corporations and farms. Sport by football. Skeet, well we can replace it with Frisbee. Protection will be provided by your neighbors when they have agreed to be paid to do so by a local authority and if you are in danger you may place a call to a local operator who will send someone to you when they have the time and manpower (errr person power) available.

Please carry on good citizen. Your cooperation is welcomed and punishment will await violators.

[spin]

14. Yup. You can always trust your government and the police. ....

They have your best interests at heart.

[The Straight Story]

16. Indeed. Whereas our neighbors and such, well if you see something say something

Just don't do that with cops, will get you beaten.

It is a wonderful, and very progressive, country where we teach each other to be afraid of one another and only to trust to those in power. It is akin to the nanny state but this extension is called the Daddy State.

And we can help! Just pass around any negative examples of a group you can and never positive ones. Make sure you bury (or never discuss) something that does not strengthen the view that everyone is nuts.

Example: Lots of people, including high school kids, compete in shooting. Never mention that. Only talk about the less than 1% who do something wrong and people (and Fox news uses this technique well) will only see one side in their daily, busy, lives and you can promote the fear to better help us ensure that we keep people in check.

Do it for America. Land of the too free. Together, we can make it a better place for the few, the wealthy, the powerful.

[Eleanors38]

35. You...you mean I can stereotype & demonize, too?

And here I thought only RW people did that. Wow, equal footing at last!

[The Straight Story]

18. And let's not forget recent stabbings, like Eight-year-old boy stabs sister, more:

Eight-year-old boy stabs sister
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201308250056

Police: Son stabs mother to death in Marin City; son shot by officers in San Francisco
http://www.marinij.com/crimebeat/ci_23934615/woman-stabbed-death-marin-city-suspect-shot-by

Man critical after girlfriend stabs him, police say
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3140159.shtml?cat=500

Fridley Man Stabs Victim in Plymouth
http://plymouth-mn.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/fridley-man-stabs-victim-in-plymouth-and-a-hairpulling-assault-plymouth-police-report

It just goes on and on. I bet I could post a story a DAY about stabbings. When will it end? Why do we put up with people having knives??

We need safety knives (and safes in homes to keep all knives in). I suggest all knives have a hole in them and a block you put them in with a combination so you cannot pull it out easily. Also, register all knives, so if one is used in a stabbing it is easier to track them (and for GOD'S SAKE don't allow anything that looks like a knife, from a butter knife on up to assault knives, in schools. It makes me sick just thinking about those plastic knives kids hold in their hands each day - it will lead to no good I tell ya!)

[spin]

20. I always have a fixed blade knife in a sheath on my belt. ...

It's surprising how many times I use it as a tool every day. I also use it for food prep which is why I prefer a fixed blade as it is easier to clean.

[Shankapotomus]

27. That's so funny you mention

knives with a hole in them and a combination lock. I have an Opinel Outdoor No. 8 with a hole in the blade. When not in use, I thread a small luggage combination lock through the hole in the blade so no one can open it but me.

What a coincidence! Lol.

[The Straight Story]

31. Great minds think alike :) (nt)

[thucythucy]

39. You seem to be implying that carrying a gun

will somehow act as a deterent to corporations and government. Or that gun owners in this country are somehow free from the shackles of agri-business.

Considering that the US population is heavily armed, in comparison to most other western democracies, and that we are seeing a terrific increase both in corporate power, and seemingly unbridled government surveillance, how is that whole armed citizenry = freedom thing working out for you? As for not getting food from farms or corporations, I suspect the number of gun owners who rely entirely on their guns to feed themselves and their families is quite low.

In fact, I would add civilian gun ownership to the list of distractions used by the powers that be to keep you gun enthusiasts docile and content. You have the illusion of power, but in fact you have hardly any real political or economic power at all (unless, of course, you happen to be a millionaire or billionaire).

And yes, your cooperation in this illusion is most welcome, by the TeaParty, by ALEC (who love SYG laws), and of course by the firearms industry itself.

Carry on.

[The Straight Story]

48. Ah, I see...so it is some freedom people don't use the way you like often enough

so therefore useless and let's get rid of it?

Less women a year have abortions than people that use their guns to hunt, bet you are itching to ditch that right too, Am I Right?

Armed citizenry = freedom thing? How about people are guaranteed the right to be armed and like others who call themselves progressives I back up people's rights even they are ones I don't personally use (gay marriage, abortions, owning a gun, and other things).

And yes, I am an enthusiast for our rights - why, can you imagine any human being enthusiastic about rights they have? Good golly, what the hell is wrong with people?

Here, you have a right, let me guilt trip you and ridicule you because of it. Yeah buddy, that sure is a progressive ideal right there.

[thucythucy]

97. I think you missed the point.

As I said, you seem to be implying in the post to which I was responding that gun owners are somehow sticking it in the eye of corporations, agri-business, etc. That gun ownership somehow undermines the corporate powers-that-be.

I can assume then that your lack of response to my point means you've given up this line of argument, and are reverting to all the other arguments gun-enthusiastics typically use.

Fine by me, just as long as you acknowledge that the idea that gun ownership somehow undermines the corporate powers-that-be is simply absurd, which of course it is.

Best wishes.

[The Straight Story]

98. Not that gave up a line of argument, just that

I still am not sure what you are trying to argue.

"That gun ownership somehow undermines the corporate powers-that-be. "

What the heck does that even matter really? How is it relevant to freedom and the right to bear arms?

I don't care the reason people are using - it is a right, plain and simple. And one of the few directly mentioned (many others are implied). Pretty much everyone back then owned a gun for hunting and self defense, it was (and is) a pretty normal part of existence for some folks.

It does, in a sense, undermine the powers that be in the sense that we have people who fight against such powers to remove freedoms. Less freedoms equals more control by the few. Does not matter if it is guns, abortions, who you can freely associate with and enjoy legal activities with, etc.

[nomorenomore08]

71. How many people here have actually advocated that position? Sounds like a strawman to me.

I certainly don't think that advocating licensing or background checks equates to advocating a total firearm ban. And anyone who does advocate the latter, I would tend to laugh off because there's no way they'll ever be able to do so, certainly not in this country. For the record, I'm not a big fan of firearms, and I would most likely never own one, but I don't have a problem with gun ownership in itself - though I question the necessity of some types, like who really needs a frickin' AR-15 semi-auto?

[The Straight Story]

92. Just to clarify

The AR-15 is not really different from other guns of the same caliber. I helped a friend put one together from all the various pieces he bought (cheaper to piece it out) and outside the look and a few other minor things (comfort for one, recoil) it is no different than the typical hunting rifle.

In fact, it can be classed as a hunting rifle (and is lighter than some of the traditional ones I grew up with) since - in the end - the bullet coming out of it is the exact same as the other rifles (think of guns like cars, you can pick one that is more comfortable, prettier, better miles to the gallon, better safety, etc - yet all those cars could have the exact same engine and run on gas, etc).

This gun:


and this gun:


Shoot the same ammo. Both can be used for hunting.

One is lighter than the other. Better recoil. Reliable (The first more than the last imho), etc.

It is like saying one knife is more dangerous than the other because of the color of the handle.

WHY is it people are freaked out by the second and then look at the first and say "well, that one is ok cause it is for hunting"??

[nomorenomore08]

93. Okay, maybe I'm overstating things a bit. I guess aside from the "scary" look the AR isn't

much worse than other rifles. And maybe Adam Lanza's a little too fresh in my mind as well.

As I said, generally speaking I don't have a problem with gun ownership for hunting or self-defense, even if it may not be a right/privilege I would personally choose to exercise, unless, perhaps, I lived far out in the sticks.

Though I would like to point out that the U.K., with a total handgun ban - but not a total firearm ban, you can still own shotguns and certain rifles - has less than 1 percent the rate of gun homicides we do. I wouldn't advocate going as far as the Brits myself, but the stats do make moderate gun-control measures, at the least, seem awfully tempting.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. I carry a Leatherman in my purse. I don't specifically carry it for the blade,

but it's a handy tool to have around. I know several women who carry them.

[kentauros]

41. And I'm a guy that owns two of them,

though that's only because someone gave me one of them as a gift without knowing I already had another version. That's fine, though, because one of them has a nice set of scissors while the other one doesn't. I keep that one in my car and the non-scissors set in my satchel (because I also have a pair of fold up scissors in it.)

It's all about utility as far as I'm concerned. I'd never be able to get to either in time if I needed to "defend" myself.

If I could post YT videos from here, I think the old scene from Crocodile Dundee would be appropriate

[Arkansas Granny]

42. Like you, I don't carry my Leatherman for defense. It's about the handiest tool I've ever owned and

the only thing that would make it better would be a corkscrew.

[kentauros]

43. You mean like this one:

http://www.leatherman.com/product/Juice_C2



It also looks like they've redesigned them in recent years (or maybe even longer back) because mine have that open handle-design such that they dig into your palms when you try to use the pliers with any strength. I guess too many handyman-people were having the same issue and complained

[SomethingFishy]

77. A Leatherman (or a Gerber if you are on a budget) and a roll of Gaff Tape

are all you need to survive the zombie apocalypse

[Arkansas Granny]

90. Along with my Leatherman (which was a gift), I have several

offers of protection in case of the zombie apocalypse. Everyone wants me to come be head cook at their fortress.

[vankuria]

12. Knives don't accidentally "go off"

As one poster already stated knives are tools, my husband always carries one and I doubt he considers it anything more. We never have to worry about the knife accidentally harming (unless he cuts himself!), having to lock it up, or getting into the wrong hands.

How many times do you read about someone being killed by an "accidental stabbing"?

[ileus]

13. Neither is wrong...

Both can save lives if needed....only the knife requires more CQC skill to defend yourself successfully.

[spin]

15. Like you, I always carry a knife and use it many times a day as a tool. ...

However a carry fixed blade knife rather than a folder as I can use my knife for food prep and clean it faster and more thoroughly than a folder.

In a pinch I could probably use it for self defense but I lack the training to be a good knife fighter.

[treestar]

19. No, it does not have the capability of killing many people

quickly, and has other uses, the ones you mentioned.

If a child accidentally gets hold of it, they could get hurt, but less likely for it to be fatal, far less likely.

It is unlikely you will hurt yourself with it accidentally, as if cannot "go off" accidentally.

[DanTex]

21. Not nearly as bad.

First off, fatality rates for stab wounds are some 5 to 10 times lower than for gunshot wounds, so the lethality is not even close to comparable. Among survivors, gunshot wounds are more serious, meaning more likely to cause permanent damage, hospital costs higher, etc. Also, stabbing someone requires being in close proximity, and in order to stab someone fatally, you have to try really hard.

If you lose a gun, or it gets stolen, you are potentially putting a highly lethal weapon in the hands of a criminal. A criminal armed with a knife is not nearly as dangerous as a criminal armed with a gun, and besides, any criminal can buy a knife anywhere, so owning/carrying knives does not contribute to the lethality of crime. Knives don't go off accidentally, and they don't hit innocent people in the background. They also don't provide an easy way for people to commit suicide.

And so on.

[quaker bill]

22. As a swamp ecologist

I carried a knife for years. Now that I am mostly in the office, not so much.

It was a survival tool, and my survival instructor was emphatic, "never leave home without one".


Carrying the knife never conflicted with my understanding of the Quaker peace testimony. I did not carry it for defensive purposes, just a survival tool in case of problems when walking through swamps with gators, snakes, and feral hogs.

[Boom Sound 416]

23. When you sold your guns

Did you do a background check?

[krispos42]

24. This makes you just as paranoid as if you carried a gun

The fact that you cannot leave the house and interact with society without a weapon for fear of being attacked marks you as a sick, paranoid, fearful person.

That's what I've learned from DU.

[Robb]

25. None of the "gun folks" are answering the question you asked.

Notice that?

[Squinch]

33. Funny, I saw that too. Hmmmmm... wonder what it means...

[Eleanors38]

36. Uh, I think the OP was asking... You. nt

[Lizzie Poppet]

37. That's because it wasn't addressed to us.

The question was addressed to "those who don't support the carry of firearms" and stipulated that carrying a gun was "bad." The question wasn't asked of those who don't meet those conditions.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

40. I inferred...

...that the "those who don't support the carry of firearms" was referring to the poster as one who doesn't. I inferred that the question (rephrased) was: 'Since I don't support the carry of firearms, is carrying a knife for defense just as bad?'

I'm guessing I inferred incorrectly.

[sarisataka]

50. You didn't answer it either

Notice that?

[beevul]

67. If its remarkable that people who this isn't addressed to aren't answering...

If its remarkable that people who this isn't addressed to aren't answering, isn't it far more remarkable that you, one of those who it IS addressed to, is both pointing the finger at those who it isn't addressed to who aren't answering, AND not answering yourself?


Actions, in any case, speak louder and more clearly, than words.

[HereSince1628]

28. I have just one question...Do you sing with that thing in your pocket?

Because in WI that would certainly be a serious offense.

[MineralMan]

29. Me, too. This:

Schrade Old Timer 80T

[Sunlei]

30. doubt the knife will jump out of your pocket and stab someone 200 feet away

[Adrahil]

46. funny...

That's strange... my guns have never jumped up and shot anyone either.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

34. It varies

The type of tool you maintain should first be determined by your skill and ability to safely use it. Second, you should chose a tool based on needs, efficiency, cost and personal preference.

[n2doc]

44. Straw man Fail n/t

[REP]

47. I usually have at least two on me

A very small one, a Buck Companion (an old US-made one) and a bigger Gerber. I'm in my greenhouse a lot; they come in handy.

In my kitchen, I have much bigger knives; a set of Wusthofs and a set of Shuns.

I have a lot of knives; hadn't really thought about it until now, but looking at my potting bench, I can see about six just out here ...

[pnwmom]

51. Can it accidentally go off and kill someone? I doubt it. n/t

[Lizzie Poppet]

56. Guns don't do that either.

At least not virtually every gun made in the last couple centuries. "It accidentally went off" is what idiots say when they screwed up and had an accidental discharge.

[pnwmom]

58. There have been plenty of cases where kids brought guns in their backpacks to school

and the guns went off accidentally.

None where this happened with a knife.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/22/20138428-no-injuries-after-memphis-5-year-old-fires-gun-in-
school?lite

The Westside Elementary School student, 5, brought the gun to school in his backpack Thursday morning, according to school officials at Westside and at the Shelby County schools superintendent's office.

While waiting for the opening bell in the cafeteria, the gun accidentally discharged once inside the boy's backpack at about 7:42 a.m. CT during breakfast and before school started at 8 a.m., school officials said.

"Staff immediately took possession of that backpack," said Christian Ross, external communication analyst for Shelby County schools. "Our Shelby County school security team were contacted as well as local law enforcement. They're handling the investigation. From what we've heard, there's no evidence of harmful intent."

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21010712745926/student-grazed-by-bullet-at-school/

The incident occurred at Redland Middle School, located on 16001 SW 248 St. in Southwest Miami-Dade, Friday afternoon.

"He just couldn't walk and he was laying down on the floor gushing blood," said sixth grade student Pablo Sanchez.

According to police, a student took a gun to school in a backpack. The gun accidentally discharged and hit a student in the leg.

Sanchez saw his friend get shot in the leg in history class. "He had a gun in his bookbag and he just dropped his bookbag and all you hear is a sudden boom!" he said.

[Lizzie Poppet]

61. I would argue that there are probably ZERO such cases.

As I said, modern guns virtually never just "go off" by themselves. Firearms are among the most mechanically reliable machines in the world, and modern designs incorporate (multiple) safeguards against mechanical failure even being able to produce an accidental discharge.

Even if I believed the kid's story about the backpack (and I don't...), it was still multiple human actions that led to the "accidental" discharge. Very, very few firearms (and almost no modern ones) will discharge when dropped unless they are cocked, have a round in the chamber, AND the safety disengaged. Those are three "stupid human tricks."

I reiterate: guns don't just "go off" in all but the most astronomically rare cases. They fire because someone pulled the trigger, and in rare cases because someone dropped a gun in the state described above.

[pnwmom]

65. There were several adult witnesses to both these cases that you don't believe in.

[beevul]

68. Were they...

Were they adult witnesses that could tell the difference between a gun that was accidentally fired by a human being, versus a "gun that accidentally goes off" ?

Those are two very different things.

[pnwmom]

69. They were adults that could see that the child wasn't holding the gun -- it was in the backpack. n/t

[beevul]

70. That does not mean...

That does not mean that the trigger wasn't pulled by proxy, aided by the actions of the person holding/moving/manipulating the back pack.

Modern firearms generally do not "go off" with out human interaction, and its big news when a design flaw is found in a modern firearm which enables such a thing. Big enough that the gun control groups would attempt to make much hay out of such things, saying something along the line of "unsafely designed guns that can fire all by themselves".

Since they haven't...

[pnwmom]

72. "Holding/moving/manipulating" a backpack could cause a hidden gun to discharge accidentally.

I didn't say there had to be no human interaction for a gun to go off by accident.

[beevul]

85. Did someone say that wasn't true?

"Holding/moving/manipulating" a backpack could cause a hidden gun to discharge accidentally.

Did someone say that wasn't true?


"I didn't say there had to be no human interaction for a gun to go off by accident."


When you said "Can it accidentally go off and kill someone?", you mentioned exactly nothing about any human interaction, the word "it" referring to a gun, and the words "accidentally go off" referring to something "it" might do.

The implication there was crystal clear. Whether that was the message you intended or not, that's the one you sent.

[pnwmom]

88. Got any more hairs to split? n/t

[beevul]

95. Thank you, for making it clear...

Thank you for making it clear, that in your view the difference between a gun which "goes off", and one which is accidentally fired by human interaction, is splitting hairs.

[Lizzie Poppet]

76. Fine. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt.

I'm still dubious, but let's go with that: the kid dropped the backpack, and the gun discharged.

That STILL leaves multiple human actions (really stupid actions...) that led up to the accidental discharge: the gun was virtually certain to have been loaded, a round in the chamber, cocked, and the safety disengaged for dropping the weapon to have been a possible cause of the discharge. This is outside of two more purely human screw-ups: dropping the damn thing and letting a kid get hold of the gun in the first place.

I reiterate: guns don't just "go off."

[LanternWaste]

59. Much like "the car rolled downhill" is what idiots say when the emergency brake disengages or become

Much like "the car rolled downhill" is what idiots say when the emergency brake disengages or becomes worn?

I suppose to maintain an ethical consistency, we should refrain from "car wreck" and in its place use the more accurate "driver wreck"?

(Insert justification here to rationalize a difference without relevant distinction)

[ZombieHorde]

53. I sometimes carry a knife, but the blades on the knives I carry are only about 2" long. nt

[Paladin]

54. DU doesn't have two groups devoted to knife politics, as they do for guns.

I think that takes care of the question you raised.

[zipplewrath]

57. Is it a tool or a weapon

It looks like the blade locks, so that would tend to classify it more towards the weapon side. But it has no hilt so it could be as much a threat to yourself as to anyone else. I'm dubious it's useful for throwing, at least well. I can make a weapon out of a screw driver of Bic pen, but on the weapon scale it don't match guns well.

[Neoma]

63. I trust a person with a knife more than a person with a gun...

Mainly because I collect knives.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

64. No, not "as wrong".

You are statistically MUCH less likely to kill yourself or others than someone carrying a gun.

[Iggo]

66. Ah...Benchmade 530....unh, unh, unh...

...a-a-a-a-aaaaaah!

[nomorenomore08]

73. As others have noted, a knife is far less deadly (potentially) than a gun.

Also little to no potential for tragic "accidents." I wouldn't say I blanketly oppose concealed carry - though I'm not enthused RE: legalizing it, especially in densely populated areas - but I don't think carrying a knife is remotely comparable.

[Initech]

74. Why am I reminded of the Joker?

[ryan_cats]

75. Yes and no

Yes and no. I don't think carrying a registered gun is a bad thing.
I don't know how it is in California now but in the '80s, carrying a gun is a misdemeanor and having the ammo is another misdemeanor.

Carrying a knife is (or used to be a felony, I don't know there days) so that factor alone makes it seems safer police-wise than a knife.

Seems to me to be a backwards law unless it was changed.

[former9thward]

78. Carrying a gun is neither good or bad.

Carrying a knife is neither good or bad. It is whatever you are comfortable with. If neither then carry neither.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

79. You call that a knife?

[RKP5637]

80. I carry a swiss army knife on my belt all of the time, very useful for

many things. I've never thought of it as a weapon, but I noticed here in the DMV the other day is was illegal to carry into the DMV as posted on a sign.

[HolyMoley]

81. Ever consider taking knife fighting lessons?

Not that I think I'll likely ever have to use it. But it's always there if the need arises.

If it ever comes down to that, it wouldn't hurt to at least know some basic skills (blocks, thrusts, slashing, etc).

Ohhh, and for the record, I see nothing wrong or inherently evil about carrying a handgun or knife for self defense.

[mimi85]

84. Only you can

answer that question. Unlike guns, knives actually can serve many purposes other than killing someone. Guns exist for one reason only, to maim and kill. And I'll throw in hunting if necessary. My dad would take me hunting with me as a kid and it made me sick even then.

[Tikki]

86. Do you still beat your apples and oranges?

imwtk..


Tikki

[oldhippie]

87. I've carried a knife in my left front pocket for ....

... pretty much every day since I was eight years old. That was in 1956. So I'm kinda OK with you carrying a knife if you want. (My current favorite is my CRK Small Sebenza, though I have had a series of Benchmades and CRK&Ts.)

But I don't use them for defensive uses, only utility purposes.

For defense I usually have a Glock 19 or a S&W 340PD somewhere on my person. I'm OK id you have one of those, also.

[DirkGently]

89. Knives don't fill the same space in our culture guns do.

I think part of the gap in the conversation continues to be people thinking on one hand about how calm, level-headed people have firearms all around them, all the time, and there's relatively little risk of violence or accident. That's true enough.

But other people see an awful lot of demented thinking surrounding firearms, from pseudo-cops like Zimmerman to militias fantasizing that they can take out the Feds, to your basic idiot threatening to shoot the neighbor's dog or kids on his lawn. That's real too.

Someone handed me an NRA newsletter the other day to thumb through. Sandwiched between a couple of rants about Obama were miles of glossy ads for weapons for sale. I didn't see a single one that talked about advances in deer hunting technology. It was all "tactical" stuff, or handguns. All about the sexy violence available for sale. This is where the gun industry is coming from. Not "tools." Not hunting. They are selling a fantasy of personal power.

We -- not just 'gun nuts' -- but our culture as a whole, fetishize the idea of personal power and autonomous security through keeping and carrying guns. They're symbols of authority, competence, and indomitability. Not to everyone, maybe. But to too many for it not to be a problem.

Knives don't fit that fantasy. Nobody imagines they are a cop, or don't need the cops, or can put a stop to any crime in the area, or are going to war with the government, or will shock the world by wiping out a school or a church or a mall, because they're carrying a knife.

Sure, you get your occasional shirtless weirdo spinning a katana in an intersection now and then or collecting "dragon daggers" in Mom's basement, but it's not the same thing, and those cats are generally not going to wipe out a kindergarden.

It's not just "guns" we have a problem with here. It's the way we think about them. That's why all the comparisons to cars and knives and baseball bats are disingenuous crap. Those things aren't part of our particular violent psychosis here.

[AsahinaKimi]

91. Some times I wish I could carry a

Katana or a Shinai ....I always wanted to be a Ninja !

PS..I even have that style of blade.

[Union Scribe]

94. That's really nice

I have a Gerber Covert that looks similar. I've carried it just about every day for about ten years. A good knife is a tool for life

(I also carry a small slip in my wallet with Michigan's knife laws summed up on it for any LEO's edification. The Covert has a false edge that is legal but "looks" double-edged.)

[Rex]

96. Can you fire it at people and kill them, repeatedly?

Alas a knife is not a firearm. False equivalency imo.

[NuclearDem]

99. I keep my old SERE hunting knife in my glove box.

I don't trust myself with a gun, so that's the next best thing. At least until I pony up the cash for a taser.