There are also length laws and switch laws. I know, because I once had a hunting knife that was slightly over the length limit. The RCMP insisted I grind it down and submit it for inspection.
However, such restrictions are use-based; you can have a set of steak knives that are over the limit, because their intended use is obviously not against humans. But if someone pulls a steak knife on someone in public, they’ll run afoul of the knife laws.
I once sat on a jury for an attempted manslaughter knifing that took place in a kitchen with a steak knife, where both participants were drunk at the time; lots of interesting arguments were made by both sides.
JeromeVancouver@lemmy.ca 4 months ago
I think switch blades are illegal in Canada too, but I could be wrong
lord_ryvan@ttrpg.network 4 months ago
I mean, those are reasonably weapons, no?
wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Yeah you’re right, that is one limitation. The rational is that it has no purpose other than being a weapon.
wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Yeah you’re right, that is one limitation. The rational is that it has no purpose other than being a weapon.
WoahWoah@lemmy.world 4 months ago
I think the difference between “assisted open,” which is almost always legal, and “automatic open” (e.g., switch blades") is very minor. They are both just ways of freeing and locking the blade for use. I don’t think either of them implies they will be used as a weapon. I would guess the laws are just stupid and, as another user pointed out, related to a historical “moral panic.”
Damned greasers and their switchblades and leather jackets. When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette to your last dying day!
wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Fair