Autos?

Charles

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I’m sure this has likely been discussed in the past, but my search skills suck. I know that it’s perfectly legal to own an auto knife in N.C., but I can’t find any reliable information on the legalities of carrying an auto. Over the years I’ve formed a small collection, and I thoroughly enjoy my Microtech OTF’s. I’ve carried my Bushmaster Kershaw Blur for many years, but would like to change it over to an Ultratech. So does anyone have the definitive word? Is there a definitive word? All I’m finding are “grey areas”. Thanks in advance!
 
I suppose it’d come down to:
  1. Do you caught with it by a LEO
  2. How he/she understands/interprets the law
  3. Do you get arrested
  4. What happens at the arraignment
  5. Does it go to trial
 
I suppose it’d come down to:
  1. Do you caught with it by a LEO
  2. How he/she understands/interprets the law
  3. Do you get arrested
  4. What happens at the arraignment
  5. Does it go to trial
And these are the grey areas I referenced in my OP. Hoping someone can shed some light on actual definitive answers.
 
It would appear automatic knives fall under the switchblade category and are not legal to conceal carry in NC (but there may be a more recent law that allows it)

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I used to buy knives at a store in Raleigh that is now closed. The guy working there said you can buy them to collect but not to carry. He actually turned down a sale bc the person said the were going to carry the auto they were trying to purchase. Im with jeppo on this one. You can probably carry and have no problems but if anything goes down, it could probably be used against you if they decided to go that route. Assisted opening blades are quick though and i choose those for my carry blade to avoid any issues.
 
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My understanding has always been, unless you are a first responder it's illegal to carry one CONCEALED. You can carry it openly clipped to a belt or in a sheath/case on your belt legally...

YMMV...
 
FWIW I have a Gerber A06 auto and it doesn't deploy any faster than my EDC Kershaw Blur, assisted opening.
 
I know a guy, who knows a guy, who has purchased several knives of the spring loaded type but they are all hinged. It has always been his understanding that the otf blade extension systems are the only "real" issue to LEO.

Mind you, he says that not having read @Jeppo's post yet.

I hate the spell check on my tablet. Screws with my crayons bigly!
 
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I've never been able to get a very clear explanation of where the law actually sits. I've always thought it only applied to the knives that only extend the blade out the front, and not to traditional hinged style knives.

I've been carrying a Kershaw Launch 1 for quite a while and its become my go-to knife.
 
Based on the statutes that I read, I think that you cannot carry an auto knife concealed (although I can't find a definition for concealed for any weapon...so is the clip showing enough?)...

so just like firearms since open carry is not expressly prohibited it is legal.

There is expressed prohibition of carrying them on educational property or certain state property and courthouses.

I've attached the statutes that I found.
 

Attachments

  • gs_14-269 carrying concealed weapons.pdf
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  • gs_14-269.2-1 weapons on campus.pdf
    134 KB · Views: 0
  • gs_14-269.4 weapons on state property and in courthouses.pdf
    8.9 KB · Views: 3
The Ultratechs are made right here in the Asheville area...I know several of the staff over there. If there was a legal issue, I'm sure they'd have heard about it by now.
 
My understanding has always been, unless you are a first responder it's illegal to carry one CONCEALED. You can carry it openly clipped to a belt or in a sheath/case on your belt legally...

YMMV...
This is my understanding as well ymmv (not sure about the first responder exclusion though)
That said I think partially concealed i.e. in pocket clip showing Etc. invites interpretation, it’s probably better to be safe and avoid these manners of carrying, unless you feel you may enjoy being a party to establishing case law
 
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