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Is it illegal to carry a Swiss Army Knife?

  • 29-12-2011 06:09PM
    #1
    Broski.dll
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 110 ✭✭


    I recently bought a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and was wondering is it illegal to carry? The blade is almost 2 inch's if that matter's.


Comments

  • #2
    busyliving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,428 ✭✭✭busyliving


    Broski.dll wrote: »
    I recently bought a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife and was wondering is it illegal to carry? The blade is almost 2 inch's if that matter's.

    Pretty certain it would be illegal, its a weapon and a concealed weapon at that...

    If you were working with it, and had it on your person before or after work maybe you'd just get a warning, but its no different than carrying around a meat cleaver...IMHO


  • #3
    mikemac1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    Garda would use judgement and give a chance to explain

    Come silage season you'll find plenty of people out driving and walking with knives. A knife, masking tape and WD40 are needed on every farm ;)
    You don't check to empty your pockets if you're going to the local shop to pick something up.

    But it's completely different if you're carrying the same knife outside a nightclub


  • #4
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,768 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    Section 9 Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 makes it illegal to carry a knife in public in Ireland whether concealed or not. There are some lawful excuses unch as the knife being necessary for our occupation. This might be of application in the silage example although I suspect most farm workers cut silage in private and the reason would only be needed for carrying to and from the worksite.


  • #5
    Dawn Rider
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 326 ✭✭Dawn Rider


    You need a good reason for carrying it.

    If you can show it's for work or recreation (according to the Offensive Weapons Act, 1990), then you'll be ok.
    http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1990/en/act/pub/0012/sec0009.html#sec9

    As long as you don't go waving it around or acting the maggot you won't attract the attention of the police.


  • #6
    theAwakening
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 254 ✭✭theAwakening


    if you are charged with possession of an offensive weapon, the burden of proof is then on you to show to the satisfaction of the court, on the balance of probability, that you had a lawful authority or reasonable excuse for possessing same.


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  • #7
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    I'd imagine a swiss army knife (sak) would be legal to possess if you had a lawful reason for carrying it.
    Like a bottle opener
    or a tin opener
    or to pick your teeth

    or to cut some cheese (later on) with the main blade
    or to cut some blue cheese (later on) with the small blade
    or to sew some canvas with that strange needle on the back of the knife.....

    or to etc. etc.


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