GideonDelta
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?: Michigan
Hello,
I recently purchased a machete (kukri) with the intent to use it to clear brush (yardwork, basically). It is legal to own in Michigan, I know. However, several people have mentioned the kukri can also be used for self-defense. I started doing some searches for the legality of carrying a knife (as I believe it's classified) for self-defense and I was surprised to see several mentions�one from someone claiming to be a police officer in Michigan�that you can be arrested for carrying a blade for self-defense and that if questioned by police that I should say it's for "work."
As a Constitutionalist, I find this troubling and confusing. There are no laws that I can find that forbid the possession and ownership of a machete. The only laws regarding possession of a blade of this type note that the only restrictions are carrying of a blade for "unlawful purposes." Doesn't the Second Amendment guarantee the right to bear arms? And hasn't the Supreme Court repeatedly upheld the right of people to possess bladed weapons for self-defense?
Looking at the US Constitution and Michigan laws, I don't see how detaining me solely for possessing a blade with the explicit purpose of self-defense is legal. Yet, there are repeated comments about people claiming it's unlawful and you can be put in cuffs for being honest and saying you're carrying the blade for self-defense...
My question is... is there any legal grounds to do this? Can I really be detained for carrying a blade for self-defense? How can owning a firearm for self-defense be okay but not a blade? That doesn't make sense.
Hello,
I recently purchased a machete (kukri) with the intent to use it to clear brush (yardwork, basically). It is legal to own in Michigan, I know. However, several people have mentioned the kukri can also be used for self-defense. I started doing some searches for the legality of carrying a knife (as I believe it's classified) for self-defense and I was surprised to see several mentions�one from someone claiming to be a police officer in Michigan�that you can be arrested for carrying a blade for self-defense and that if questioned by police that I should say it's for "work."
As a Constitutionalist, I find this troubling and confusing. There are no laws that I can find that forbid the possession and ownership of a machete. The only laws regarding possession of a blade of this type note that the only restrictions are carrying of a blade for "unlawful purposes." Doesn't the Second Amendment guarantee the right to bear arms? And hasn't the Supreme Court repeatedly upheld the right of people to possess bladed weapons for self-defense?
Looking at the US Constitution and Michigan laws, I don't see how detaining me solely for possessing a blade with the explicit purpose of self-defense is legal. Yet, there are repeated comments about people claiming it's unlawful and you can be put in cuffs for being honest and saying you're carrying the blade for self-defense...
My question is... is there any legal grounds to do this? Can I really be detained for carrying a blade for self-defense? How can owning a firearm for self-defense be okay but not a blade? That doesn't make sense.