Ive heard from a few people that its legal to open carry a machete, or that its only legal to carry it in plain sight on your belt or something. How true is this?
A machete could be called an "edged tool," but it really depends on whether or not the cop is going to treat it like a knife or a sword. These laws vary state-by-state, so you need to make sure you check them for wherever you're going. Generally, it's always illegal to carry it as a concealed weapon, which means that even if the hilt or tip of the blade is covered by your shirt or similar, a cop can call it concealed and book you. So if you're going to carry one, make sure it's COMPLETELY in the open.
And the obvious point, never ever ever EVER EVER CARRY A KNIFE (or any kind of weapon just to be safe) INTO A GOVERNMENT BUILDING INCLUDING A FOOD STAMP OFFICE, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL!
Honestly though, unless you're heading into the jungle, you won't get around with a machete without attracting a LOT of unwanted attention. If a cop approaches you to make sure you're not some schizophrenic axe-murderer, their tune is going to change instantly when they see a machete strapped to your pack, because there's simply no reason to have one outside of South America unless you're just going for 'cool points.' A machete makes a terrible self-defense weapon, even worse than a knife, because if you don't know how to use it properly, (aka trained) you're just going to hurt yourself or end up having it used against you.
also i thought a machete were good weapons? i saw a video of an old japanese farmer killing 4 guys trying to rob his house with a machete once.
Yeah, they're good weapons if you're properly trained in a school of martial arts which uses them. The problem is people go and pick up a machete and think they're suddenly bruce lee, then wonder what happened when they got into a fight and stabbed themselves with it.
to much gore for an 11 yr old.
Okay, wielding a knife in any non-utility situation is a good way to get shot, stabbed, or beaten to death. Unless you're highly trained in combat for the specific knife you carry then don't ever think about pulling it on a drugged up, Aggro-as-fuck homie who is threatening to mess you up, thinking it'll frighten them off the way badasses do in movies. That's a sorry excuse to get fucked up. Knives aren't as practical in combat as Jason Statham or anyone else makes them out to be. A long blunt object with further reach is more than enough to end a knife wielder's self perceived sense of having the upper hand in a fight. True, they can be a life saving last resort, but don't put your money on that. Try to use reasoning or get the hell out of the situation before ever pulling a knife and inciting violent means to resolve a situation. Same goes for machetes. although your chances of survival in a critical situation might be higher with one, all the above reasons mentioned by Zim are still true. The very sight of a machete on your person could cause extreme measures to be taken against you, even if you've done nothing. So play it safe and don't try to be a hero/badass. Don't get into fights, and if you do, do yourself a favor and book it. Only fight if there's no other out to your predicament.
Just keep it in your pack, your supposed to have it in view at all times. I never care to carry one like that while traveling.Ive heard from a few people that its legal to open carry a machete, or that its only legal to carry it in plain sight on your belt or something. How true is this?
A machete could be called an "edged tool," but it really depends on whether or not the cop is going to treat it like a knife or a sword. These laws vary state-by-state, so you need to make sure you check them for wherever you're going. Generally, it's always illegal to carry it as a concealed weapon, which means that even if the hilt or tip of the blade is covered by your shirt or similar, a cop can call it concealed and book you. So if you're going to carry one, make sure it's COMPLETELY in the open.
And the obvious point, never ever ever EVER EVER CARRY A KNIFE (or any kind of weapon just to be safe) INTO A GOVERNMENT BUILDING INCLUDING A FOOD STAMP OFFICE, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL!
Honestly though, unless you're heading into the jungle, you won't get around with a machete without attracting a LOT of unwanted attention. If a cop approaches you to make sure you're not some schizophrenic axe-murderer, their tune is going to change instantly when they see a machete strapped to your pack, because there's simply no reason to have one outside of South America unless you're just going for 'cool points.' A machete makes a terrible self-defense weapon, even worse than a knife, because if you don't know how to use it properly, (aka trained) you're just going to hurt yourself or end up having it used against you.
Erable said:Even if they did, you would be able to contest it in court, and win, because that's a horseshit charge. If the majority of it is visible, you should be in the clear.
Okay, fair enough.You're right, but I'm pointing it out because court on the road is a pain.