Sidearms & Scatterguns Florida Knife Laws

wilwith1l

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 31, 2013
252
5
Heart of Dixie
I'm buying a wedding gift for a buddy who is about to PCS to Camp Rudder, so my question is:

Will there be any issues with him, or his spouse carrying an Auto-Opener, like a Benchmade Auto Triage off-base in the state of Florida?

I understand that any information will be purely anecdotal, and not "legal advice" in any way.

Thanks.
 
Did you do any google searches first? I ask because there are many results with answers to this question. Here are a couple:
What is Legal to Own

Balisong knives are legal.
Belt knives, cane knives, and other disguised knives are legal.
Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.
Undetectable knives (knives that will not set off metal detectors) are legal.
Ballistic knives are illegal.
The law does not limit individuals from owning, selling, or buying any knife except for ballistic knives.

Limits on Carry

You can open carry any knife.
Box cutters, multi-tools, and other work knives are legal to carry concealed.
In most cases, conceal carry of a common pocket knife with a blade of less than 4 inches is legal.
Anything outside of this has not been
The only way you can lawfully carry an auto in public in Florida is with a valid CWFL.
An auto is not a "common pocket knife" under Florida law, and carrying one concealed without a CWFL is a criminal offense.
Also be aware that carrying one onto Indian lands is a federal felony, even if you have a CWFL.
Above info from Florida Firearms, p. 101-109.
Matt

I know that I chose to carry a Kershaw Leek which is a one-handed spring assist, just as quick to open as an auto, good steel and decent quality for the price, and completely legal to own and carry in Florida.
 
Ah, but that is not what you asked in your OP.

In any case, what I posted stands as a layman's interpretation of the current Florida knife carry laws. Does his work qualify him to Concealed Carry in public? Then the concealed carry law would take over and he would be covered. Unless the spouse has the same ability to concealed carry, then again Florida law stands.

It seems simple to me, but then maybe I'm missing a super-secret squirrel code or something. :)
 
Carrying any automatic knife in FL without a recognized carry license is against the law. There may be an exemption for LEO/First responder, and maybe military, but only when performing their job duties, not when off work.

Have your buddy hit the local Ag Department and get a Florida concealed carry license. Since he's active duty, he just needs a current military weapons qualification, ID, and a check for the license fee. If you do it through the ag office, it only takes a couple weeks to get, and it's still valid if he moves out of Florida.

There used to be an Ag office in downtown Fort Walton Beach, but I am not sure if the office closed or simply moved.