Knife laws in Alabama are friendly for all knives except for the Bowie knives and similar to those.
Bowies can be owned but cannot be carried concealed. Even one would get into trouble selling one of those sorts of knives.
Otherwise, there are no difficulties in the knife laws in Alabama once you get to know them.
Knives that are Illegal in Alabama
You can own or possess all kinds of knives in Alabama except for the single-edged bladed knives also known as KA-BAR knives are illegal here.
And there are some concealed carry and selling laws for some particular knives. Bowies are illegal to carry concealed but it would be legal if you own these sorts of knives or you have the permit of possessing one.
Concealed-Carry Laws:
Bowie knives and other larger fixed-bladed knives are illegal if they are carried concealed. If you are found with a bowie knife in your vehicle, you’ll be punished too.
A machete and an 11″ butcher knife are also considered as the Bowies and carrying these concealed is also illegal according to the knife laws in Alabama.
Punishment
If anyone conceals a Bowie or same kind like that, he/she will be punished by,
- Imprisonment for not more than six months in the county jail with the hard labor and or,
- A fine of $50.00 and $500.00 or in between.
Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code § 13A-11-50 explains this.
“Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a person who carries concealed about his person a bowie knife or knife or instrument of like kind or description or a pistol or firearm of any other kind or an air gun shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.”
Knife Selling Laws:
Bowie knives and other knives that are classified as the Bowies are illegal to carry concealed in Alabama only. So, the restrictions are specifically drawn for these.
Such as this, People who sell Bowies and related to these kinds to the minor under 18 will be punished as well and that is completely illegal here.
Punishment
Selling a Bowie knife to the minor also punishes the convict the same as the fine of $50.00 and $500.00 or in between.
So, the parents or guardians are also not allowed to give a Bowie knife to their children under 18 years old also considered as a minor.
The Section 13A-11-57 says about selling the Bowie knives to the minor,
“Any person who sells gives or lends to any minor any pistol or bowie knife, or other knife of like kind or description, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00.”
Open-Carry Laws:
There is no specific open-carry law for the knives. You can carry any legal knives openly unless you have the intent to harm anybody otherwise, you’ll be punished.
You can also open-carry Bowies and other knives like those though they are illegal to carry concealed.
What is a “Bowie” all about?
According to the Alabama knife law, Bowie is a larger fixed-bladed knife that is way big to fit in your pocket.
Knives that are Legal in Alabama
Alabama’s knife laws are sort of relaxing than the other states. Only there are some restrictions on the Bowies, other than that, all these types of knives are legal that are mentioned below,
- Switchblades and other automatic or assisted opening knives are legal.
- Gravity knives are legal.
- Balisongs/butterfly knives are legal.
- Stilettos, dirks, and daggers are legal.
- Toothpick knives, pen knives, cane knives, belt buckle knives and all other disguised knives are legal.
- All folding knives and pocket knives are legal.
- Throwing knives and throwing stars are legal.
What should you do when you are charged and prove yourself not guilty?
If you are already charged for carrying concealed a Bowie or other knives related to that, you will be given an opportunity to show the reasons behind it for sure, but always remember the excuse must be proved by you on the trial with the satisfaction of the jury.
If you are not able to defend yourself with a proper excuse or reason or with any proper evidence and the jury find you with a reasonable doubt, you are going to get into trouble. And if you are lucky enough with a full confidence in you, you will be out of danger definitely.
In the code 13A-11-55, you’ll get the details.
“In an indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully, it is sufficient to charge that the defendant carried concealed about his person a pistol, or other description of firearms, on-premises not his own, or a bowie knife, or other knife or instrument of the like-kind or description,
or other forbidden weapons, describing it, as the case may be; and the excuse, if any, must be proved by the defendant on the trial, to the satisfaction of the jury; and if the evidence offered to excuse the charge raises a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt, the jury must acquit him.”
When you are charged, at first, you need to call for a good lawyer. And you have the full right to trial. And if you can prove yourself by giving the evidence that you were carrying that knife concealed with you for a good reason to seize an attack, you might be considered as not guilty.
But, the thing is, you need to prove that with full confidence in you. Remember, there will be the opposite sites of you who would try to prove you were guilty especially the police officers and you need to get over it without been doubted.
The code 13A-11-51 also says about it.
“The defendant being tried under the provisions of Section 13A-11-50 may give evidence that at the time of carrying the weapon concealed, he had good reason to apprehend an attack, which the jury may consider in mitigation of the punishment or in justification of the offense.”
You can also get yourself not guilty if you can prove with confidence that you were carrying that concealed to defend yourself.
You may also carry a knife or a bowie knife concealed for fishing or hunting. And if you are arrested then, you can prove them wrong and find you not guilty and you won’t be punished.
Sum up to the Alabama Knife Laws
Alabama is a region of the United States where knife owners and knife purchasers enjoy ultimate freedom.
Carrying knife laws are relaxing here too and you are here with the possible ways to get rid of it if you are charged with carrying concealed bowie knives.
Otherwise, the knife laws in Alabama are friendly. Following the laws isn’t that hard if you are not planning for any crime!
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