61

I just wonder. If you can openly carry a firearm. Could you not also openly carry a sword? Bow and arrow?

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works 45 points 4 weeks ago

I do know that sometimes signs are banned from protests if they use sticks, because sticks can be used as melee weapons. Yet, your right to carry an M-16 in the streets--maybe even into congressional chambers during votes--is wholly protected.

It is completely stupid.

[-] irelephant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 25 points 4 weeks ago

Use your gun as a stick them

[-] jim_v@lemmy.world 7 points 4 weeks ago

"Speak softly and carry a big M-16." – Teddy Roosevelt

[-] heartSagan5@lemmy.zip 2 points 4 weeks ago
[-] DoubleDongle@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

It'll certainly get the point across

[-] cynar@lemmy.world 9 points 4 weeks ago

Could you use a long rifle as a stick for a protest sign?

[-] NotSteve_@lemmy.ca 6 points 4 weeks ago

What a weird damn country

[-] lath@piefed.social 22 points 4 weeks ago

Far as I know, as someone not in the land of the dumbfucks, each state has its own limitations on what they allow.
Some only allow specific calibers or length of blade.

Bows and arrows are usually classified as hunting utensils and may be fined as such if carried openly outside of permitted areas for hunting.

I can only assume it is required by the wearer to know the laws of their state in regards to this as the cops don't give a fuck and would rather just shoot you down.

[-] P00ptart@lemmy.world 12 points 4 weeks ago

This is the case. Some states would allow you a katana, or broad sword, others say only a pistol. I'm unsure about carrying and gun bigger than a pistol. But I've seen a guy at the grocery store with two pistols on his hips, with extra magazines.

[-] jdr@lemmy.ml 9 points 4 weeks ago

Surely they aren't so tyranical as to deny me a bayonet?

[-] P00ptart@lemmy.world 8 points 4 weeks ago

Lol I'm pretty sure that'd be fine as long as it's on a musket.

[-] urushitan@kakera.kintsugi.moe 6 points 4 weeks ago

TALLY HO, LADS

[-] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago

Big IRON! BIG IRON!

[-] ReedReads@lemmy.zip 13 points 4 weeks ago

Probably.

I wonder if I can tow a trebuchet behind my Chevy Silverado.

[-] whaleross@lemmy.world 5 points 4 weeks ago

Launching children with automatic weapons over 300 meters.

[-] Atomic@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 weeks ago

Funny thing about that. Someone here in Sweden emailed the police if it was legal to own a trebuchet or if you needed a weapons liscense for it. (The police issue weapon licenses)

The response was that of course no one has ever tried, so there is no formal ruling. But crossbows require a weapons license while bows do not. Because the crossbow can store the energy. So leaning on that reasoning. It would probably require a license.

But I love that the question was asked to our police, and that they gave a serious and thorough answer.

So, technically. As long as you're not breaking any traffic related laws. It is not illegal to mount a trebuchet on a roadworthy wagon and tow it behind your car.

[-] celeste@kbin.earth 11 points 4 weeks ago

Ran into AI article hell trying to look this up.

https://knifeinformer.com/state-knife-laws/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state

https://thelegalguide.org/constitutional-carry-knives-do-knife-laws-follow-gun-carry/

Does constitutional carry for firearms affect my ability to carry a knife? No. Knife laws operate independently of firearm carry laws. A state may allow permitless firearm carry while imposing strict knife restrictions, or vice versa.

https://thegunzone.com/can-you-open-carry-a-bow-and-arrow/

The legality of open carrying a bow and arrow varies dramatically. Some states have no laws specifically addressing the issue, meaning the practice is generally permitted unless prohibited by local ordinance. Other states might consider a drawn or easily accessible bow and arrow a concealed weapon if specific conditions are met, such as having the bow strung and an arrow nocked in a populated area.

[-] Atomic@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

Interesting. Because i was just thinking, an arrow knocked but undrawn, how is that any different from having a gun in your holster, bullet in the chamber.

Knives i get, because of the concealment issue. But an actual sword worn on the hip in a scabard. It's not concealed. And I'd argue far less dangerous than a gun.

Not that rules or laws are under obligation to make sense, unfortunately.

[-] ITGuyLevi@programming.dev 2 points 4 weeks ago

In Georgia they changed from a concealed firearm permit to a weapons license a while back. It removes a lot of the confusion.

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 7 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

It is legal to carry swords in California, but only if they are sheathed. "Open carry" only applies to firearms here, so bows are okay to be carried around in the open.

[-] Furbag@pawb.social 9 points 4 weeks ago

California has some of the weirdest rules. It was a felony to even possess nunchaku in the state until as recent as 2022. Meanwhile, you can own a big ass fucking machete and the law specifies that you must open carry it when you take it anywhere, but a balisong is still illegal to possess, concealed or otherwise.

I feel like a lot of the weapon laws were drafted as emotional responses to very specific events, both real and imagined, and nobody ever bothered to go back over the data after the fact to see if the bans actually did anything.

[-] porkloin@lemmy.world 4 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Things were never the same after the 1913 San Luis Obispo Nunchaku Massacre

[-] BladeFederation@piefed.social 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

It was implemented because, and I shit you not, due to a fear of roving karate gangs of delinquent youths, when Asian martial arts schools started rapidly popping up in America in the 70s. Needless to say, this fear was as realistic as the Satanic panic surrounding DnD the following decade.

[-] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 weeks ago

In Alberta, Canada's Texas, swords may be carried if sheathed. My buddy wore a broadsword to uni class - slung over the back in that way that you maybe slice off your ear if you need to draw it - until the uni banned it on their property.

[-] Atomic@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 weeks ago

That's pretty neat. Thanks

And i assume pulling the sword out would be "brandishing a weapon"

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 4 weeks ago

Maybe? I think it would have to include threats but I am not 100% on that. Like, it might be okay to unsheathe it to show it off, like if you were selling it and the buyer wanted to check it for damage. 🤷‍♂️

[-] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 4 weeks ago

Depends on the state, and even some states that don't let you carry guns (or cities, like NYC), will let you open carry blades.

Good luck though unless you've been trained in the Wu-Tang Swordstyle.

Bows, still depends, less commonly allowed though.

[-] SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 weeks ago

I'm pretty sure there's still a difference between 'open carry' and 'brandishing a weapon'. So you probably could, as long as you didn't brandish it

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 4 weeks ago

not necessarily. the us interpretation of the second has only ever been about guns. weapons like you mention are often banned as well as body armor and less than lethal weapons.

[-] Atomic@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 weeks ago

I do find it hilarious that you might be allowed to openly carry a firearm, but a bow with arrows, that's where we draw the line!

Perhaps in the context of that bow and arrow is silent? Where as you cannot discharge a firearm without anyone knowing.

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 4 weeks ago

it annoys me that defensive things like bullet proof clothing and tazers are often illegal. So its legal to defend yourself with lethal force but if you don't want to kill people then to bad so sad for you.

[-] Seimhe@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

Is also wonder about a guillotine on little wheels.

[-] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 5 points 4 weeks ago

It's worth spending extra to get the big wheels. The little ones just aren't very stable.

[-] Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org 2 points 4 weeks ago
load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2026
61 points (96.9% liked)

No Stupid Questions

49687 readers
52 users here now

No such thing. Ask away!

!nostupidquestions is a community dedicated to being helpful and answering each others' questions on various topics.

The rules for posting and commenting, besides the rules defined here for lemmy.world, are as follows:

Rules (interactive)


Rule 1- All posts must be legitimate questions. All post titles must include a question.

All posts must be legitimate questions, and all post titles must include a question. Questions that are joke or trolling questions, memes, song lyrics as title, etc. are not allowed here. See Rule 6 for all exceptions.



Rule 2- Your question subject cannot be illegal or NSFW material.

Your question subject cannot be illegal or NSFW material. You will be warned first, banned second.



Rule 3- Do not seek mental, medical and professional help here.

Do not seek mental, medical and professional help here. Breaking this rule will not get you or your post removed, but it will put you at risk, and possibly in danger.



Rule 4- No self promotion or upvote-farming of any kind.

That's it.



Rule 5- No baiting or sealioning or promoting an agenda.

Questions which, instead of being of an innocuous nature, are specifically intended (based on reports and in the opinion of our crack moderation team) to bait users into ideological wars on charged political topics will be removed and the authors warned - or banned - depending on severity.



Rule 6- Regarding META posts and joke questions.

Provided it is about the community itself, you may post non-question posts using the [META] tag on your post title.

On fridays, you are allowed to post meme and troll questions, on the condition that it's in text format only, and conforms with our other rules. These posts MUST include the [NSQ Friday] tag in their title.

If you post a serious question on friday and are looking only for legitimate answers, then please include the [Serious] tag on your post. Irrelevant replies will then be removed by moderators.



Rule 7- You can't intentionally annoy, mock, or harass other members.

If you intentionally annoy, mock, harass, or discriminate against any individual member, you will be removed.

Likewise, if you are a member, sympathiser or a resemblant of a movement that is known to largely hate, mock, discriminate against, and/or want to take lives of a group of people, and you were provably vocal about your hate, then you will be banned on sight.



Rule 8- All comments should try to stay relevant to their parent content.



Rule 9- Reposts from other platforms are not allowed.

Let everyone have their own content.



Rule 10- Majority of bots aren't allowed to participate here. This includes using AI responses and summaries.



Credits

Our breathtaking icon was bestowed upon us by @Cevilia!

The greatest banner of all time: by @TheOneWithTheHair!

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS