Kilting in Church - Sgian dubh?

[Singlemalt]

I hope we don't ever get to the state where police and lawmakers can't also use common sense and discretion. I know here in Canada even a screwdriver can be considered "burglary tools" and you can be charged with possession of them under certain circumstances. However 99.9% of the time being in possession of a screwdriver is taken for just what it is, a useful tool.

[Droid]

I hope we don't ever get to the state where police and lawmakers can't also use common sense and discretion. I know here in Canada even a screwdriver can be considered "burglary tools" and you can be charged with possession of them under certain circumstances. However 99.9% of the time being in possession of a screwdriver is taken for just what it is, a useful tool.

It's the same in California. Having a crow bar or a screwdriver in the wrong place at the wrong time could be a very bad thing, but, generally, it's fine to own and carry such things. I'm a locksmith and have a license to carry "burglary tools" as long as I have the little piece of paper stating so on me.

I recently looked up the rules for carrying long blades, dirks, and swords here in California. Concealed, meaning in a pocket or pouch, the knife must be a folding knife. For fixed blades, they must be sheathed and worn on the belt in plain view. The law is vague on length restrictions. Various areas (such as schools or government buildings) have further restrictions.

Back to the OP. If you are devout and trying to follow every written and unwritten aspect of religious law/tradition, then don't wear the knife. (And, didn't I see a post where the OP said they went, wore it, and nothing came of it?) Personally, I'd be more afraid of offending a police officer than a priest.

It is most valuable to know your local laws, both by the letter and by the custom. Open carry of firearms is legal in some states/cities, but, if you go downtown to a crowded area with a firearm on your hip, you WILL get stopped and questioned my the local authorities. You might not be charged with anything, but they will stop you to see what is going on.

[Zardoz]

Jailed for acting in self-defense, and "zero tolerance of all knives"? Only one word comes to mind: tyranny....

I was thinking 'Police State' , I wonder how zero tolerance of all knives works in a steak house?

[Panache]

Is it bad form to wear a sgian dubh to church? I'm not a member of this church, and we're going as guests. My host said it was okay to wear my kilt... I don't want to make a mistake on this.

Thanks!

Jared

Jared,

In answer to your question you must ask your self

Is your sgian dubh is, in your eyes, a weapon?

If so, then it would probably be best to leave it at home. A house of God is a place of peace.

If not, and in your eyes it is a tool like a pocket knife or merely decorative, then by all means wear it.

If regardless of how you think of it, the idea of wearing a sgian dubh makes you uncomfortable, by all means leave it at home! Life is too short to worry about small stuff.

Hope this was of help

Cheers

Jamie

[TheBrus]

Jamie, that was exactly the thought process I used on the day. Thanks!

[Jock Scot]

To be fair to the Scots police and the Scots lawmakers they are only reacting to the appalling behavior of a minority in Scotland. Again to be fair to the Scots police, on the whole they have very effectively used their discretion sympathetically. Perfectly? Well perhaps not. However the fast growing knife culture in places in Scotland has genuinely needed some pretty drastic measures. I think I have said enough.

[Frank McGrath]

Jamie, I echo your comment. Good taste and sensibility trumps on any occasion.

I have not worn my SD in ages. I do keep a swiss army toolbox (knife) in my backpack, along with a small screwdriver with 4 tips and a Maglite. I also keep several wire ties with the tools. I mistakenly attempted to board a flight without removing this stuff from the back pack. When the TSA guy saw the wire ties, all he said was, "Where's the duct tape. He let me through. But I have never done it since.

[glasgow32]

I wear a kilt to Church every Sunday. I am Catholic and my Church of England. We go to her Church in the morning and mine in the evening. I do not carry a SD, but on occassion wear my dirk. At Christmas Mass I always wear the dirk and baskethilt broadsword with white cross-belt. The Priest at my Catholic Church has never said anything to me about it. Granted I'm not running around with it out, it's not intended in my mind as a weapon, only as ornamentation.

[MacBean]

I used to carry a knife in the rain forests, but never used it; a machete was so much better. I wore that to town once, and was quickly warned never to do that afain. I don't find knives very useful anymore so wouldn't normally carry or wear one. Is it OK to put a Bic in one's sock or is that too geeky

[ThistleDown]

A dandelion would be good, Mark.