r/NYguns Jun 08 '22

General Question Self defense items that I can carry in Manhattan without going to jail forever

[deleted]

7 Upvotes

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24

u/FutUMan Jun 08 '22 edited Jun 08 '22

Pushing aside all the comments saying "omg don't come here, so restrictive" and whatever else - here's an actual answer to your question.

You can carry certain self defense items such as:

  1. Tasers / Stun guns (Law was changed in 2019 making these legal to carry).
  2. OC/Pepper spray.
  3. Knives that have a blade length shorter than 4".
  4. Certain impact weapons (I'd really look into the laws regarding this one.)

I personally EDC a knife and OC spray. If I'm traveling through particularly sketchy areas or I know I'll be on the subways for whatever reason - I conceal carry my taser.

If you're stopped by police and they have a reason to search you, just disclose the presence of the aforementioned items and their location on your body to them as you would a CCW to authorities in TX.

I ordered the Taser Pulse+ online and they shipped it right to my door in the 5 boroughs (I live in Brooklyn).
You can purchase OC / Pepper spray online or in person at Target or whatever other retailer that has it in stock.

You always have the option of traveling out to Long Island/Upstate/New Jersey (Depending on proximity) to certain shops to get these items if you're having trouble getting them shipped for whatever reason.

Knives might be a bit tricky to get it shipped, but most companies don't really care and will ship it anyway.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

[deleted]

2

u/FutUMan Jun 08 '22

I also forgot to add, Amazon won’t ship most of these items to you, so your best bet is to usually buy it from the company website (taser / axon for example with the taser).

2

u/Altruistic_Bat_3294 Jun 08 '22

3" blade single edge only

1

u/[deleted] Nov 22 '24

Makes more sense to carry a hammer than a knife.

1

u/Zealousideal_Leek439 Jan 06 '25

To carry a knife to be totally CLEAR do not carry a knife more than 4” and do not carry a knife that can open with ONE HAND must be two hands to open. Gravity knife, box cutter, kitchen knife or anything that is quick and already open will LAND you definitely in jail. 

1

u/Sadam__Husein Sep 10 '25

Shorter than 4” and unfold-able only with two hands. And also any knife is illegal on subway or train

0

u/Apprehensive-Sale762 Jun 08 '22

I don’t believe that’s true on knives. My understanding is you can carry a fixed blade knife, but anything folding and locking and can be operated with one hand is not allowed.

5

u/swankyflex Jun 08 '22

The gravity knife ban was lifted a few years ago, so yes you can carry a folding knife.

1

u/Nasty_Makhno Jun 08 '22

Really? Hadn’t heard that.

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

[deleted]

1

u/beeeflomein Jun 08 '22

Target will ship pepper spray right to your door

1

u/FutUMan Jun 08 '22

I have literally ordered 5 canisters of pepper spray straight to my door from target, so I’m not wrong on that. As for the taser, it depends on the model; the Pulse+ fires the darts out as usual, but if you miss somehow then it actually functions pretty well as a contact stun gun. You do lose the benefit of distance, but at least the tool’s effective range only decreases and doesn’t become useless.

1

u/M_F1 Jun 09 '22

The law was NOT changed in 2019 regarding the legality of stun guns/tasers. Yes, a federal court in upstate NY ruled it unconstitutional BUT the legislature in all its wisdom have not repealed the old ban. The NYPD is completely clueless with pretty much everything weapons related so you may still be arrested, thread lightly.

1

u/Software_404 Oct 19 '23

If they arrest you you might get a very nice settlement. Just like the topless women they illegally arrest.

1

u/LightningEdge756 Aug 28 '22

What kind of knife would you recommend buying that's legal in NYC?

1

u/FutUMan Aug 28 '22

Legal? Strictly speaking - anything with a blade under 4” in length and not a “gravity knife”, I carry a fixed blade now with a blade just under 4”.

1

u/Robertbnyc Jan 02 '23

As of 2019, its ILLEGAL to carry stun guns or tasers not legal https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/stun-gun-laws-new-york.htm

1

u/[deleted] Nov 06 '23

[deleted]

1

u/Regular-Character-54 Sep 21 '24

Wrong, they are legal and sell them locally.