Thread: Is it legal to carry a Leatherman?

I carry my Spyderco everywhere, I usually leave it at home when going into town to do something but sometimes forget I have it on me.

Originally Posted by savageshooter

A copper would have to be a bit of a tool himself to try and charge someone for it. A kiddy cop or a power mad one maybe. Most coppers in NZ are generally quite sensible.

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

Probably the most appropriate place for a wheel brace to be... short of being attached to a wheel!

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

Mine is under the drivers seat. Found it wasn't much use for engaging the hubs when it was in the boot full of rifle cases and bags. About the only suitable place for it unfortunately.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

Yep...like I said "most" definately not all.

Did he get convicted on this charge?

I had my vehicle searched while at the carpark at Mt Eden Prison while visiting...they [screws] found my leatherman in the glovebox with the knife unfolded...claimed it as an offensive weapon...had it been closed or with the pliers open it would have been ok...had to do some sweet talking to get it back. What I had in my favour was he took the leather pouch as well and I pointed out that that was not necessary as it was not in pouch at the time of confiscation.

Surely there is more to the story.

Not calling bullshit or anything, but there must have been other contribing factors in this case?

Some one summed it up earlier, 'Nanna State' if simply having hand tools the boot of your car is an offence.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

Originally Posted by Moutere

Surely there is more to the story.

Not calling bullshit or anything, but there must have been other contribing factors in this case?

Some one summed it up earlier, 'Nanna State' if simply having hand tools the boot of your car is an offence.

Yeah that's a bit concerning. I always carry a full set of tools in my toolbox in the back of my truck... if a wheel brace gets you in the crap my toolbox would get me in trouble. I've had hoses come off and flat tyres etc. Fixing it yourself certainly beats getting charged for a towie to come out and take you home. That would seem a legit reason. It's not like I've got bolt cutters or anything.

It was a bit of a funny one really, we all thought he was joking when we found out. Maybe 5 years ago and I wasn't there in person so I might be a bit fuzzy on the details, but I've known him since we were kids and I know the guy who was with him, I have no reason to doubt them.

Young fulla, 18/19 at the time, never hurt anyone or been in trouble in his life sort of guy. He was wearing a ninja costume for some kind of fancy dress thing, I think an old lady had seen him getting into his car and called the cops (maybe thought he was stealing it? I dunno). 15 minutes or so later a cop finds him and his mate sitting in the car, parked up eating some burger king before going home.

Cop turns on the attitude, gets him out of the car for a roadside interrogation, refuses to believe anything they tell him, then decides that either way he's going to find something to charge him with and searches the entire car until he finds something he can call a weapon.

From memory he took diversion to make it go away, the lawyer talked him out of fighting it in court.

Basically its a prime example of the sort of ass-hat cop that tries to singlehandedly screw people's respect for all the good ones.

They have bullshit laws like that in the UK too, some poor disabled bugger got 2 years inside for having a pen knife in his glove box for slicing apples. I mentioned this to a pom and an Irishman and they said its his own fault for having the knife!.....I think they have a real "keep off the grass" peasant mindset over there. they have been brainwashed into believing that kind of thing is criminal, prossibly why so many of our UK brothers move here. Huntings free, fishings free, shooting sports are accepted as such.

Originally Posted by savageshooter

They have bullshit laws like that in the UK too, some poor disabled bugger got 2 years inside for having a pen knife in his glove box for slicing apples. I mentioned this to a pom and an Irishman and they said its his own fault for having the knife!.....I think they have a real "keep off the grass" peasant mindset over there. they have been brainwashed into believing that kind of thing is criminal, prossibly why so many of our UK brothers move here. Huntings free, fishings free, shooting sports are accepted as such.

Lets just hope that crap doesn't spread over here. It only takes a few no-good politicians and a bunch of indifferent ones to make that kind of stuff happen.

The UK is a disgusting excuse for a country that once spawned concepts of liberty.

Originally Posted by GravelBen

Unfortunately there are exceptions! A mate of mine got charged for having an offensive weapon, and you know why? He had a wheel-brace in the boot of his car.

That would be bullshit or you only got half the story.

No way would that stand up in court, the police prosecutor wouldn't even run it.

I'd say he got into a fight and went and got the wheel brace out of the car to use.

I've known the guy since he was about 5 so I think I'll take his word over yours, but thanks for your contribution.

You're quite right that it shouldn't happen, but what regular 18 year old kid is going to make a fuss about his rights when an aggro cop is imtimidating him on the side of the road? They were probably quite relieved when he took the diversion offer so they didn't have to look like idiots in court.

I wouldn't guess what the 'real' story was, but stories like that don't stack up and there's clearly an entirely omitted story behind that one.
Although, a mate of mine did get arrested and charged for wilful damage one night many moons ago. The two old coot magistrates had no choice but to throw out the charge, but fined him all the same as he was "an associate of the perpetrator!" My mate paid the fine on top of his $2k lawyers bill, all for something he never even had a hand in. I wouldn't have paid a cent and would've taken it to the media if it were me