[OT] Carrying a knife

[DWARF]

I've carried a knife around pretty much most of my life. I'm not some crazy gang member or anything, I've been in scouts a lot; camping and hunting have been part of my upbringing, and as such, a knife is a very useful tool.

So, most of my life I've carried a knife with me, the way I carry my wallet or keys; I'm leaving the house and I make sure I have it. It's not a weapon; I've never drawn it in anger or to hurt someone.

I'm 22 years old now and almost done my Undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta.

And this monday, at work, the night manager saw I had a knife. Now, I work at a restaurant, so we have a lot of knives around the kitchen and utility knives around the closets and such, so the fact that there are knives there isn't really an issue with me. But the night manager took such offense that she called the main manager, but when he was unavailable, she said I had to turn it over to her to be locked up while I worked, or I would be sent home.

Eventually I talked to the main manager and he said that since she had a problem with it, and there really was no reason for me to be carrying it when I work, that I shouldn't; since it's causing a problem.

Now, am I the criminal here? Have I somehow done something wrong? Is there really such a bad stigma attached to someone who carries a knife with them?
I'd really appreciate it if someone could enlighten me because I'm baffled. It's like they're asking me to lock my car keys up while I'm working because it could be used as a weapon...

 

[Mark]

Their property, their rules, I suppose. Do you really need it at work or is it just that you want to make a point now?

 

[Plane Sailing]

I would have thought it shouldn't be a big deal for you. I don't know anything about the US law on the matter, but if you have freedom to carry your knife around you also have freedom to willingly restrict your freedom for the benefit of others...

The mature response seems, to me, to say "sure, no problem" and just carry on with life.

Cheers

 

[DWARF]

But that's my point, what benefit is it giving others? If it's the fact that I'm carrying around a potential "weapon" how about the fact that the kitchen has a couple of 2 foot long pizza cutting knives, that could pass as small Falchions.

And not carrying one isn't that big of a deal, but it's like they're asking me to not carry my car keys, or that i shouldn't have pictures of my family in my wallet, since it might be a distraction...

 

[Mark]

But that's my point, what benefit is it giving others?

Apparently, and no matter how misguided, peace of mind for the night manager.

 

[Numion]

But that's my point, what benefit is it giving others? If it's the fact that I'm carrying around a potential "weapon" how about the fact that the kitchen has a couple of 2 foot long pizza cutting knives, that could pass as small Falchions.

And not carrying one isn't that big of a deal, but it's like they're asking me to not carry my car keys, or that i shouldn't have pictures of my family in my wallet, since it might be a distraction...

Would you be ok if everyone carried guns with them in your work? Some people just don't make a difference between weapons.. regardless whether you carry it as a weapon or not.

 

[Hygric]

Here in New South Wales, Australia, you could be arrested for carrying a knife, and have that knife confiscated. You are only allowed to be in possesion of a knife under limited circumstances.

Funny thing though, you are allowed to carry a cricket bat or hockey stick with you...

 

[Gossamerblade]

I've spent a few years collecting knives and swords.

Here in Ga., I was required to get a weapons permit (concealed-carry license, same thing as for a gun) in order to carry anything on my person larger than (I think it was) 4 inches.

The difference between the knife you carry and the knives in the kitchen is that the first is on your person. If you took a kitchen knife and stuck it in your belt to carry around, weapons laws would apply to it too.

 

[Numion]

Funny thing though, you are allowed to carry a cricket bat or hockey stick with you...

Hockey stick is used for sports, namely ice-hockey. So where is teh funny, unless stabbing is also a sport there?

 

[Piratecat]

Would you be ok if everyone carried guns with them in your work?

Don't go here, folks.