Dirk Law and Legal Definition
Dirk is a Scottish word for a short dagger. It is a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt, rather than a knife blade. Its blade length and style varied, but it was generally 7–14 inches (170 to 350 mm).
In U.S, dirk is a term used in the knife laws of several states. While it generally means any double-edged knife, the legal meaning may vary from state to state.
The following is an example of a State Statute (California) on Dirk:
According to Cal Ed Code § 48915 "knife" means any dirk, dagger, or other weapon with a fixed, sharpened blade fitted primarily for stabbing, a weapon with a blade fitted primarily for stabbing, a weapon with a blade longer than 31/2 inches, a folding knife with a blade that locks into place, or a razor with an unguarded blade.
