Wayne State Student Released of Knife Carrying Charges
Last summer a Wayne State University student was arrested for possession of knives. This week, the judge ruled it an unjustly arrest. The students was carrying a concealed 5-inch knife in his waistband and a 10-inch knife on his hip known as a Kirpan. The carrying of a kirpan at all times is a ritual of Sikhism, an Indian-based religion.
Detroit 36th District Court Judge Rudy Serra ruled last month that the knife ordinance was intended to apply to people carrying “a knife as a weapon or for some unlawful purpose.”
Since Garcha was carrying the kirpan for religious reasons, the ordinance did not apply, the judge said.
The story (found here) doesn’t at all mention the jurisdiction on the concealed, 5-inch knife he was also possessing. According to Detroit’s knife ordinance, knives over 3-inches are prohibited to be possessed in public.
interesting point johnny… perhaps the mistaken accusation in light of the kirpan overshadowed the 5″ knife… it is unfortunate…
Yeah – GReeeaaat…. what’s next:
Scene at Airport: “Oh I’m carrying 15 hand-grenades, 2 lbs. of Semtex, and an AK-47 – for Religious Reasons!”
it is rather interesting because i know that almost every Sikh has a knife on him… but it would be completely outrageous to their beliefs if they were to ever use it as a weapon…
it’s a touchy issue… one i’m sure wayne st. u didn’t want to mess with…