Greece
It is illegal to carry a knife for use as a weapon in attack or defense. The only general restriction is intended use, not the properties of the knife itself (in particular, there is no restriction of blade length, despite popular belief). In practice there will be significant leeway for interpretation and much will depend on whether a use other than as a weapon can be argued, for which the properties of the knife in question will be relevant. In addition, it is not allowed to carry knives in certain places, such as courtrooms, to football matches, etc.
While carrying a knife is very unusual in the urban centers of Greece, many sorts of knives are used with no problems outside of towns, though normally not carried openly. The general level of violence and crime is much lower than in most of the European Union.
Law 2168/1993 on weapons, explosives, etc.
"Article 1. Meaning of terms, applicability
...
ยง 2. Objects that offer themselves to attack or defense are also considered weapons. In particular:
...
b) Knives of all sorts, except those where ownership is justified by use in the home, profession or education, or art, hunting, fishing or other similar uses."
The remaining sections refer to: a) sprays and electro-shockers, c) knuckle dusters, clubs, nunchakus, etc., d) flame throwers or chemical sprays, e) fishing spear-guns.
No license is needed for import, trade or carrying of knives for these uses (Art 7, 5).
See also the constitutional court decision 1299/2008 where the intended use of the weapon found in the car of two criminals is the point of discussion.
A useful article from a hunting journal (in Greek).
Read more about this topic: Knife Legislation
Famous quotes containing the word greece:
“It was modesty that invented the word “philosopher” in Greece and left the magnificent overweening presumption in calling oneself wise to the actors of the spirit—the modesty of such monsters of pride and sovereignty as Pythagoras, as Plato.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“The science, the art, the jurisprudence, the chief political and social theories, of the modern world have grown out of Greece and Rome—not by favor of, but in the teeth of, the fundamental teachings of early Christianity, to which science, art, and any serious occupation with the things of this world were alike despicable.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)