[MRM]

I used to be a prosecutor in a big city. I then did antifraud litigation for a major insurer. One of my adjusters got beaten up by the Russian Mafia (actually, I think they were Polish). I now office downtown and regularly walk past foul smelling homeless people to my dark parking ramp after dark. I wear a suit that screams "Middle Class Twit".

I have never carried a gun, except when hunting. I have never carried a knife for self protection. I have never needed either. I seriously doubt that 99% of the people obsessed with guns, knives and self defense will have a legitimate need for a weapon. No homeless guy is going to mess with a guy in a suit who doesn't mess with him and who in response to aggressive panhandling gives a steady stare and say "No.". I've walked into two fights between homeless people and stopped it with not much more than that. I've never been frightened on the street. I was a couple of times in court, but that guy went away for a long time. For killing a bartender in a knife fight.

Edged weapons are allowed depending on state law and local ordinance. Six inch blades are a common limit, some places it is 7, some are as small as 4. Some states make an exception for openly displayed weapons, others don't. It's just too localized of a thing to generalize about what is allowed in your state or city. Call the local DA and they should be able to give you a quick answer.