Suggest a Swiss Army knife with the scissors, etc. Much easier for opening the bags, and then you can use to small tip screwdriver/can-opener for opening pill bottles.
I agree with others - there are no trivial issues with weapons in the Kommunist States. Just because you are a New Yorker and don't get searched does not mean an out-of-state/rental vehicle and occupants will not get searched by the NYS Gestapo, or any of the other Clowns. Many states make a practice of pulling over probable out-of-state persons because they know the tickets are likely to be non-contested.