|
California 2nd Amend. Political Discussion & Activism Discuss gun rights activism and 2A related political topics here. All advice given is NOT legal counsel. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Understanding Los Angeles Knife Carry Laws
I've always aired on the safe side with LA knife laws and carried a sub 3" folder concealed or clipped in my pocket. But I recently picked up a great 3.5" flipper that I want to start carrying concealed so I took another look at the municipal codes and was a little confused by the prohibited knives.
Does "spring blade" knife mean assisted opener? Could "snap blade knife" mean flipper? And if so does that mean its fine to carry either concealed just not a sub 3" version open (clipped inside your pocket)? Seems like I'm fine concealed but I have sub 3" flippers and assisted opening knives and am curious how I can carry them. I'm sure much is up to interpretation (unless there is some case law) and I'm being a bit overly cautions but thought I would reach out to the experts here. Thanks in advance. 13.62.010 Knives and daggers defined. As used in this chapter, the terms “knives and daggers” shall include any knife having a blade of three inches or more in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade or snap-blade knife; any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device; any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool; any straight-edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle. (Ord. 11915 § 1, 1979.) 13.62.020 Carrying knives and daggers in plain view prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to carry on his person, in plain view, any knife or dagger. (Ord. 11915 § 2, 1979.) 13.62.030 Exemptions to chapter applicability. The foregoing restrictions shall not be deemed to prohibit the carrying of ordinary tools or equipment for use in a lawful occupation or for the purpose of lawful recreation, or where the carrying of a knife or dagger is a recognized religious practice. (Ord. 11915 § 3, 1979.) 13.62.040 Violation--Penalty.
__________________
Never Mistake Motion For Action" |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I was under the impression if the knife has a bias toward closed, it was legal. If you have to overcome resistance, its ok.
LA is its own creature. I get worried when my daughter is with her boyfriend in Hollywood. He carries a 3.5" assisted folder inside his back pocket and I have heard this is CCW. I don't want her left alone after some Officer arrests him. |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
The city of LA forbids open carry of fixed blade knives. I am not sure about blade length of a folder. It may be based on the combined IQ of the Mayor and Police Chief so it will be a small number
__________________
Politicians and criminals are moral twins separated only by legal fiction. |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Basically you are OK if you carry any length folder closed and concealed. The LA ordinance language of "spring blade" and "snap blade" are pretty much different ways of refering to switchblades.
I would be careful of carrying any "clip" knife where it can be seen. An LEO may percieve it as being "exposed".
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
LA only has a limit on the length of any knife carried exposed.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Is there case law in regards to carrying a knife with the "clip" exposed? Isn't partially concealed considered concealed?
__________________
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, but let me remind you also that moderation in the persuit of justice is no virtue" -Barry Goldwater “Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.” -Gerald Ford ^ |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I have no case law just advising caution to avoid possible negative LEO interaction.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. Last edited by Decoligny; 04-21-2011 at 7:21 PM.. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Politicians and criminals are moral twins separated only by legal fiction. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
a "just under 3 inch" blade is still a good sized folder.
So if its 2 7/8s long it can be showing. Just as you can carry a switch blade that has a under 2" blade...which I carry daily and people who see it can not believe its legal...LOL |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
If it is a fixed blade knife then it is considered concealed. If it is a folder over 3", then it is considered exposed.
__________________
"Ecuador offers the United States $23 million a year in economic aid, an amount similar to what we were receiving under the tariff benefits, with the purpose of providing human rights training that will contribute to avoid violations of people's privacy, that degrade humanity," --Fernando Alvarado |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
So if I'm understanding this correctly, LA has no additional restrictions above the state's when it comes to assisted openers/flippers as long as the knife meets the state's definition found in 653K:
"Switchblade knife" does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position. Good to know. Funny thing is, when I first moved to LA I got the same piece of advice from three different cops: "I'd carry a gun if I were you,this city is a dangerous place and its only a misdemeanor if you get caught." While I would never follow that advice, I did take to carrying a knife and always wanted to be "extra" legal so I sought out the best sub 3" knives I could find. I settled on the Emerson mini CQC-7 with a 2.9" blade and the lighting fast wave feature. Its legal to carry just about everywhere in the country, but its great to know I can carry any of my folders in my home town (just need to keep the bigger ones concealed).
__________________
Never Mistake Motion For Action" |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
a guy was stopped by LEO. as he turned around, the LEO noticed the top inch of a folder in his back pocket. long story short he did 1 year in prison and lost all appeals. he tried the CCW appeal and lost. He then tried the not a defined knife, dagger or dirk appeal...lost. I don't think I tagged the thread, I just read what Librarian posted, (which should be SOP for any Calgunner). Hope he has that link somewhere and post it again. was a good read on case law. |
#17
|
||||
|
||||
3" max length on openly carried knives, fixed or folding (Los Angeles). For a fixed blade, the knife and/or sheath must be fully exposed (California). For a folder, any part of the knife visible, including the pocket clip, forces it under the 3" limit (Los Angeles).
__________________
"Ecuador offers the United States $23 million a year in economic aid, an amount similar to what we were receiving under the tariff benefits, with the purpose of providing human rights training that will contribute to avoid violations of people's privacy, that degrade humanity," --Fernando Alvarado |
#18
|
||||
|
||||
You can indeed carry a fixed blade knife in a sheath open on your belt in the City of Los Angeles, it just has to be under 3 inches in length.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#19
|
||||
|
||||
Only if that works to the advantage of the prosecutor.
__________________
Politicians and criminals are moral twins separated only by legal fiction. |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
"..having a blade 3 inches or more in length.."
I guess the question is how do they measure blade length? Just the sharpened portion or whatever helps them make the case? Any case law defining blade length? Of course, after reading articles like the one below, seems in the wrong situation legality of the knife may not matter to a LEO. Guess I should carry copies of the laws for knives, like I do for OLLs. http://www.ocregister.com/news/knife...-ramos-illegal Quote:
Please do not post whole articles - see http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=363956
__________________
Never Mistake Motion For Action" Last edited by Librarian; 04-22-2011 at 11:30 AM.. |
#21
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Jeesus that's pointless.... how can you open carry a gun and not a flipping larger knife. California is so chicken clucking stupid I hate this place.
|
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Sorry for reviving an old thread.
I realize we have been variously quoting and interpreting both COUNTY and CITY laws. How do the laws stand INSIDE la county but OUTSIDE la city (e.g. most South bay communities, Santa Monica, etc)? |
#24
|
||||
|
||||
I'm curious, does the sight of a "clip" allow an officer to stop you and perform the knife version of an "e" check (for length)?
__________________
"On bended knee is no way to be free." - Eddie Vedder, "Guaranteed" "Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." -Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his nephew Peter Carr dated August 19, 1785 |
#25
|
||||
|
||||
IIRC the county ordinance is virtually identical to the city ordinance.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#26
|
||||
|
||||
There is no legal equivalent to an e check for a knife. If a cop can articulate a reason to believe that your knife is longer than permitted, then he can investigate a possible crime. If he can say "it appeared to me that the size of the clip was too large for a 3" or smaller knife, then he could probably get away with checking the knife.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
#28
|
||||
|
||||
On two different occasions two different LEO's stole 2 of my S&W swat blades, TWICE!!
Not conficated, they stole it from me! They never told my if I was commiting a crime, nothing, they just stole it. It was a blade that I used for work, and always had it with me in my pocket. on both times, I was pulled over for no good reason given, searched and all, then released to get all my stuff off my hood or trunk of my car, and by the time I realized my blade was missing, the great respectable police officers were long gone.. Thats what I deserved at that time for being a young 20 year old working the night shift and looking suspicious.. bastards.. anyhow, sorry for the long rant, has nothing to do with the original post.. just striked a memory..
__________________
|
#29
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
"You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." John Quincy Adams "You will never know how little my generation has traded away our freedoms and rights for. I'm sorry and ashamed for what we've left to the following generations." voiceofreason |
#30
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Or does that fall under "carrying of ordinary tools or equipment for use in a lawful occupation" especially if I carry one around with me for work almost all day every day? Last edited by swilson; 08-14-2011 at 9:10 AM.. Reason: can't type right |
#31
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
If you are coming home from the job site and it is in either your tool belt or toolbox, I'd say legal. If you are walking home from a night at the bar, and you have it in your jacket pocket, not so much.
__________________
If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, or heard it with your own ears, don't make it up with your small mind, or spread it with your big mouth. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|