CA Knife Laws

[Khromo]

Could a person in California sell a balisong to an out-of-state buyer, through an internet forum for instance?

Or would it actually be necessary for him to drive the knives out of CA before offering them for sale?

[Librarian]

Could a person in California sell a balisong to an out-of-state buyer, through an internet forum for instance?

Or would it actually be necessary for him to drive the knives out of CA before offering them for sale?

Since the text says

Every person who does any of the following with a
switchblade knife having a blade two or more inches in length is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(a) Possesses the knife in the passenger's or driver's area of any
motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public.
(b) Carries the knife upon the person.
(c) Sells, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or
gives the knife to any other person.

and generally CA law applies only inside CA (there are exceptions, not pertinent here), your answer should be 'don't do the actions in (c) inside CA'.

[Librarian]

Just recovered a link from long ago (2002) - http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/knifelaw.html

Jim March was how I found Calguns.

This thread is a less-entertainingly-written version of his old post.

[Pinkie Pie]

I can guess the answer already however I thought I would ask you as you are more knowledgeable about California knife laws by far than I am and before I pay money to an attorney to answer the question. I also know each municipality, city, and county has separate ordnances governing the carrying of knives in addition to the State Laws but I am just asking a general in California State law question. That all said. Do you think it legal under California state law to carry a Spyderco Ronin 2 fixed blade openly on your belt (blade length is 4.08") for civilians? Thanks!

[Librarian]

How is blade length measured and defined by law? Is it just the measurement of the cutting edge or from the point until it meets the handle? Is a folding knife exceeding a blade length of 3in legally allowed of carry in the city of los angeles and los angeles county?

See post 8, above

No 'official' way to measure. And it mostly does not matter, but of course does in LA city/county, as you mention.

I think I'd rely on the manufacturer's description.

[Librarian]

Alright thanks. So regarding a folding from the laws POV, it seems that since it doesn't directly mention folding knives but mentions blade lengths of 3in and above being prohibited and whether or not you get charged will depend on the DA's discretion?

Always.

And, whether it gets to an arrest, such that charges may be laid, seems often to be related to failing the 'attitude test' with LE.

[GEORGEP]

SOR XR Question

I have been looking at a few SOG folders that are being sold at REI, Dicks Sporting Goods, and several other stores in Los Angeles lately. They are all Assisted Opening, and the blade locks in position when fully extended. My question relates to what SOG calls the XR lock.

I understand how the XR mechanism locks the blade open, however, when you watch video reviews of these various folders it appears as though you could take the knife while in the folded position and push the XR levers down. Most of the videos show that with the XR bars pushed dow, the blade can drop from the body of the knife and with a strong snap of the wrist locks into position.

Isn't this the same as ..released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever.. verbiage in the switchblade definition?

They look nice and I can't believe so many large chains would be selling them locally if there was an issue. Am I missing something here in the definition?

[Librarian]

I have been looking at a few SOG folders that are being sold at REI, Dicks Sporting Goods, and several other stores in Los Angeles lately. They are all Assisted Opening, and the blade locks in position when fully extended. My question relates to what SOG calls the XR lock.

I understand how the XR mechanism locks the blade open, however, when you watch video reviews of these various folders it appears as though you could take the knife while in the folded position and push the XR levers down. Most of the videos show that with the XR bars pushed dow, the blade can drop from the body of the knife and with a strong snap of the wrist locks into position.

Isn't this the same as ..released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever.. verbiage in the switchblade definition?

They look nice and I can't believe so many large chains would be selling them locally if there was an issue. Am I missing something here in the definition?

This one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-njQhjBhUE

Hmm -

For the purposes of this section, "switchblade knife" means a
knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a
spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife or any other
similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more
inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick
of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other
mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by
any type of mechanism whatsoever. "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.

It's a little bit of a stretch, I think, but the argument might successfully be made. It's the apparent lack of 'bias toward closure' I find concerning.

[GEORGEP]

I agree, The Tac X model looks nice, but I will not purchase until it can be explained how it meets compliance standards.

[GEORGEP]

LA City Question

OK, I see the muni section regarding no open carrying of any knife in a pouch with a blade of 3 inches or more. The question is can you carry a regular old style folded pocket knife (not a switchblade) with a 3 inch or longer blade if it is completely concealed within a pocket or purse?

The reason I ask is there is another muni section (I think 55.01) that says anyone wanting to carry a concealed weapon must have a permit from the city. I don't know if this section only applies to firearms or everything else. It would seem that if it applies to everything, that everyone with pepper spray in their purse or pocket would need to follow the Muni section and get a permit.

And what do they mean by weapon in this muni section? The knife that I would carry would be used as a tool to open packages, letters etc. and complete woodworking projects. These sections are very vague.

[Librarian]

55.01 seems to apply to firearms -

SEC. 55.01. CONCEALED WEAPONS – PERMIT.

No person, except a peace officer shall wear or in any manner carry concealed upon his person, any loaded or unloaded gun, pistol or revolver, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon permitted to be carried by law without having, at the same time, actually in his possession, and upon his person an unexpired permit so to do issued by the Board of Police Commissioners.

There's no suggestion here that the city issues, even theoretically, permits to carry concealed knives.

The usual followup is 'is a knife carried with its clip exposed concealed or open?' and I have no way to tell; a LEO who sees the clip might think it would be 'exposed/open'.

[GEORGEP]

So it sounds like it would be legal in LA to carry a Leatherman multitool that has a knife blade (folded) among it's many tools in it's collapsed state, or a folded pocket knife if either are carried completely concealed within a purse or pocket with no clip exposed.

[The Tiger]

City of Glendale CA Bold is my doing. As I read this they don't distinguish between types of knives, folder or fixed. When they say "plain view" I'm assuming that means open carry. I take this to mean you can't open carry a 3" fixed blade. You can carry a concealed folder that is otherwise legal in the state.

- http://www.qcode.us/codes/glendale/?...-9_24-9_24_050

9.24.050 Carrying or wearing of knives or daggers in plain view in public areas—Prohibited.

A. No person shall wear or carry in plain view any knife or dagger while in any public place, or on any public street, or upon any place open to the public.

B. The prohibitions of this section shall not apply where a person is wearing or carrying a knife or dagger for use in a lawful occupation or for the purpose of lawful recreation, or where the carrying or wearing of a knife or dagger is a recognized religious practice, or while the person is traveling to or returning from the activities specified in this subsection.

C. For the purposes of this section, the terms “knife” and “dagger” shall include any knife, dirk, or dagger having a blade three (3) inches or more in length

[Big Chudungus]

there was a conversation on Calguns recently where the parties were convinced fixed blade in glove box or otherwise not in plain view in CA was "concealed" (so need to switch to folding knives).

I'll try to find it.

But from THIS thread I'm understanding fixed blade knives are perfectly OK in car concealed or not, correct?

Ok to carry Bowie knife in car door side pocket or under seat?

Also, how much needs to be showing to not be considered "concealed on person"? What if the sheath if stuffed into a pouch on backpack shoulder strap and the belt loop is preventing 80+ of the handle from being viewed from head on? (asking for a friend)

What about a Mora knife clipped in cargo pants with less than 1/2 the handle showing?

[Sir Toast]

I can guess the answer already however I thought I would ask you as you are more knowledgeable about California knife laws by far than I am and before I pay money to an attorney to answer the question. I also know each municipality, city, and county has separate ordnances governing the carrying of knives in addition to the State Laws but I am just asking a general in California State law question. That all said. Do you think it legal under California state law to carry a Spyderco Ronin 2 fixed blade openly on your belt (blade length is 4.08") for civilians? Thanks!

HOLY CRAP! PINKIE PIE IS BACK! WELCOME BACK SIR.

Your melt down thread where you called out the head janitor was epic.



Thanks Librarian. I really was in the dark about all of the laws on knives in California.