Legality of Butterfly Knives(Balisong)

[RudyN]

My Butterfly knife has a blade that is only xxinches long so it stays home at my computer desk. Forgot to say that a friend of mine brought it back from the Phillippines.

[bohoki]

i think it is under the "gravity knife" provision

but like our ak's are look alike machine guns

they also have california legal look alike ballisongs

http://cgi.ebay.com/Switch-Spring-Assisted-Stiletto-Butterfly-Blade-Knife-/270572225593?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3eff5c8439

[Carnivore]

Bohoki is right it is considered a Gravity knife not a switch blade. Can't believe I used to carry 2 of them in plane site on my belt in my high school in 85. Now the FBI, National guard and most likely the delta force would be called if I did that.....well a kid in high school anyway.

[bigcalidave]

Yep, I remember being a kid in Connecticut carrying ninja stars and butterfly knives to school... Wasn't that long ago either.

[Astig Boy]

[KylaGWolf]

Butterfly knives fall under the gravity clause of that PC.

And my ex husband taught me how to open a butterfly knife faster than most could open a switchblade.

[247Nino]

knife shop at pier39 in SF sells butterflies...

[CA_Libertarian]

I would take my own eye out if I was allowed to own one of these... good thing the CA Legislature is here to keep me safe!

Wait... you can still own these as long as the blade is <2"?!?!

The nanny state has failed me. Good thing the taxpayers will pay for my medical bills when I end up with a 1.998" knife wound to the eye!

[Nick Justice]

653k. Every person who possesses in the passenger's or driver's
area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the
public, carries upon his or her person, and every person who sells,
offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or gives to any
other person a switchblade knife having a blade two or more inches in
length is guilty of a misdemeanor.
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.
For purposes of this section, "passenger's or driver's area" means
that part of a motor vehicle which is designed to carry the driver
and passengers, including any interior compartment or space therein.

Not one word about "in the home". You could also argue that if the knife has a mechanical locking device which must be undone before allowing the user to expose the blade, this should count as a "mechanism which provides resistance that must be overcome". See the photo. All four of the knives have a latch to keep the knife closed, to avoid accidental opening.

I make no promises or guarantees, and I would need to look up any case law.

[ROCKILLER]

Not one word about "in the home".

It doesnt have to. That section of the PC only applies to ,"the passenger's or driver's area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the
public, carries upon his or her person..." At home sitting on a shelf is none of those and therefore it doesnt apply.

You could also argue that if the knife has a mechanical locking device which must be undone before allowing the user to expose the blade, this should count as a "mechanism which provides resistance that must be overcome".

You could.... but you would lose

[duldej]

penal code section 12021 pertains to knives over 4", and excepts smaller ones in its subsection (d).

[Tarn_Helm]

couldn't tell you

Just wondering if anyone knows the law surrounding these knives? What about practice balisong knives?

Don't know, but . . .

[bohoki]

you mean like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/FURY-KNIVES-PRACTICE-BUTTERFLY-BOTTLE-OPENER-NIB-/370376329198

[obeygiant]

you mean like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/FURY-KNIVES-PRACTICE-BUTTERFLY-BOTTLE-OPENER-NIB-/370376329198

nice find!

[leitung]

I swear leave it to Cali to ban something cool..
I have spoons sharper then some of those knives..