Automatic knife question

[jbar106]

Is it legal for a civilian to sell, or offer for sale, an automatic knife to a LEO in CA? If so, does it need to be approved by the LEO's department?
Thank you!

[P5Ret]

There is no exemption for LEO possession of an automatic knife in CA. So the simple answer is NO.

[jbar106]

LAX Ammo in Inglewood is one example of several shops that has automatic knives for sale. I'm sure they are for LEO only, but I will call and confirm. I am pretty certain, P5Ret, that LEO can buy, own, and carry switchblades.

My question is, can I sell a switchblade to one of them?

[jbar106]

Now... is it possible that places sell switchblades to LEO, but this is not exactly legal?

[Samuelx]

Technically...

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=21510

Penal Code - PEN

PART 6. CONTROL OF DEADLY WEAPONS [16000 - 34370] ( Part 6 added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 711, Sec. 6. )

TITLE 3. WEAPONS AND DEVICES OTHER THAN FIREARMS [19910 - 23025] ( Title 3 added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 711, Sec. 6. )

DIVISION 5. KNIVES AND SIMILAR WEAPONS [20200 - 21590] ( Division 5 added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 711, Sec. 6. )

CHAPTER 5. Switchblade Knife [21510 - 21590] ( Chapter 5 added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 711, Sec. 6. )

21510.

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.

(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 711, Sec. 6. (SB 1080) Effective January 1, 2011. Operative January 1, 2012, by Sec. 10 of Ch. 711.)

[etwinam]

The launch 4 is CA legal due to it's blade length. Perhaps that is what you're seeing, I've never been to LAX ammo, I think we have one in San Diego. I've been meaning to stop by but I haven't ever been.

Correct me If I'm wrong but LEO exemptions only apply to off roster guns and batons I believe. Any agency issued weapons have special exemptions as well since they're technically not owned by the officer.

I'd love a launch 7 but even if I could get one I wouldn't be able to carry it anywhere so what's the point.

[jbar106]

Samuelx, yes thank you, I've read the penal code and you are correct. There doesn't seem to be an exemption for LEO. I know that LEO's can buy them here in LA, so... is it legal or isn't it?

[jbar106]

etwinam, Protech makes a knife called the Half-Breed that has a 1.9" blade but a full size handle. This should be legal to carry almost everywhere in CA.

My thread is in reference to a Benchmade Infidel OTF, definitely not legal for civilian carry in CA. If you look at Sameulx's post of the CA Penal Code, it is illegal to
- Possess the knife in the passenger’s or driver’s area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public.
- Carry the knife upon the person.
- Transfer the knife to another person.

Nowhere in that code is ownership or importation explicitly or implicitly prohibited.

[jbar106]

Theoretically, you should be able to drive/fly to NV or AZ, and buy yourself a switchblade and bring it back to CA.

In the Penal Code, there are a whole bunch of things--brass knuckles, billy clubs, cane knives, belt buckle knives, etc.--in which possession/importation/manufacture are expressly prohibited.
(See https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...er=2.&article=)
Switchblades are not on that list.

Sorry to have gotten off topic, but it is interesting, and I imagine most Californians aren't aware of this.

[Samuelx]

Samuelx, yes thank you, I've read the penal code and you are correct. There doesn't seem to be an exemption for LEO. I know that LEO's can buy them here in LA, so... is it legal or isn't it?

If the blade is under 2", it's all good. If it's 2" or over, "technically", it's illegal to do (a) (b) and/or (c).

[Samuelx]

Theoretically, you should be able to drive/fly to NV or AZ, and buy yourself a switchblade and bring it back to CA.

Theoretically, let's say you get to NV or AZ however you get to NV or AZ. Once you're there, assuming NV or AZ doesn't have any statutes forbidding or restricting you or someone from CA from purchasing a switchblade knife, it seems like you'd be good to go. If you were driving back, however, you wouldn't be able to possess it in any passenger or driver area of a vehicle and you wouldn't be able to carry it on your person (and BTW, according to this poorly written section, once you got back, you wouldn't be able to carry it on your person Even At Home, behind closed doors and shaded windows!)

[Samuelx]

Btw, fwiw, IMnshO, MOST of the CA weapons laws are piss poorly written!