California Knife Law, question...

[jvpark]

I tried to read up on the California Knife law and it's a bit confusing... I looks like it depends more on the local city laws.

Here is my question.

1. is caring a knife in your pant pocket w/ the clip exposed considered concealed or to qualify for open carry, does it have to be on your waist?

2. What is the maximum blade length in Los Angeles and is there a State restriction. (I'm not concerned with the restrictions for school and state offices).

3. Is this type of knife (Dirks) illegal or have any restrictions? Nevermind... I found out they are illegal.



4. If someone has been deemed to of broken the law, what is the penalty?

5. Lastly, as a LEO, how do you interpret the law and where would you draw line?

[Foriegn power]

I'm sure many officers deputies are not aware of these particular laws, most likely they will refer to their pc book and use their discretion. But if those are your knives you have a nice collection!

[Turo]

I tried to read up on the California Knife law and it's a bit confusing... I looks like it depends more on the local city laws.

Here is my question.

1. is caring a knife in your pant pocket w/ the clip exposed considered concealed or to qualify for open carry, does it have to be on your waist?
It's generally considered concealed if most, or some, of something is concealed. There's not really a written rule about it, just kind of depends on the DA. Also, there is no restriction to carrying a knife just on your waist, you may carry a fixed blade openly anywhere on your person, or a folding knife wherever you'd like, openly or concealed.

2. What is the maximum blade length in Los Angeles and is there a State restriction. (I'm not concerned with the restrictions for school and state offices).
LA has a city ordnance that prohibits the open carry of any knife with greater than a 3 inch blade. There are no restrictions on the length of a concealed blade. There is no state restriction of length on any folding knife or fixed-blade knife. The only length restriction is on switchblades, which must have a blade less than 2 inches in length.

3. Is this type of knife (Dirks) illegal or have any restrictions?
The blades shown, assuming they are fixed blade knives, are perfectly legal to own, possess, and carry openly in the state of CA. Since they are fixed blade knives, they may not be carried concealed on your person, that's a felony.

4. If someone has been deemed to of broken the law, what is the penalty?
The only law pertaining to those blades is the fixed-blade part, and it's only illegal to carry them concealed. I believe it's a felony wobbler, which means the DA can decide whether to charge the suspect with either a felony or a misdemeanor.

5. Lastly, as a LEO, how do you interpret the law and where would you draw line?
I'm not a LEO, so I can't answer this question.

My responses in BOLD.

I hope this helps you understand our weird CA laws.

[alex00]

1. The manner of carry you describe would be considered concealed if the knife was a fixed blade. A folder may be carried in you pocket with as little or as much of the clip exposed as you desire. A folder may be completely concealed. A fixed blade knife must be completely exposed. If you wear it on your belt, I would make sure that your shirt does not cover the handle, and none of the blade/sheath is covered by your pants.

2. Sorry, I don't know LA codes.

3. All the knives in your picture would qualify as a dirk or dagger, and may not be carried concealed upon your person.

4. The charge is a felony. You could, depending on the charging DA, face state prison time for a conviction. This charge would restrict your rights to own a gun, vote, get a job, etc.

5. Interpretation is very black and white. Either a violation occurred, or it did not. As confusing as laws may seem at first glance, they are pretty specific when it comes to certain violations. Discretion is another matter entirely. There are plenty of people I have not arrested for violations of 12020. Criminal history, honesty and being cooperative all play a role in how I exercise discretion.

[jvpark]

1. The manner of carry you describe would be considered concealed if the knife was a fixed blade. A folder may be carried in you pocket with as little or as much of the clip exposed as you desire. A folder may be completely concealed. A fixed blade knife must be completely exposed. If you wear it on your belt, I would make sure that your shirt does not cover the handle, and none of the blade/sheath is covered by your pants.

2. Sorry, I don't know LA codes.

3. All the knives in your picture would qualify as a dirk or dagger, and may not be carried concealed upon your person.

4. The charge is a felony. You could, depending on the charging DA, face state prison time for a conviction. This charge would restrict your rights to own a gun, vote, get a job, etc.

5. Interpretation is very black and white. Either a violation occurred, or it did not. As confusing as laws may seem at first glance, they are pretty specific when it comes to certain violations. Discretion is another matter entirely. There are plenty of people I have not arrested for violations of 12020. Criminal history, honesty and being cooperative all play a role in how I exercise discretion.

thanks... I read more and Dirks and Daggers are illegal.

So is there a California law on folding knifes blade lengths?

[alex00]

thanks... I read more and Dirks and Daggers are illegal.

So is there a California law on folding knifes blade lengths?

No, dirks and daggers are not illegal. You may not carry them concealed upon your person. That's it. You can wear them openly on your belt. There is no prohibition of double edged weapons, or dirks/daggers. There is no need to worry about those knives you have, as long as they aren't in your pocket, or on a chain around your neck.

There is no prohibition on the length of a folding blade in California. Some local laws may restrict the length.

ETA: Except that apparently in LA, you can't carry them in any legal fasion outside of your house. Get a folder...

[Samuelx]

Excerpted from Los Angeles COUNTY

[jvpark]

Excerpted from Los Angeles COUNTY

that's what i read...

I'm just confused now... if I have a folder (knife) and it's 2" versus 4".. will I get myself into trouble?

[alex00]

Excerpted from Los Angeles COUNTY

that's what i read...

I'm just confused now... if I have a folder (knife) and it's 2" versus 4".. will I get myself into trouble?

In order to comply with the LA code, it does not look like you can carry a 4" folder exposed. The 2" folder would be fine to carry openly or concealed. You may still carry the 4" folder in your pocket, as you won't be in violation of state laws.

[bohoki]

i just got this knife it is an assisted opener

i worry an authority may claim its a large capacity feed device thought since "they" are often quite uninformed

[alex00]

i just got this knife it is an assisted opener

i worry an authority may claim its a large capacity feed device thought since "they" are often quite uninformed

Are you being intentionally obtuse?

[lockandloadllc]

Not to thread jack but Id also like to know about assisted opening knives. Are there special rules on them? I just got a Sog Trident and was wondering if its fine carrying it.

[alex00]

Assisted opening knives are generally OK because they have a bias towards being closed. They require a force on the blade to open. They are usually built to comply with switchblade laws, and unless modified are most likely legal to carry.

[paradox]

3. Is this type of knife (Dirks) illegal or have any restrictions? Nevermind... I found out they are illegal.

Those are as legal as any fixed bladed knife, or sharp stick for that matter. Who told you otherwise?

[rjardy]

It's how you carry them thoug... Sure they are legal to posses. and only become a felony once you conceal them (AKA put in pocket)