Auto laws in CA

M

MrPres

Joined
Sep 12, 2005
Messages
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I know that carrying an auto in CA is illegal, but I was just wondering how illegal it is. There IS such a thing as more illegal. For instance, if you get stopped with a thimble full of pot, a cop may very likely just confiscate it, but if you have a Kilo of cocaine, you're going to prison. What will happen in California if you're caught with an auto, assuming that you weren't attacking anyone, or doing anything wrong, you just for one reason or another got caught?
 
I don't want to sound judgemental or anything, but why even ask? Assume, at the very least, you get it confiscated. Is it worth it? That's if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and sentanced to up to a year in County. Hopefully it's not in addition to anything else you might be being searched/arrested for.

http://www.equalccw.com/knifelaw.html
 
Tactical folders that allow one-handed opening via a thumb stud, spydie hole, etc. are so easy to open, it's really not worth the potential trouble carrying an auto in CA, IMO.
 
California's ban on autos doesn't include those with blades under 2". There are some pretty cool CA legal autos out there, from ProTech, GT, and others, including some by custom makers. If you live in CA and want to carry an automatic knife, that's the way to go.
 
How illegal? I'd say illegal enough to not carry. California state laws for folding knives are pretty good. Pretty much all folders with the exception of autos (greater than 2 inches) and balis are legal for concealed carry. However local city or county ordinances may be more restrictive.

I don't carry (or own for that matter) any 2"+ auto or bali. I drive through about 4 or 5 differnt cities during my 26 mile commute to work that have their own city government and police department. In addition personal errands and recreation take me into the jurisdiction of even more local governments.

I do not know their individual knife laws and I may very well be breaking local laws by carrying my SAK, folding box cutter, or assisted opener concealed. I always follow the state laws but I am somewhat taking a chance regarding city and county laws. I would not take that same chance carrying an automatic or balisong.
 
What happens to an auto carrier depends a lot on whether you're a jerk, the cop's a jerk or the judge is one. ;)
 
Thirteenth Star said:
Tactical folders that allow one-handed opening via a thumb stud, spydie hole, etc. are so easy to open, it's really not worth the potential trouble carrying an auto in CA, IMO.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've pretty much come to that same conclusion. It's not even worth a small risk of going to jail when I can just carry a legal one-handed opener.
 
Carrying an auto is a misdemeanor, but if it's concealed it could be a felony. Considering you were doing something wrong enough that a cop searched you at all, it doesn't look good. I'd say it's not worth it.

If you really want to carry one anyway, find yourself a hidden release DA, and pray that any cop who's knife knut enough to figure it out won't really mind.
 
[Carrying an auto is a misdemeanor, but if it's concealed it could be a felony. Considering you were doing something wrong enough that a cop searched you at all, it doesn't look good. I'd say it's not worth it.]

Definitely not worth it! And for what? There's very little upside.
 
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