Blade length restriction on CA?

[ryts100]

Is there a blade length restriction in California? My friend said there is, but I thought it was only for Los Angeles. Any help?

 

[ColonelX]

no blade lenght limit, only mechanism restrictions

no autos or gravity knives unless the blade is under 1.9 inches

everything else is just fine

 

[Chang1]

ColonelX is right about the laws covering California, but there can sometimes be county or city ordinances that are even more restrictive than the California Penal Code 12020. If you're worried about your local ordinances, you should be able to look them up online.

 

[ryts100]

no blade lenght limit, only mechanism restrictions

no autos or gravity knives unless the blade is under 1.9 inches

everything else is just fine

Ok, thanks.

ColonelX is right about the laws covering California, but there can sometimes be county or city ordinances that are even more restrictive than the California Penal Code 12020. If you're worried about your local ordinances, you should be able to look them up online.

I've looked up California knife laws, and haven't found anything regarding Santa Clara or Sunnyvale.

 

[acourvil]

It's been a while since I looked, but my recollection is that neither Santa Clara nor Sunnyvale have any limits on the length of a knife, and neither does Santa Clara county. However, in nearby locations, Mountain View has restrictions (but not a prohibition) on knives over 3 inches, and San Mateo county considers anything over 3 inches a "dangerous weapon."

 

[DWK2]

Note that although there is no length limit under state law, fixed blades generally cannot be carried concealed, if they are readily accessible to you. There's a case discussed in another thread that suggests an exception for VERY short fixed blades with carry systems that do not permit immediate access (I think it was a Swisscard). But I wouldn't rely on that for other fixed blades. Assuming Santa Clara has no additional restrictions beyond state law, I would always carry any length fixed blade in full view, preferably on your belt.

DancesWithKnives