Buying a Balisong in Los Angeles California

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zekevaldez99

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Dec 8, 2013
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I'm pretty sure that I might buy a Benchmade balisong. But, I heard that their illegal in California and I would like to know how that law works. If I end up buying one I'm only going to be flipping it at my house and I won't flip it in public or at my school. Can I still get in trouble for having one in my home?:confused:
 
I've been looking into Benchmade balisongs on benchmade's website. But, I heard that balisongs are illegal in California and I want to know how that works exactly. If I get one I'll only be flipping it in my home, not in public or at my school. Can I still get in trouble for having one in my house?:confused:
 
You technically can have one in your home, but I wouldn't trust most LEO's to know that if they were ever in your home for some reason. They are illegal to transport, buy, or sell, however, so I'm not sure how you would buy one. I wouldn't expect most distributors to ship them to CA.
 
legal to own, legal to carry if the blade is sub 2 inches.
get one from blade hq or another vendor, no reason to get one from their website
 
Balisongs with blades shorter than 2" are legal in California for purchase and carry, per state Penal Code 17235.

If the blade is greater than 2", then Penal Code 21510 applies:

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.
Click to expand...

Merely possessing it in the privacy of your home is is obviously not mentioned in the statute and therefore is legal, but note that the prohibition about carrying on one's person has no exceptions for private property. It's debatable if holding it in your hand doing tricks is "carry upon the person," as most caselaw specifies this as wearing the weapon somehow.
 
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