CA fixed blade car carry

Z

Zhang Fei

Joined
Apr 14, 2001
Messages
64
Quick question for those who know - Is it legal to carry a fixed blade in your car, readily accessible to the driver? If yes, then what restrictions might apply - double edge, push dagger, blade length? Just moved to LA after 3 and 1/2 years abroad and realized I just can't reach the folders in my pocket while driving. Thanks

ZF
 
The knife legislation I have reviewed, and it all jumbles together so I can't list sections for you, handles the car as an extension of your person....so that if it is legal to carry it is legal to have in your car and visa versa.

What I am not sure of here is how "concealed" is handled with knives in cars. There are some statutes where knives are perfectly legal worn openly but illegal when concealed.

Anyone else comment on the second point?
 
Ther4e is a thing called "constructive possession". Readily accessible is the same as having it on you. At least that is how it is here. It may be different there. I would be cautious anyway. Also be advised that your car is easily searched.
 
Under state law, you can't carry a fixed blade concealed. In LA, we also have to deal with our city and county laws. These prohibit you from openly carrying a knife with a blade of 3 or more inches. There are some questions on how to interpret that, and there are exceptions for legitimate recreational/vocational use. The most conservative approach would be a single-edged fixed blade with a blade of 2.9 inches or less, kept in plain sight in your vehicle.

I haven't researched push daggers and double-edged knives.
 
CA state law does not distinguish between a single edged knife and a double edged one.

It is unclear whether push daggers are legal to carry unconcealed per PC 12020 sect. A4 & C24 (dirk or dagger) or illegal to carry at all per PC 12020 sect. C7 (metal knuckles). There was a long thread in this forum about it a while back with some good discussion but no definitive conclusion.

PC 12020 sect. A4 prohibits carrying "concealed upon [your] person any dirk or dagger." It goes on to define a "dirk or dagger" to be just about anything with a point, which includes fixed blade knives (folding knives are excepted). I don't think that in your car should be considered upon your person, but I'm not a lawyer.

If I were you I'd carry a regular dagger sooner than a push dagger, and I'd keep it concealed in the car. I can't guarantee that that would be legal, but it's what I would do.
 
Thanks guys. I'd read through the previous posts about push daggers and concealed carry of fixed blades. Was wondering if anyone had any difinitive answers as far as carry in cars. Seems like this area, like most laws regarding knives and carry, it's a real grey area. Guess an Endura or Sifu tucked away between the seats is the best way to cover my a** legally.

ZF
 
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