California butterfly knife laws.

H

HaxorTheWorld

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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Hello, I am a new member here. But anyway, back on to the subject of this thread, what is the legal status of a butterfly knife in Cali, as I was getting a strange urge to buy one.
 
They're fine as long as they go along wiht length, concealment, and location (not at schools, etc.) laws.

~ King Gimpicus ~
 
But what is the length limit? I read on Wikipedia that it was two inches, but I also read somewhere else that Cali has no limit for blades.
 
I think its four inches, but "2 and a half" does sound familiar... at least thats concealed... open i dont think theres a limit (some counties have specialty rules, like LA: "no fixed blades" period...), but i could be wrong
 
balisongs and butterfly knives fall under the switchblade definition. the blade must be under two inches. there is no overall length limit anywhere in the california penal code otherwise.
 
Morimotom knows of what he speaks. King Gimpicus, not so much . .

Best regards,

Argyll
 
there's no length limit for a knife that's considered a fiolding knife or a fixed blade knife for carry in california

gravity and automatic knives are a whole different case

if you have a balisong over 2 inches, you can't carry it on you or in your car period
 
this is not conclusive! i have the same question for the same reaons and so far all i agree with compleatly is that they cant be carred in cars or schools

as for falling under the same class as switchblades im not so sure. i found legislature about switchblades in cali and they of corse have to discribe clearly what they're talking about and they discribed knifes that resemble a pocket knife and open with a button or slide. not a butterfly discription.
MORIMOTOM may know what they're talking about but i dont know. if someone has good solid evidence and proof then please share it because i really one a butterfly but i dont want to be in trouble for it
 
Its a matter of statutory interpretation. The California Attorney General has issued an opinion that butterfly knives fall under the switchblade law (Penal Code Section 635), and thus must be less than 2" to be legal. You can argue with him if you like. The relevant opinion is Attorney General's opinion 11-19-1985, but apparently its not obtainable on-line.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
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