- Joined
- Sep 7, 2013
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- 73
What does the law say about a switchblade in California. I looked it up, but it seems to be a little vague to me. Could I get an explanation?
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California, Switchblade
- Thread starter ver heiratet
- Start date
Pretty much any auto knife is illegal to carry. You can own one but not carry it outside of your residence. 
Unless it is something ridiculous like a 1" and under blade. Assisted opening is okay, but not auto. And then I believe that is dependant on the county or city you live in. Cali is not a knife or gun friendly state :thumbdn:
Unless it is something ridiculous like a 1" and under blade. Assisted opening is okay, but not auto. And then I believe that is dependant on the county or city you live in. Cali is not a knife or gun friendly state :thumbdn:- Joined
- Sep 7, 2013
- Messages
- 73
Thanks for the info.
California penal code 21510 says that it is illegal to carry a switchblade if the blade is 2 inches or longer (this includes having one in a car). It is legal to have them in your home if the blade is longer than 2 inches. It is also illegal to sell, trade, or give away a switchblade if the blade is 2 inches long or longer.
I wouldn't describe California as "unfriendly" to knives, just the opposite. We can openly carry any size fixed-blade, single or double-edged. We can carry any size of manual folder, either openly or concealed. And in December of 2012 the California Supreme Court re-affirmed our right to carry one-hand opening manual folders.
And even in the parts of California where they have their own stricter laws, there are usually exceptions to those laws if you are carrying a knife for "legitimate" purposes like work or recreational activities like fishing, camping, hiking, etc.
I've lived in California for 43 years and have been very happy with the knife rights that CA law gives me.
I wouldn't describe California as "unfriendly" to knives, just the opposite. We can openly carry any size fixed-blade, single or double-edged. We can carry any size of manual folder, either openly or concealed. And in December of 2012 the California Supreme Court re-affirmed our right to carry one-hand opening manual folders.
And even in the parts of California where they have their own stricter laws, there are usually exceptions to those laws if you are carrying a knife for "legitimate" purposes like work or recreational activities like fishing, camping, hiking, etc.
I've lived in California for 43 years and have been very happy with the knife rights that CA law gives me.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2013
- Messages
- 73
Any idea on which cities may have sticker laws than state laws here in Cal? Can I carry my Buck lite with its three inch blade where ever I want in Cal.
A good example is Los Angeles. In L.A. it is illegal to OPENLY carry any knife if the blade is 3 inches long or longer (Municipal code section 55.10a). But there are exceptions to this- it is legal to OPENLY carry a knife with a blade 3 inches long or longer if you have a "legitimate" reason for doing so, and can prove it (like if you have a job that might require a knife and you are carrying said knife during your work hours. Or if you are coming from or going fishing or camping). It is also perfectly LEGAL to carry CONCEALED any size manual FOLDER in L.A.. It is illegal to carry concealed ANY fixed-blade of any size, both in L.A. and throughout all California.
It may sound strange that it would be illegal to openly carry a large folder in L.A., and that it would be legal to carry concealed a large folder, but that's the way L.A. law is written. Apparently the L.A. lawmakers just didn't like the idea of large knives being carried in a visible manner.
I think there might be a few other places in CA that have such local ordinances, but I don't recall any others off the top of my head. And there are many counties and cities in CA. I live in San Diego county where only the state laws apply.
If you specify where in CA you are it will be easier for people to tell you what laws might apply to you.