Concealed fixed blade in California

R

richyrich

Joined
Jul 12, 2007
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Can i have any length fixed blade concealed in california? I want to make a smallish 2" fixed blade for daily carry and i'm sure my t shirt will cover the sheath when attached to my belt. I tried searching here and other sources and couldn't find a clear answer. Thanks

-Rich
 
Fixed blades cannot be carried concealed. I don't think there is anything that lets you squeeze by just because it is below 2"....

....but, you can get a lot of misinformation (and end up in jail!) by taking anyone else's advice. Advice on the internet costs nothing, and is mostly worth exactly what you paid for it! You absolutely need to read the statutes and decide for yourself, no matter how confusing it gets:

http://www.equalccw.com/knifelaw.html

This source has some later statutes that the one above doesn't include:

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/ca.txt
 
Just get yourself a folder! You can carry a 4" folder almost everywhere in the state, concealed or unconcealed.

Look at Emerson. They are based in So. Calif., and they only have a couple of fixed blade models....that should tell you something right there!
 
After thinking about your post, I am now wondering if my La Griffe is legal??? It has only a 1.75" blade, but it is fixed. Going to have to do some studying.....
 
Unless the laws changed in the last three years fixed blades of any length carried concealed is a felony. The laws are a lot more lax with folding knives. beware with folding knives if the knife is opened and concealed it treated as a fixed blade. keep you folder at or shorter than 4" and use common sence when and where you carry and you should be ok.

There are always exceptions especially when dealing with california cops.

You can carry longer folders but the longer the knife the more the justification for it. Most of the cops I knew and talked to liked to see folders at or less than 4".
 
Per People V. Luke, some fixed blades may be carried concealed depending on size and complexity of sheathing system.

Generally concealed carry of sub 2" is not a problem.

Never carry anything that may be considered a dirk or dagger with a blade 2" or longer concealed.
 
I don't even see where it says that you can't have a fixed blade of any length concealed. Did I miss something??????
 
reconranger said:
I don't even see where it says that you can't have a fixed blade of any length concealed. Did I miss something??????
Click to expand...

12020. (a) Any person in this state who does any of the following
is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year
or in the state prison:

(4) Carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger.
see (32)(e)(24) below, for definitions.

(24) As used in this section, a "dirk" or "dagger" means a knife
or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of
ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury
or death. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not
prohibited by Section 653k, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use
as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death
only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.
(24)(d) Knives carried in sheaths which are worn openly suspended from
the waist of the wearer are not concealed within the meaning of this
section.
 
Thats a hard call. Do to the "nature" of the LaGriffe, it "appears" very weapon like. And unlike something like the Hideaway, it would make a handy stabbing tool.

I would not carry it concealled myself. Too much of a chance that the jury would see it only as a weapon.
 
Who writes these laws???? Can't they just write in simple english???

All this "dirk and dagger" language muddles things up as well! There is all this talk in the school statutes about 2.5" blades as well, like anything below 2.5" is a special category...yet nowhere else do I see 2.5" defined that way.
 
reconranger said:
Who writes these laws???? Can't they just write in simple english???

All this "dirk and dagger" language muddles things up as well! There is all this talk in the school statutes about 2.5" blades as well, like anything below 2.5" is a special category...yet nowhere else do I see 2.5" defined that way.
Click to expand...

wish i knew. the 12020 sections were first ammended in 1997, but i dont know when the law was orignally drafted.


a general rule is that city/county laws may be more strict, but not more lenient, than existing state or federal laws. often this creates a muddled situation because the definitions may not match, or the laws may have contradictory language.

the state law is actually quite permissive. it is the local laws that create the problems. fortunately, if you could call it that, muni and county codes are nearly all misdemeanors. which often results in a citation for a weapon only offense.
 
The dirk, dagger, bowie knife language found in many state's laws dates back to the 1800s. If you do some searching you can find some posts that further explain it origins (basically the wealthy defended themselves with guns, only thugs, ruffians, and immigrants used knives, hence knives were treated more harshly under the law then guns.)

Best regards,

Argyll
 
Argyll said:
The dirk, dagger, bowie knife language found in many state's laws dates back to the 1800s. If you do some searching you can find some posts that further explain it origins (basically the wealthy defended themselves with guns, only thugs, ruffians, and immigrants used knives, hence knives were treated more harshly under the law then guns.)

Best regards,

Argyll
Click to expand...

Bowie knives were more dependable weapons than the junk guns of the
1800s.
 
These laws are so fu@#ing stupid. What is the difference between a folder and a fixed blade? can you not kill someone just as easily with a folder as a fixed blade?

Ok done ranting.

Thanks for the responses. Even after reading the law over a few times it looks like any fixed blade, even something with a half inch blade, would be illegal if concealed. I already have a ton of folders but wanted to make my own fixed blade for reliability/durability and the fact that it would be really cool to have a handmade knife on me.

R.W.Clark, can you find me a link to that court case? I tried looking it up but found nothing.

Thanks

-Rich
 
One thing I should throw out there regarding knife laws (specifically in CA) is that the state law may read a certain way, but some cities do their own thing.

For example, in Santa Barbara, I have had two friends that are cops there who say for knives in general, they would rather not know you have them on your person in plain sight, or they will confiscate them. This means, don't walk around S.B. with a clipped folder in your pocket that is readily visible, you're better off wearing a baggy t-shirt that weekend.

I personally would make the argument that this goes against the higher authority which is state law, but for some reason my friends seem to think that any city can adjust these carrying laws to suit their needs, and S.B. goes against the grain.

Just goes to show you sometimes can't "default" to what state code is. Food for thought.
 
projektio said:
One thing I should throw out there regarding knife laws (specifically in CA) is that the state law may read a certain way, but some cities do their own thing.

For example, in Santa Barbara, I have had two friends that are cops there who say for knives in general, they would rather not know you have them on your person in plain sight, or they will confiscate them. This means, don't walk around S.B. with a clipped folder in your pocket that is readily visible, you're better off wearing a baggy t-shirt that weekend.

I personally would make the argument that this goes against the higher authority which is state law, but for some reason my friends seem to think that any city can adjust these carrying laws to suit their needs, and S.B. goes against the grain.

Just goes to show you sometimes can't "default" to what state code is. Food for thought.
Click to expand...

state laws can be stricter, not more lenient, than federal law.

county/municipal laws can be stricter, not more lenient, than state law.

there is no default. outside of an incorporated or county area, the state penal code laws are enforced exclusively.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
state laws can be stricter, not more lenient, than federal law.

county/municipal laws can be stricter, not more lenient, than state law.

there is no default. outside of an incorporated or county area, the state penal code laws are enforced exclusively.
Click to expand...

Do you know how county codes are enforceable in incorporated cities within a county? I live in Long Beach, CA, and the LA County Code appears to proscribe open carry of folders or fixed blades with a blade over 3". Would I be subject to L.A. County ordinances in addition to L.B. City and CA state laws?

Thanks,

Jim
 
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