CONCEALED folding blades in Los Angeles?

A

A.Zin

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Jun 26, 2014
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I'm not sure if this is the right board to post this, but I'm having difficulty navigating on my phone after obliterating my computer, so bear with me.

Caught hell about this post on a gun forum, so I will elaborate on some of the points they seemed to have difficulty understanding and say now that I am real and this question is serious... and I am really a lady, not a guy. I'm also not Asian, it's a nom de plume. Uh, not a former member come back to troll. What else did they say... Also not fake or who knows what else you'll think to accuse me of.

A few weeks ago I was cornered by a guy close to home while leaving work (Panorama City). There was nobody around. He made me give him my number and wait so he could call it and confirm it was real. I ran home, several miles, didn't even wait for the bus, once he let me go. My number traces to the other side of the country and is a throwaway anyway, so I'm not worried about being tracked, but he won't stop calling me so I know he is looking.

I am a Georgia girl. I had grown semi-accustomed to not carrying a firearm in LA, much to my initial dismay. I'm a petite girl and my Army cousins believed intelligent and effective firearms use properly instructed and responsibly conducted would be a good form of sensible defense... just obviously not in LA. But now they and I both agree that I've tolerated this for far too long.

One suggested I get a knife. I have aspirations of joining the LAPD and I know LA knife laws are tricky, so I thought I'd ask around before arming myself with a career killer. Looking at other threads here, I gather that in LA, folding knives of less than three inches in blade length can be openly carried, and also that any part of the knife being exposed, including the clip, may be considered open carrying if you get an ornery cop (in this city, I completely understand).

What I haven't seen is a definitive answer on CONCEALED carry of longer folding blades, which I feel is easier to accomplish as a female with a purse than a man without (clever pocket placement as taught to me by female soldiers). I have a very good purse from back home that was made for just that. Would it be legal to carry, say, a 4.78" blade 100% concealed with not even the outline visible? I don't think openly advertising that I carry is a good idea, and I'm not satisfied with a blade under three inches.

I've altered my route home. I don't care who has my junk number. But I feel like I need a little... insurance since I cannot hope to carry a gun here.
 
I offer the following as information regarding the knife laws of the state of California, and the city and county Los Angeles, and not as any recommendation regarding armed self-defense.

It is absolutely LEGAL to carry a folding knife with a blade 4.78" CONCEALED in Los Angeles. The way the penal code generally works is, it explains and describes what is ILLEGAL, but rarely bothers to explain or describe what is LEGAL. As a result, if the penal code does not specifically state that something is ILLEGAL then it is LEGAL. And there is nothing in either California state law, Los Angeles Municipal law, or Los Angeles county law that says it is ILLEGAL to carry a manual folding knife of any blade length in a concealed manner (as long as it isn't carried with the blade in the open position, that IS illegal).

Of course there are often laws that forbid carrying knives on public school grounds (grades K-12). So don't carry it on any public school property.

And remember, when in doubt about the law, you can always consult a local criminal defense attorney. That's what I do.

As far as your trouble with the stalker, I hope that you have involved law enforcement. If not, then I would strongly recommend it immediately.
 
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I have reported the guy, but the consensus was that I was inviting it and being a perfect retard by walking in the area by myself. I tend to agree with this but don't have a lot of other options because I literally just got hired three weeks ago and don't yet have a car.

Love LA. Hate the weapons policies. Getting a crappy car to tide me over until I can do better.

But as a weapons enthusiast, this was motivation to expand and get into knives.
 
Geez, those gun forum guys need to lighten up! I did not see anything unreasonable about your post, and this knife-law subforum is the exact place to post.

I concur will killgar. I've researched these laws myself and found the same, and killgar's local and has consulted with local lawyers.

No if you want to talk some practical matters (and perhaps I may be overstepping the topic of this forum but I want to advise you on safety as best I can), knives have limitations in self-defense, massive ones if you have no formal knife training. Learn what they are, what the gaps are, and what you can do to fill those gaps. Do not underestimate pepper spray. It's legal too and fills some of those gaps, i.e. can be used at range and can be used in non-deadly confrontations. In the situation you described, you could probably have sprayed that guy and it would have been justifiable in the eyes of the law. If you had pulled a knife you would have faced assault charges.
 
I understand that I should not automatically be pulling a knife; what I am getting at is that as a long-time firearms enthusiast and carrying advocate, without a "substitute" for god knows what may happen, I feel naked. I do think pepper spray would be a good addendum, but by itself would be insufficient. In that situation, I took the path of least resistance. But god forbid...! Where I am from, having nothing is like not wearing a seatbelt; having a blade is not only practically useful (I work in a warehouse), it's the next best thing to a gun permit and responsible firearms use in terms of protection.

I don't plan on attacking everyone who asks for my number; I just feel like I'm having a hard time transitioning from a CCW city to a non-CCW, and situations like that make it worse. One individual suggested I get a small pistol and carry it anyway, but I'm an advocate of responsible usage and that in my opinion is not responsible. I feel naked, not necessarily stabby.

Thanks for the advice and for taking me seriously.
 
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I don't see any reason not to carry a reasonably sized folder in LA, laws there really aren't that bad. Also, in CA auto up to 2" are legal as well (at least from a state viewpoint).

As to the gun thing, you're good to go at home (10 rd mag limit for semi autos, new guns have to be on the CA DOJ approved list, waiting period on handguns, less red tape on long guns that are CA legal). It is restricted, but not really too onerous (ala NYC). As to just carrying anyway, well I won't suggest that certainly, but I will say that unlawful carrying of a weapon in CA is a misdemeanor. You mention having LE aspirations, well kiss that goodbye with a UCW conviction.

My advice is to carry a folder like a Civilian or Matriarch concealed and don't be dumb about it (schools etc). Fixed blade carry must be done openly, and in LA I don't think that would be wise at all.

In summary:

1)Gun for home, may as well make it a long gun. You prob already know this, but you can get a solid HD shotgun for under $500, some well under $500 even.

2)Carry a non auto/non dagger folder, OC spray is a good idea too.

3)Get a restraining order against the stalker, that way he can be arrested just for violating it. I can't speak for CA law since I don't practice there, but I assume they have a similar charge that we do in TX, which makes it a crime to violate a protective order. It doesn't matter what he/she does, just violating the conditions of the order (like leaving you the hell alone) by itself is a crime. Also, that frequently makes bail difficult...LA County jail is not a place I'd like to spend my time avoiding becoming the little spoon.

BTW, for what it's worth, both leading candidates for LA county sheriff have said they support an in practice shall issue CCW approach (contingent to not being crazy etc).
 
Yea as said, max limit for any blade on your person in LA is 2inches. LAPD is retarded, they don't even know the state laws. They always recite some gang garbage and try to steal your gear. Up here in SF it's 3inches. My gf carries a 2 inch fixed blade around in her bag when she's at work since it's in a violent neighborhood. A large majority of kids in LA are carrying a loaded weapon not including adults, so it's how you handle situations that will dictate how everything goes. I'm sure the gun forum guys just wouldn't understand CA unless you dropped them in the hood. Most of those kids don't go to a range to practice, they shoot people on the street. So I'd refrain from giving any advice that says buy this or that a knife or firearm is going to be any better than some situational awareness and self defense training.
 
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B34NS said:
Yea as said, max limit for any blade on your person in LA is 2inches. LAPD is retarded, they don't even know the state laws. They always recite some gang garbage and try to steal your gear. Up here in SF it's 3inches. My gf carries a 2 inch fixed blade around in her bag when she's at work since it's in a violent neighborhood. A large majority of kids in LA are carrying a loaded weapon not including adults, so it's how you handle situations that will dictate how everything goes. I'm sure the gun forum guys just wouldn't understand CA unless you dropped them in the hood. Most of those kids don't go to a range to practice, they shoot people on the street. So I'd refrain from giving any advice that says buy this or that a knife or firearm is going to be any better than some situational awareness and self defense training.
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In Los Angeles, the blade length limit on openly carried knives (fixed-blade or folders) is 3 inches. An openly carried knife must either have a blade under 3 inches, or if the blade is 3 inches long or longer, the person carrying it must have a legitimate work or recreational reason for carrying it at that time. The penal codes in Los Angeles that refer to this issue are as follows- Municipal code 55.10, County code 13.62.010

There is no blade length limit on concealed folders, either under Los Angeles law, or under California state law. This sounds counter intuitive, you would think that the laws regarding concealed knives would be more restrictive, but they are not.

The concealed carry of any size of fixed-blade is illegal under California state law, and is illegal in every city and county in California. The actual statute in the California penal code that describes what constitutes a concealed knife refers to a knife that is "concealed upon the person" (CA pc 21310). Whether or not a fixed-blade carried in a purse is considered "concealed" under the specific language of the law can be debated, and may be determined on the street by a cop, and maybe in court by a prosecutor.
 
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killgar said:
In Los Angeles, the blade length limit on openly carried knives (fixed-blade or folders) is 3 inches. An openly carried knife must either have a blade under 3 inches, or if the blade is 3 inches long or longer, the person carrying it must have a legitimate work or recreational reason for carrying it at that time. The penal codes in Los Angeles that refer to this issue are as follows- Municipal code 55.10, County code 13.62.010

There is no blade length limit on concealed folders, either under Los Angeles law, or under California state law. This sounds counter intuitive, you would think that the laws regarding concealed knives would be more restrictive, but they are not.

The concealed carry of any size of fixed-blade is illegal under California state law, and is illegal in every city and county in California. The actual statute in the California penal code that describes what constitutes a concealed knife refers to a knife that is "concealed upon the person" (CA pc 21310). Whether or not a fixed-blade carried in a purse is considered "concealed" under the specific language of the law can be debated, and may be determined on the street by a cop, and maybe in court by a prosecutor.
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Yea that's the same for here in San Francisco. For some reason I was always told by LA cops it was 2, but that might just be certain municipalities within the greater area I'm thinking of. Always took it into consideration even with my pro scalpel 2 at its massive 1.7 inches, but I'd rather bring a cheaper one to replace (Lone Wolf 40022 Landslide) while in the city just in case.
 
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zzyzzogeton said:
IIRC, the 2 inches limit is for any knife carried on a college campus.
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The penal code in California that pertains to knives on school property is 626.10. It's a long statute, and a little complicated, but here is a simple rundown-

It is illegal to possess any fixed-blade with a blade longer than 2.5 inches, or ANY folding knife with a locking blade, on any school campus, public or private, involving grades kindergarten through 12th. There are exemptions for school employees, and for anyone involved in "school sponsored activities".

It is also illegal to possess a box cutter or "razor blade" on any school campus involving grades kindergarten through 12th (same exemptions as above).

It's odd that the law allows fixed-blades with blades 2.5 inches long or less on school campuses k-12, but doesn't allow box cutters or "razor blades", but that's what 626.10 says. Odd but true.

It is illegal to possess any fixed-blade with a blade longer than 2.5 inches long on any college campus (no mention of locking folders, so those are legal). There are two exemptions in this statute for non school staff- you can possess a fixed-blade with a blade 2.5 inches or longer on a college campus if it is "for lawful use in or around a residence", or "for lawful use in food preparation or consumption".

Of course, these are state laws. And a school or college may impose it's own rules regarding knives, as well as impose it's own penalties for those who violate the rules.
 
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From the post above by PHP87 the link to that pdf, Alot of the city ordinances say its illegal to carry anything larger than 3". Is this correct? I thought from reading the posts in this thread and my limited common knowledge on the subject that there is no length law on concealed folder. now it feels iffy to me to carry a 3+ inch folder in my right rear pocket like I've been doing for years.

Only time I've beem stopped by LAPD was about a month ago walking from my car to a friends house in an ifffy neighborhood they frisked and asked if i had any weapons i answered yes right rear i was carring a full stainless spyderco native. They threw it on the ground. Asked a couple more questions and sent me on my way after returning the knife to me.
 
pablo7 said:
From the post above by PHP87 the link to that pdf, Alot of the city ordinances say its illegal to carry anything larger than 3". Is this correct? I thought from reading the posts in this thread and my limited common knowledge on the subject that there is no length law on concealed folder. now it feels iffy to me to carry a 3+ inch folder in my right rear pocket like I've been doing for years.

Only time I've beem stopped by LAPD was about a month ago walking from my car to a friends house in an ifffy neighborhood they frisked and asked if i had any weapons i answered yes right rear i was carring a full stainless spyderco native. They threw it on the ground. Asked a couple more questions and sent me on my way after returning the knife to me.
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The link that PHP87 provided is not in any way an official government website for the state of California, or any city or county in California. Personally, I prefer to read the laws for myself as they are posted on official state and local websites. Unofficial websites can often be inaccurate sources of information, so personally, I don't trust them.

Here is the OFFICIAL legislative website for the state of California where all California state laws can be found- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml

Here is a link to the official Los Angeles municipal codes- http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml . This is the official link for the city of Los Angeles- http://www.lacity.org/index.htm, but when searching for the municipal codes using that link it will simply take you to the previous link I provided.

And here is a link to the official Los Angeles county codes- http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lac/government/public/

It takes a bit of navigation to find the knife laws on those sites, but they are there.

Considering how much you might have to lose if you are caught breaking the law, I would advise people to beware of information given out on unofficial websites. After all, it's not like a website can be sued if you follow their inaccurate legal information and get arrested. Nor are the owners of those unofficial websites going to pay for your lawyer, or pay your bail, or pay your court fines, or do the jail time for you if the information they provide turns out to be wrong.

And of course, when in doubt about the law, consult an attorney. That's what I do.
 
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killgar said:
The link that PHP87 provided is not in any way an official government website for the state of California, or any city or county in California. Personally, I prefer to read the laws for myself as they are posted on official state and local websites. Unofficial websites can often be inaccurate sources of information, so personally, I don't trust them.

Here is the OFFICIAL legislative website for the state of California where all California state laws can be found (notice how it says ".ca.gov" in the link, that's how you know it's an official government website)- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml

Give me a minute and I will provide the official websites for Los Angeles.
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Thank you very much. :thumbup:
 
pablo7 said:
Thank you very much. :thumbup:
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You're welcome.

And if anyone has difficulty finding the knife laws using the links I provided I can give you some instructions as I have used them time and time again. Normally however, I just provide the specific penal codes in response to specific knife law questions.
 
I say befriend someone who will assist you. Since the police won't do anything, call the guy up, have him meet you, have your friend beat the living shit outta him, get a new phone and move on.

If you weren't so far away I'd help you myself, no problem. That is pathetic and guys like that need to be taught a lesson they understand and will remember. I hate bullies, and that is what he is for picking on a girl.
 
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