Define Concealed in California Terms Please.

D

Dwight_C

Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Messages
2
Hi all,

My name is Dwight and I live in California about 50 miles north of Sacramento. Although I dislike the left coast socialism out here, I must give appreciation to California knife laws, as they are pretty reasonable.

I just purchased an ESEE-4 and absolutely love the knife. I also purchased a Tech Lock with it. After assembling the lock and sheath, I realized that my t-shirts hang over the knife when secured to my belt. In my opinion the knife is not concealed because it is on my belt and could easily be exposed. Do any of the California residents on here have an opinion on the matter, or know the actual definition of concealment in California?

Thanks in advance. I did try the search function and browsed through quite a few California oriented threads, but did not find the information I am looking for.
 
Part of the reason you did not find much is because "concealed" is not defined explicitly in the statutory text. This is quite normal as most other states also do not define it either. Rather, often matters where "concealed or not" is disputed, it comes down to case law.

In most cases, your shirt covering it in a way where a non-police officer would not notice it's presence does count as concealed, even if it becomes exposed if you move a certain way. There have been cases in other states where a person had a of some kind covered by a jack or vest, and a cop noticed it when they bent over or twisted around to look at something.
 
I work in Bay Area as LEO, if the knife is hidden from view, and a fixed blade wether its on your belt or around your neck or in a pocket it is considered concealed. A folder can be concealed because law does not consider that it can be readley be used as a stabbing instrument. It's a Misdemeanor and unless something else is going on, you will be cited and released with a court date. The knife will be confiscated and used in court as evidence. If the case is dismissed, it may be returned by the court.

Depending what you were carrying the police dept may petition the court to destroy the knife, ie.... Sword, ect.

Hope this helps.
 
I live in CA. When I carry a fixed blade I like to have atleast 50% of the knife showing (Handle or blade). If your camping and not doing anything stupid with it you don't have any thing to worry about
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds like I'll be tucking my shirt in.

And to Reasoned1, I think California State knife laws are pretty relaxed compared to other states' laws. Although I do not agree with the knife laws here, they are reasonable because of the flexibility. You can carry a folder of any size concealed. You can carry any size fixed blade if exposed. You can carry an automatic knife if under so many inches. Although I do not agree with weapons laws and associated restrictions, I will abide by them in order to not jeapordize my future law enforcement career.

Thanks,

Dwight
 
Dwight_C said:
Hi all,

My name is Dwight and I live in California about 50 miles north of Sacramento. Although I dislike the left coast socialism out here, I must give appreciation to California knife laws, as they are pretty reasonable.

I just purchased an ESEE-4 and absolutely love the knife. I also purchased a Tech Lock with it. After assembling the lock and sheath, I realized that my t-shirts hang over the knife when secured to my belt. In my opinion the knife is not concealed because it is on my belt and could easily be exposed. Do any of the California residents on here have an opinion on the matter, or know the actual definition of concealment in California?

Thanks in advance. I did try the search function and browsed through quite a few California oriented threads, but did not find the information I am looking for.
Click to expand...
Check yourself in a full-length mirror. If you can see any part of your knife, it is not concealed. If you cannot see any part of your knife, it is concealed.
 
Dwight. Keep in mind that if some citizens are spooked because you are carrying a knife and they call the police you may have a problem. Just saying.

We have a similar problem with open carry of firearms in CT. It is legal but if a citizen is spooked by the sight of a firearm and calls the police it is possible that one can get arrested and lose their concealed carry license.
 
I regularly carry these while wearing a tucked in Tshirt and a motorcycle club type vest. I also have both arms sleeved and letters on my knuckles (PARA NOID). No problema yet.

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The top is a 1940s Cattaraugus that belonged to my grandpa. I tore it down completely and made a new stacked leather handle and sheath. The other one I made a year ago fro O1 and isdifferentially hardened.
 
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