Fixed Blade Knife Laws in Los Angeles California

[bwong247]

Hello i live in Los Angeles
I have a fixed blade knife with sheath so i can open carry it
The blade is 6 inches long and 10 inches overall length
I know California law allows you to be able to open carry it regardless of lengths
But going hiking in the mountains are you allowed to carry it?
I know Los Angeles only allows you to have 3 inches supposedly in length.

I am sorta confused! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[John_0917]

Hello i live in Los Angeles
I have a fixed blade knife with sheath so i can open carry it
The blade is 6 inches long and 10 inches overall length
I know California law allows you to be able to open carry it regardless of lengths
But going hiking in the mountains are you allowed to carry it?
I know Los Angeles only allows you to have 3 inches supposedly in length.

I am sorta confused! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

CA state law requires that all fixed blades be openly carried, LA city ordinance prohibits open carry of an knives and similar items (over 3" blade length). Ergo, you cannot carry your fixed blade in the city of Los Angeles. This doesn't apply to LA County however, go hike somewhere outside city limits.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

The LA COUNTY ordinance mimics the LA CITY ordinance. Same 3 inch limit. That's per posts in other Cali knife laws threads.

 

[killgar]

Both the LA County and LA municipal ordinances have a blade length limit of 3" on openly carried knives (folders and fixed-blades). The blades of openly carried knives must be under 3" long.

However, both county and municipal ordinances have clear exceptions when it comes to the blade length limit. If the knife is being carried for "legitimate work or recreational purposes" then there is no required blade length limit. I would certainly consider a hiking trip in the mountains to be a "legitimate recreational purpose". But that's MY opinion.

Here are links to LA County ordinances and LA Municipal ordinances-

Municipal- http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml Click on "Municipal Code" under the seal.

County- https://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=16274

Just type "knife" into the search boxes to find the knife laws.

LA municipal code 55.10c provides the exceptions to the blade length limit, and it reads as follows- "The prohibitions of this section shall not apply where a person is wearing or carrying a knife or dagger for use in a lawful occupation, for lawful recreational purposes, or as a recognized religious practice, or while the person is traveling to or returning from participation in such activity".

The "prohibitions" mentioned in that quote includes the blade length limit on openly carried knives.

The LA County and LA municipal codes are basically the same when it comes to knives. The exceptions to the blade length limit in the LA County code is 13.62.030, and it basically says the same thing as the municipal code.