How do you answer a LEO about your knife in CA?

D

Daniel Boon

Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
108
OK your likely as I am, carry a knife of legal length as a weapon of defense but give a LEO that answer your in trouble in Cally.
It's used to open boxes ;)
I use it at work all the time :rolleyes:
It's just a handy dandy tool :cool:
None of your F ing business, O ya that will work :p
 
If I'm in my work clothes, I'd say "it's a knife I use for work"

My everyday clothes, "Oh this? It's just a pocket knife. I always have one on me."

Carrying a folding pocket knife is not a problem in CA. Unless you look suspicious or thuggish, then maybe.

BTW, there is no length limit on folders here in SoCal. Just don't get caught with autos or balis. I have never been hassled by cops.
Plus, my buddy is an OC Sheriff, and when I asked him about carry laws, he knew less about them than I did. He said that he never questions unsuspicious ppl about knives.
 
Thanks for a great answer, I carry a Fox Karambit and has the wave feature and LEO might find it threatening

foxkarambitknifealuminu.jpg
 
Just say it's what you use for cutting carpet/lino and the hook is to open beers after work.
 
Could be wrong but local laws for SF, Oakland and LA limit folding knife length to 3", now that is more strict than the CA laws and so would dictate. Concealment is another issue. Best to check your local area for specific length restrictions.

Agree with 5.56, most CA LEO don't know the exact particulars of the law at the top of their head. Seems as if they've got more pressing matters to worry about. Either way, being low-key goes a long way.

Anyways, they are my tools.
 
Seriously?

Don't lie to a LEO.

If you want an honest dialog, PM Morimotom here. He's solid and authoritative.
 
In my experiences, you can tell a LEO anything and most will be cool. Here are the exceptions that I am familiar with:
1) blades over 4" need to be exposed with at least the clip visible. I had a co-worker who carried a CS 6" Ti-lite that when he was asked why such a large blade, he said that has a hard time eating Washington apples so he cuts them up with that...
2) Keep ALL fixed blades exposed and under three inches.
3) NEVER tell them it is for self defense! Keep it as a tool and it's kosher.
4) For college campus' the knife most be under two inches and can not be a locking blade. Although I carry a Benchmade 741.
 
There is no length limit on folders and the clip does not need to be exposed. Fixed blades have no length limit but must be carried opennly and the penal code uses belt cary as an example. Some cities may impose length limits like LA. If you want to know the right way to interact with a cop while protecting your right to privacy, I suggest you watch a set of videos on YouTube called "flex you rights" they are not CA state specific but are a good primer on limiting unwarranted searches of your person or property when running into the law.

Do not lie, but do nothing to incriminate yourself. As I see it, cops are not paid to be your friend, they are paid to arrest people who they feel have violated a law. As others have indicated, some cops are unfamiliar with the very laws they are in charge of enforcing. Some cop may very well believe that a folder over 4 inches is illegal in CA. Its not going to cost him anything to arrest you and let you sort out the details of the penal code in court at your own expense.

As to what the knife is for, that depends on the knife. There are sheeple friendly sizes and colors that can be easily explained. Good luck finding a reason for carrying a rajah or espada. Do not give a cop any reason to find out you have a knife in the first place.Being good and looking normal go a long way in this regard.
 
generallobster said:
Some cop may very well believe that a folder over 4 inches is illegal in CA. Its not going to cost him anything to arrest you and let you sort out the details of the penal code in court at your own expense.
Click to expand...

This will cost him/her the job, his/her house and possibly the freedom, as this is false arrest. And you will get from the department nice settlement paycheck (after your lawyer gets his part).
 
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