Impact of CA/OR laws when hiking?

T

Thor I am

Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
206
I live in CA and am about to go on vacation in OR.

I usually take a knife with me when I go hiking. I haven't really thought much about the laws associated until recently. So here are my questions:

CA:
It looks like I am OK hiking with a visible fixed blade no matter the length, is this correct?
If the blade has to be visible, what do I do when driving to and from the hiking area and still be considered within the law?
If I stop at a supermarket, I would want to leave the knife in the car. It seems that if I hide it in the car, then I am breaking the law. Is this correct? If so, leaving it in plain sight would seem to attract thieves.
Are there differences hiking on open land, hiking in state parks and hiking in National Parks?

OR:
From what I have read in this forum, it seems that in Oregon I can have a large fixed blade with me concealed or visible (whichever I choose). Is that correct?
If that is correct, I guess none of my other questions that I have for CA apply here except...
...is it any different in state parks?

Thanks much in advance to anyone who can help me with these questions.
 
Your information for CA seems to be correct, so far as I know. I think for transportation you would need to carry it in your trunk locked in a box or something.
 
You can legally transport it to and from the place of activity.

If you stop on your way, simply conceal it in your vehicle. It is only illegal to conceal on or about your person. A locked car a 100 yrds away is not on or about your person. When you return to your car, uncover it and continue on your merry way.
 
As I understand it, in Oregon a fixed-blade must be unconcealed when carried. But, Oregon's definition of unconcealed is quite liberal.

The whole car issue only applies if the knife is easily accessible to the driver or a passenger. So, just put it in the trunk.

No trunk? Then put it into some sort of case or bag that has a key lock. Now, to get to it, you'd have to fumble with and unlock the lock and open the bag, etc,; it's not easily accessible. The issue here is whether the knife poses the risk of a surprise attack to another person, especially a police officer. If that person can see the knife, then there can be no surprise. If it would take you some reasonable amount of time and some obvious gyrations to get to the knife, then there's no potential for surprise either.
 
R.W.Clark said:
You can legally transport it to and from the place of activity.

If you stop on your way, simply conceal it in your vehicle. It is only illegal to conceal on or about your person. A locked car a 100 yrds away is not on or about your person. When you return to your car, uncover it and continue on your merry way.
Click to expand...

additionally, carried in a backpack, for example, would not be readily accessible, so would also not be considered concealed carry (per the letter of ca law).

as mr. clark points out, concealment does not extend to a vehicle when a knife is concerned. if you prefer to drive with it visible, then you may do so. however if your are stopped, a knife on the front seat may create tension between you and the officer.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the replys. So it sounds like in the car is no problem as long as it is clearly out of range or locked up.

Anyone know about the state parks and national parks?

Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top