Importing balisongs into California via mail(USPS)

USPS has a policy against many things. They can't really do anything about what you send through the mail, they don't check packages. It's more up to the discretion of the place you are buying it from, since I'm pretty sure it is illegal to send balisongs over state lines into California. I'm not 100% sure on that, but I know that it is a crime to carry one on you in California. The only way it is legal is if you just keep it in your house.
 
I was curious about a few things so I did some checking in the California penal code, here's what I found (or didn't find)- There is no mention of "butterfly" knives in CA law. However, "butterfly" knives fall under the "switchblade" laws because of how the definition of a "switchblade" is worded and because butterfly knives can be flipped open with a flick of the wrist.

I could find nothing in CA law that prohibits the import of any type or size of "switchblade". It is however illegal to sell, trade, transfer, or lend anyone a "switchblade". But the law says nothing about receiving a switchblade.

The problem when it comes to shipping switchblades/butterfly knives is Federal law. I knew what the Federal law said once but I have since forgotten, sorry. You might want to ask about that in the balisong/butterfly knife forum here at Bladeforums. But don't ask them how to circumvent the law.

I would deffinitely find out about the Federal law before I proceeded if I were you.
 
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I am in CA and I make custom balisongs. Get hold of me.
 
F California. They don't do anything about the 10 million invaders they have allowed in. they probably don't have the money too prosecute anyone for the wrong type of latch on a pocket knife. Land of the scared, home of the sheep.
 
Killgar's on to something and I have found similar in my own research. CA does lump them in with switchblades (blades over 2" mind you), but it only restricts carry and sale, not buying/receiving or ownership.

The federal law is kind of an interesting thing in that doesn't expressly lump balisongs in with switchblades, just uses language that might apply. Whether it does or it doesn't, it only affects the seller, not you the buyer. Furthermore, I have noticed that in practice that authorities seem to ignore balisongs even where they would go after switchblades, and there seem to be a a far greater number of sellers willing to risk sending balisongs vs. sending switchblades.

When all's said and done, you the buyer have nothing you should be concerned about other than getting swindled by a merchant that takes your money.
 
I've been searching my memory, and if I recall correctly it is illegal under Federal law to ship switchblades through the US mail. This law however does not apply to private shippers like UPS and Fedex. But I'm not sure how the Federal law relates to butterfly knives, if at all. Personally, I wouldn't take the risk. Imagine if the package gets damaged and postal service employees discover the knife. If they report it to their superiors (with your name and address on the package), and if it is in fact illegal under Federal law to mail a butterly knife, you could be in big trouble. I have heard about people being arrested for mailing switchblades, allthough I don't remember if they were the sender or the receiver, or both.
 
Thanks for all the replies, folks. I was wondering because I wanted to buy a Kimura from Kershawguy and was unsure about it, but according to him he's successfully shipped them to California via USPS before, so I went ahead with the deal. I'll be sure to post an update on how it goes when or if it comes in.
 
It just came in and I'm not in prison yet, so I guess it's safe to assume that things are fine. Not sure if I'd be willing to purchase another balisong over the net though.
 
Yep, I think that if they were going to nab you it would have been right after the package was received. As I recall, in matters like this the Feds allow the package to actually be delivered before they start making arrests in order to get a more solid case.

I'd wager that you are in the clear. I'm glad it worked out and thanks for letting us know. :)

But people should be warned, there have been cases of people being arrested and charged with serious crimes as a result of mailing knives that Federal law explicitly prohibits mailing. And Federal prosecuters are some of the most ambitious and ruthless people you never want to meet.
 
I've never heard of the receiver being prosecuted though. 15 U.S.C. 1242 just says "Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife"
 
But would a receiver be the person who introduces a swithblade into intrerstate commerence and also the chances of being caught with importing a something like a butterfly knife is rare as i had a buddy who bought brass knuckles and switchblades quite often online and he lives in california. but its still risky to buy a butterfly knife and have it shipped to ca
 
No buying/receiving does not count as introducing or distributing. I have never, ever heard of a buyer being prosecuted under the federal law in 10+ years of legal research. Just sellers, and even those are exceedingly rare.
 
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