Knife laws in NC and CA

K

knifeydsd

Joined
Jan 7, 2006
Messages
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Hey, I'm sure the information is somewhere on bladeforums.com, but I'm a newb :( and I am not saavy enough to find all the info to pull it together. Alright, here goes: I am a college student in NC, but live in CA. I had a great offer for a MOD Mark II, 3.3 inch blade, 4.5 inches closed, you probably know the rest of the stats. Well, I want to buy it, but the guy himself carries the Mark I Auto- illegally. So he is not much help in legality. I live in the Asheville/Swannanoa area of North carolina, and in Alameda County in California, with occasional trips to San Francisco. Is the knife legal to get for both localities? I currently carry a gerber AR 3.0 serrated, no problems, but I don't really get into trouble. Finally, this would be just a manual version, as my desire to follow the law dictates, and what exactly is the law on concealed in both places? Do I need to show the clip or not?
Thanks a bunch, and sorry if not enough info
 
In No. Carolina you can own and carry an auto as long as it is'nt concealed.
So, anything less than that shouldn't be a problem.
CA state law has no legal problems with the length of the blade on the
folder and you can stick it fully out of sight as long as it's not an auto .
But, state law gets superceded by local laws and some areas in CA do'nt
like anything hidden with a blade longer than 3". So, if you leave your belt clip showing you should be safe any where in our liberal state.
Craig
 
State law for NC you're OK.

Municipal law for Asheville you'd better check.

And check the school rules. At NCSU, no one really bothered me while a student, but my preferred carry (3.9 inch) was against policy. Only people I heard about getting nabbed for it were those already in trouble, though.
 
Thank you for the wonderful reply! That is pretty amazing about the switchblade thing- but again, for going back and forth between CA and NC, I would probably stick with a manual... I'm not sure about MOD knives, but I've gotten my draw on my Gerber pretty much down to a flash. One last thing: in NC, would I be allowed to conceal a manual open? And if not, does pocket clip mean non-concealed, or would I need more? Thanks, I just have to know that last tiny thing, cause this knife would not be my utility knife- I still think it is a little "sheeple" unfriendly. Oh and to orthogon: I am going to check with LEOs if possible, I just want some outside info. so they don't just "no, that's illegal" "But I didn't even ask a question yet!" sort of thing. Also, the point of that knife is that no one would know I had it until someone felt it :rolleyes: Anyway, thanks to you both
Warmest Regards, Michael
 
Knifeydsd,

I talked to a LEO about blade length etc for NC. He said he didn't know and he would have to look it up. :rolleyes: Asheville does not have any "special" rules regarding knives. Neither does Buncombe County for that matter. Warren Wilson might though......

As far as I know, as long as the blade is under 6 inches, it may be concealed on or about one's person. A auto is the same as a manual, but it cannot be concealed. One thing to keep in mind though, anything over 6 inches concealed on or about your person is a semi serious matter.

If you are interested, the Statutes for knives in NC is found in Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes. (N.C.G.S.) around the 200's.
 
Thanks again, knife-aficionados! You have made my life a helluv a lot more pleasant and easier, knowing the laws and knowing there is such a supportive community out there... and, of course, that I can get a really awesome knife without worry! Yeah, the one part I was concerned about was off the knife laws of 50 states thing, which said as long as a knife had a handle 4.5 inches or smaller it was a pocket knife... implying anything bigger was not cool, and the part about the educational facilities and the "sharp or edged instrument" clause. I pretty much knew california was cool, SF maybe giving difficulty, but I just wanted to be sure. Thanks again guys, I now can go to sleep and stop obsessing!
 
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