Knives in California

Here is an official link for Los Angeles knife laws http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml Click on "Municipal code" (left side under the seal), and then type "knife" into the quick search box.

Los Angeles municipal code section 55.10 clearly states that it is illegal to openly carry ANY knife with a blade 3" or longer, this includes folders. Whether or not a visible pocket clip makes a folder "openly carried" will be up to any individual cop, prosecutor, or jury. I would advise being on the safe side and carrying ones folder deep-pocket if the blade is 3" or longer.

It should also be noted that in LA there is no length limit on folders that are carried CONCEALED. Odd but true.

Assisted openers are legal.

There are exceptions to the open-carry blade length limit in LA law. If you are carrying the knife for work related purposes, or legitimate recreational related purposes, and can prove it, then there is no length limit on the knives you can openly carry (section 55.10 c).

It's always a good idea to read the actual laws for yourself rather than just take the word of a bunch of strangers on the internet.
 
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I've always wanted to carry my 12" bladed chef knife openly but that's just weird.

I had a Kershaw scallion, I'm sure it's legal I bought it at a sporting store in southern california.
 
killgar said:
Here is an official link for Los Angeles knife laws http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml Click on "Municipal code" (left side under the seal), and then type "knife" into the quick search box.

Los Angeles municipal code section 55.10 clearly states that it is illegal to openly carry ANY knife with a blade 3" or longer, this includes folders. Whether or not a visible pocket clip makes a folder "openly carried" will be up to any individual cop, prosecutor, or jury. I would advise being on the safe side and carrying ones folder deep-pocket if the blade is 3" or longer.

It should also be noted that in LA there is no length limit on folders that are carried CONCEALED. Odd but true.

Assisted openers are legal.

There are exceptions to the open-carry blade length limit in LA law. If you are carrying the knife for work related purposes, or legitimate recreational related purposes, and can prove it, then there is no length limit on the knives you can openly carry (section 55.10 c).

It's always a good idea to read the actual laws for yourself rather than just take the word of a bunch of strangers on the internet.
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Work related purposes.
Hmm if you are a security guy and at that particular time you are working as your own bodyguard you could carry a Katana?
Would it require you to pay a salary to yourself and do all the tax stuff?
 
killgar said:
Here is an official link for Los Angeles knife laws http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml Click on "Municipal code" (left side under the seal), and then type "knife" into the quick search box.

Los Angeles municipal code section 55.10 clearly states that it is illegal to openly carry ANY knife with a blade 3" or longer, this includes folders. Whether or not a visible pocket clip makes a folder "openly carried" will be up to any individual cop, prosecutor, or jury. I would advise being on the safe side and carrying ones folder deep-pocket if the blade is 3" or longer.

It should also be noted that in LA there is no length limit on folders that are carried CONCEALED. Odd but true.

Assisted openers are legal.

There are exceptions to the open-carry blade length limit in LA law. If you are carrying the knife for work related purposes, or legitimate recreational related purposes, and can prove it, then there is no length limit on the knives you can openly carry (section 55.10 c).

It's always a good idea to read the actual laws for yourself rather than just take the word of a bunch of strangers on the internet.
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Thank you for the link.

I interpret LAMC 55.10 as being able to carry a folder with a blade length above 3 inches as long as no part of it, including the clip, shows. Either fully in the pocket or a garment covering the clip. I've been carrying 3" or less folders clipped to my pocket so that's fine too.
 
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billym said:
Are you going to break any laws? Then don't worry. Your Scallion is sold all over the state as is all of Kershaw's AOs.
I love how everyone speculates and expects to get pat down here.
Maybe it is hard to get certain guns and impossible to get a CCW but knives are no issue.
I see fixed blades, all kinds of large folders (Strider, ZT etc) every day. I carry a BM full sized Ritter EDC with the clip showing. I am very often in Oakland, no cop has ever given it a second look.

California is pretty cool as far as knives go so relax, bring your Scallion and enjoy the drought! It is 70 again today.
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It ain't impossible to get a CCW. You just have to live in a sane county, and even that may be changing for the better very soon. San Diego Co just lost a federal case over their refusal to issue CCWs for self defense.
 
A question I have had for a while about CA carry law, re: fixed blades and concealed vs open. I understand about California (state not local) law requiring that a fixed blade be carried in plain site, not concealed. I've seen posts where people report that they were warned by a LEO that their shirt tail was covering their knife and to "watch that", but didn't do anything to them.

What happens on the occasion where--

1) a business man wears a suit with a coat? Is he precluded from carrying a fixed blade just because of his sartorial preference?

2) it actually rains :D or gets cold :D:D in SoCal and people wear a rain coat or jacket?

In these 2 situation types, if their preference, like mine, is for fixed blades, are they prohibited from legally carrying a fixed blade on their belt, since it would no longer be in plain site? Would the carrier be required to strap a belt on the outside of their suit?:rolleyes:
 
zzyzzogeton said:
A question I have had for a while about CA carry law, re: fixed blades and concealed vs open. I understand about California (state not local) law requiring that a fixed blade be carried in plain site, not concealed. I've seen posts where people report that they were warned by a LEO that their shirt tail was covering their knife and to "watch that", but didn't do anything to them.

What happens on the occasion where--

1) a business man wears a suit with a coat? Is he precluded from carrying a fixed blade just because of his sartorial preference?

2) it actually rains :D or gets cold :D:D in SoCal and people wear a rain coat or jacket?

In these 2 situation types, if their preference, like mine, is for fixed blades, are they prohibited from legally carrying a fixed blade on their belt, since it would no longer be in plain site? Would the carrier be required to strap a belt on the outside of their suit?:rolleyes:
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Carrying a concealed fixed-blade of ANY size is illegal everywhere in California, every county, every city, even on private property. There are no exceptions in this law regarding your choice of wardrobe or weather conditions. If you carry a concealed fixed-blade of ANY size anywhere in the state of California you are breaking the law and risk the possibility of arrest and a one year jail term if you are convicted.

Of course, how any given LEO will react to a person carrying a concealed fixed-blade is entirely up to that LEO. They might let you off with a warning, or they might arrest you and take you to jail. I would advise that you not risk your freedom, and your future, on the hope that an LEO will let you slide for breaking the law.

Never expect sympathy or understanding from the criminal justice system. District Attorneys, prosecutors, and judges couldn't care less that you wanted to carry a fixed-blade while wearing a suit or that it was raining out and you didn't want your knife to get wet. They won't hesitate to put you behind bars. Believe it.
 
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killgar said:
Carrying a concealed fixed-blade of ANY size is illegal everywhere in California, every county, every city, even on private property. There are no exceptions in this law regarding your choice of wardrobe or weather conditions. If you carry a concealed fixed-blade of ANY size anywhere in the state of California you are breaking the law and risk the possibility of arrest and a one year jail term if you are convicted. And there is no exception in the law for an article of clothing accidentally covering a fixed-blade. No matter how a fixed-blade gets concealed, it is considered a violation of the law.

Of course, how any given LEO will react to a person carrying a concealed fixed-blade is entirely up to that LEO. They might let you off with a warning, or they might arrest you and take you to jail. I would advise that you not risk your freedom, and your future, on the hope that an LEO will let you slide for breaking the law.

Never expect sympathy or understanding from the criminal justice system. District Attorneys, prosecutors, and judges couldn't care less that you wanted to carry a fixed-blade while wearing a suit or that it was raining out and you didn't want your knife to get wet. They won't hesitate to put you behind bars. Believe it.
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Kinda what I figured - except for the part about private property. That surprised me a bit.
 
zzyzzogeton said:
Kinda what I figured - except for the part about private property. That surprised me a bit.
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Yeah, the part about private property surprised me too. In regards to the illegality of carrying a concealed fixed-blade, California penal code 21310 say's, and I quote- "any person in this state who carries concealed upon the person...". It does not specify "on public property" or "in public", and I can't find any exception to this law for concealed carry on private property. Since the exact wording of the law says "in this state", that can be literally interpreted in court as ANYWHERE in the state of California, including on your own property.

It kinda makes sense if you think about it, because any property that isn't "public" property is "private" property. Stores, restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, etc, etc, are all "private" property, and I guess the lawmakers don't want people carrying concealed fixed-blades when visiting such places. I'm not saying I agree with this or think that it's right, I'm just saying that from a legislative point of view it makes sense. It would have been nice if they wrote an exception into the law for being on ones own property, but unfortunately they didn't.
 
Irrespective of what the law actually says, the fact is you can get arrested for anything a cop thinks is illegal. That's not to say you'll actually be charged, and depending on the circumstances you may simply be released without any further ado if you weren't in fact breaking the law. The takehome point here is that if a cop sees you doing something he or she mistakenly believes is illegal you're in for a hasselacious time. It is thus wise to avoid doing things that are likely to arrouse a cop's suspicions. Such as carrying a big honking folder in a visible manner.

A good way to avoid such unwarranted suspicions is to keep a tidy appearance and keep your behavior low profile.
 
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