I frequent downtown LA much of my time for work etc.
I do understand that I could get in some problems with police officers, but what I want to know is whether I'm legally allowed to carry it. It would be inconvenient to spend a day or two in jail fighting this, but as long as I could, and win, that's what I care about.
I asked the last user to take a look at section 55.01 that I posted in the OP to give me his opinion on that, but this thread has been relatively dead in the last 3 days.
Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated.
I've been lurking here a bit, just joined - and figured I'd add my two cents here as my inaugural post. Hope you all don't mind.
If you want to act out of an abundance of caution and follow the letter of the law(s), I would suggest that you go with a 2.99" or under for carry. That way, you can keep it clipped to your pocket (if folder) or in open carry (if fixed blade) - always readily accessible. Have a run-in with an a-hole cop? No worries - you are covered. Section 55.01 speaks only to
concealed weapons (of any size), and 55.10 speaks to knives 3" or greater
not concealed. Truth be told, if it's kept sharp, the length won't really matter when it's really needed as long as you know how to use it.
As others have mentioned, what goes further than any of this, though, is attitude. I've had my run-ins with the cops, but have never once been arrested. Even the time I had a gun handy. The reason was simple: I didn't give them a reason to be an a-hole. The gun incident I alluded to is a prime example: I was in Long Beach, in an area of town that is not exactly known for spawning pillars of the community. My young cousin and I were on the street a few houses down from a relative's house, parked in my car - waiting for this person to come home. We hadn't heard from them in more than a day, couldn't find them, were worried, so we camped out by their house to see if they were coming/going and to make sure they were safe. An older resident must have considered us suspicious, as they came out of their home, went to "look at sprinkler by the curb at the rear of my car" and went back inside. I recognized that act for what it was: they were getting my plate. Since I had my gun on me, I immediately unloaded it, threw the clip in the glove box and put the gun in the trunk through the back seat. Sure enough, a couple minutes later, LB's finest showed up and rapped on the window. After he asked what we were doing, he asked if we had any weapons - I immediately said I had an
unloaded gun in the car. It concerned him to the point he called for backup - 4 more cars coming to his aid. We were manhandled out of the car, put in separate cars, questioned and then, once they found not a blemish on our records, we were both released. I even had a 4+" folder on me at that time - when he took it from me, he told me, "remind me to give this back to you if I happen to let you go." He kept my gun "as a favor" to me (rather than arresting me and giving me more problems), but said I could pick it up in a week or two downtown. Instead of arguing and going through the hassle, I went on my merry way - not going to miss my Glock 19 for a week or two. About 10 minutes after I got back home, there was a knock on the door. It was the officer who was dealing with me. He looked at me, stuck his hand out - holding my folder - and said, "I told you to remind me to give this to you." I took it and he went off to resume his duties.
Long story, I know. But I just wanted to really emphasize the moral of this thread: in the overwhelming majority of the cases, cops will act like a-holes because someone gives them a reason or an excuse to act like one. If they see you as a threat or a risk to themselves or others, you're in for it. Don't approach the situation negatively, and if they are approaching it that way...turn it around and make them comfortable.
Or, you can start growing your hair, wearing a dastar and you can probably get away with carrying a kirpan at all times in accordance with 55.10(c).
