Open Carry Laws

[Diamond Al]

Hey There.

Is it legal in California to weave a Fixed Blade, 4.5" (in sheath) to the "outside" of my leather vest? I will be weaving it externally using the cross stitch leather on the side of my vest. It will be in plane view, and even with my waist. What do you think? I would carry it on my belt, but it makes my pants droop...

 

[Roadrunner]

Welcome! Check www.packing.org. They should have a link to CA's knife laws. Keep in mind that local laws in the cities and towns may be more strict than state laws. Bear in mind also that no matter what the law, you may still get unwanted attention from LEO's and security personnel simply because they may not know the law. Best of luck.

 

[stevekt]

Fixed blade must be open carry in California. Your idea sounds legal but it is best to yell at a cop, draw your knife, and ask him what he thinks. You should get your answer fairly quick.

 

[Luckylefty01]

As far as california law goes, yes, that should be legal, provided you don't break local laws, or some of the other parts of cali law such as:

Knives in Public Meetings

171b. (a) Any person who brings or possesses within any state or
local public building or at any meeting required to be open to the
public pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part
1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of, or Article 9 (commencing with Section
11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of, the
Government Code, any of the following is guilty of a public offense
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one
year, or in the state prison:

(3) Any knife with a blade length in excess of four inches, the
blade of which is fixed or is capable of being fixed in an unguarded
position by the use of one or two hands.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Moving to Knife Laws ...

 

[cdyer]

California law prohibits concealed carry of any dirk or dagger (fixed blade or folder in the open position). Open carry is permitted. However, the City of L.A. has a local ordinance that prohibits carry of ANY knife "in plain view" with a blade 3" or over.

Which means you can carry a massive folder concealed in your waistband or coat pocket, but not in a belt sheath . Don't want to scare the sheep.

So for EDC, I carry a Rat Trap in my waistband with my shirt untucked, because even if a portion of the clip is visible, that constitutes "in plain view".

The law is often misinterpreted. I can't tell you how many times I've been told my knife is "illegal".

 

[maxster]

In Berkeley you can't carry any knife with a blade longer than 3".