Otf in California

B

blade dude

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Nov 8, 2015
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Riverside county, riverside city to be exact. Are otf knives illegal? Such as the schrade viper? I know some call them assisted others say automatic so figured I'd ask. Are they legal or illegal? Yes yes I know don't get caught don't gotta worry and could probably use an illegal switchblade and be fine but I'd rather have it be legal.

Here's the question for y'all who didn't read that paragraph. Is a schrade viper otf legal in riverside California


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First, under California law, an OTF (out-the-front switchblade) with a blade 2" long or longer is considered a "switchblade" per CA penal code 17235. Here's a link to that statute- http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...Num=17235.&highlight=true&keyword=switchblade

And here's a link to California penal code 21510 which says what is illegal to do with a "switchblade" anywhere in the state of California http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...Num=21510.&highlight=true&keyword=switchblade

As far as Riverside, I could find no mention of any knife laws specific to Riverside county, either county or municipal. My guess is that just like San Diego, Riverside has no knife laws of it's own and simply follows State law.

Here are links to Riverside County and municipality websites-

County- https://www.municode.com/library/ca/riverside_county/codes/code_of_ordinances

Municipal- http://www.riversideca.gov/municode/

Using those websites, and searching for the word "knife", I received no search results.
 
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I would not chance it. Many police officers or deputies do not know the difference believe it or not.
They might arrest you then you will be caught up in court fighting it.
I'm in Los Angeles Co. and own many autos but I don't carry them. I know, that is spring assisted but any OTF IMHO, will get you in trouble in our State.
I would not chance it personally but I commonly carry my autos around the house all the time.

Please sign the petition in my sig line and maybe we can repeal this absolutely stupid law.
 
I assumed that the use of the term "OTF" was in reference to a switchblade, but I just looked up that particular knife and noticed that it's being marketed as "assisted opening". After seeing one being opened on Youtube, there is no doubt in my mind that it would be considered a "switchblade" under California law as it's opened using a spring triggered by a button, and not by pressure applied to the blade by the thumb. That is the distinction in this state between a "switchblade" and a manual-opening folder/assisted-opener. In order for an "assisted opening" folder to be legal in California, it must be designed so that pressure must be applied to the blade using a thumbstud, etc to open it. California penal code 17235 that I linked in my previous post explains that distinction.

Such a knife is legal to buy and own in California, but not to carry on your person, or in the driver/passenger area of a vehicle, etc.
 
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Fun little knife. Most cops around here still think double edge is automatically illegal.
 
Cali legal OTF...there's also the protech tantilla that I can think of off the top of my head

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~Chip
 
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