SF, CA laws

Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
76
Here's what I understand (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):

- The state of California itself has no restrictions on folding knives except balisongs and autos (neither of which I ever intend to own).
- San Francisco prohibits the carry of folding knives over 3 inches in (blade) length.

Now the situation. I want a Yuna. A Hard 3, to be exact. With a 3.5" blade, it will be illegal to carry, but will it be illegal to own? With some 9/11 paranoia still around, will someone go through the mail looking to confiscate anything illegal (at airports, USPS, etc)?

Before I pull the trigger, I need to know that I will actually receive the knife. It'd be a shame to spend $500 on something just so someone in customs can take it and enjoy for themselves.
 
Here's what I understand (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):

- The state of California itself has no restrictions on folding knives except balisongs and autos (neither of which I ever intend to own).
- San Francisco prohibits the carry of folding knives over 3 inches in (blade) length.

Now the situation. I want a Yuna. A Hard 3, to be exact. With a 3.5" blade, it will be illegal to carry, but will it be illegal to own? With some 9/11 paranoia still around, will someone go through the mail looking to confiscate anything illegal (at airports, USPS, etc)?

Before I pull the trigger, I need to know that I will actually receive the knife. It'd be a shame to spend $500 on something just so someone in customs can take it and enjoy for themselves.
One of my friends shipped a high-powered rifle via UPS back to the factory (several states away) to have some minor repairs performed. He informed the UPS employees that the piece was unloaded and nobody was in any danger of getting hurt. Mail being loaded onto planes may be scanned for explosives. Post 9/11, you can understand that keeping bombs off planes is a matter of life and death. Knives? Don't worry about it. While some dealers refuse to ship to NY, that is strictly a company policy, not the law. Manhattan D.A. Cyrus Vance, Jr., has them running scared with his draconian interpretation of NY law. This is of no concern to you, since you are in California. Order your knife and just keep it at home in your collection if you are afraid to carry it in public.
 
The City of San Francisco (I grew up there) does not ban possession or carry of folding knives with blades longer than 3". What's prohibited is carry of such a knife while loitering, fighting, or otherwise engaging in disorderly conduct.

City and County of San Francisco Police Code
Sec. 1241 PROHIBITING LOITERING WHILE CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS.

(a) As used in this Section, but in no wise limited thereto, "dangerous or deadly weapon" shall mean: any knife with a blade three inches or more in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade, or snap-blade or other similar type knife; any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device; any ice pick, or similar sharp, stabbing tool; any straight edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle; any cutting, stabbing, bludgeoning weapon or device capable of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, while carrying concealed upon his person any dangerous or deadly weapon, to loaf or loiter upon any public street, sidewalk, or alley, or to wander about from place to place, with no lawful business thereby to perform, or to hide, lurk, loiter upon or about the premises of another.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person who has concealed upon his person or who has in his immediate physical possession any dangerous or deadly weapon to engage in any fight or to participate in any other rough or disorderly conduct upon any public place or way or upon the premises of another.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person who has concealed upon his person any dangerous or deadly weapon to loiter about any place where intoxicating liquors are sold or any other place of public resort.

(e) The foregoing restrictions shall not be deemed to prohibit the carrying of ordinary tools or equipment carried in good faith for uses of honest work, trade or business or for the purpose of legitimate recreation.
 
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