Small fixed blade in Cali?

Quiet Storm

Quiet Storm

Joined
May 17, 2002
Messages
5,757
I'd like to get a Meyerco Buddy (blade length 2 1/8") as a small birthday present for a friend of mine who's living in California (Berkeley if that matters). I'd place the order with an American online knife retailer in the US and pay via credit card from where I live (Germany).
Now I'd like to know whether this knife is legal for him to own (very likely - after all they got kitchen cutlery over there, right?) and carry (less likely) - I know that Cali laws are prohibitive but I'm not sure about the details.

Any input appreciated.

[Sorry, this is a copied thread, I posted the other one in the knife laws forum about an hour ago, but since that section sees little traffic (I'm not that impatient but I suspect that there won't be too many replies over there).
I hope the mods don't mind. If you do, I apologize - feel free to delete this.]
 
a fixed blade is legal to carry provided the knife is worn openly on the belt. I sometimes carry a CUDA Arclite hanging from my beltloop. So far only a couple of people have mentioned it, and they were fellow knife knuts. So long as it's not a monster blade he should be fine.

Frank
 
SilverFox is right. No length limit except in schools and universities (2.5"). A dude named Jim March has a very thorough page here. It goes into all of the details. From a quick skim, a 2 1/8" blade sould be legal just about anywhere in California. You might want to send a copy with your gift :)

edit: clarified phrasing.
 
Originally posted by Quiet Storm

[Sorry, this is a copied thread, I posted the other one in the knife laws forum about an hour ago, but since that section sees little traffic (I'm not that impatient but I suspect that there won't be too many replies over there).
I hope the mods don't mind. If you do, I apologize - feel free to delete this.]
Click to expand...

Did a similar thing... so here it goes:

What about transportation of a fixed blade in a bag/luggage, would that be construed as concealed carry?
 
Keep in mind that local laws depending on what city, town, or county you are in may be more or less restrictive. In some Calif counties I've even been asked to remove my Leatherman Wave from my belt, because of local laws on carrying knives. However, the officer was very courtious and suggested that if I just put it in my wife's purse, out of sight, it'd be OK.

Oh yeah, you can't have any blade over 3 inches inside any State buildings (in Calif).

TT2Toes
 
hehehehehe... Hi!
You guys should take a trip where I live in Denmark! Here in denmark the only kind of knife you can carry in public places is a folder knife with a blade lenght UNDER 7 CENTIMETER!
One hand opening knifes are prohibited, auto and balisongs knives can send you in jail! If you carry a fixed blade on the street,whatever the lenght of the blade, you 'll be arested too EXEPT if you have some fishing or hunting gear with you and can justify the use of such a terrible weapon...
Last month a tourist was killed by some teenagers with a knife and since then the politicians speak about our laws about knifes is too "permitive"...can you guys imagine that?
 
Be sure to have your friend research local knife laws for both Alameda County and the City of Berkeley. These are very left-leaning areas (duh!) and may have very restrictive knife laws.

You might want to check in with the Bay Area Knife Collectors Asociation and see if anyone there is familiar with those County and City laws.
 
Ownership of a small fixed blade is probably legal even in the most restrictive areas in Cali, right?
 
Ownership of a small fixed blade is probably legal even in the most restrictive areas in Cali, right?
Click to expand...
Ownership (possession) of "normal" fixed-blades is pretty unrestricted under State Law in CA (other than the restrictions under section 12020--IIRC--of belt-buckle knifes, lipstick knives, etc.). Some cities and counties may have more restrictive laws. Carrying a fixed-blade in CA is pretty much unrestricted under State Law as long as it it not concealed; carrying a fixed-blade of any length concealed is illegal under State Law. State Law allows carrying a folder of any length concealed. IANAL. YMMV. EIEIO.
 
Originally posted by oliverplomion
hehehehehe... Hi!
You guys should take a trip where I live in Denmark! Here in denmark the only kind of knife you can carry in public places is a folder knife with a blade lenght UNDER 7 CENTIMETER!
One hand opening knifes are prohibited, auto and balisongs knives can send you in jail! If you carry a fixed blade on the street,whatever the lenght of the blade, you 'll be arested too EXEPT if you have some fishing or hunting gear with you and can justify the use of such a terrible weapon...
Last month a tourist was killed by some teenagers with a knife and since then the politicians speak about our laws about knifes is too "permitive"...can you guys imagine that?
Click to expand...
So when are you moving? :eek:
 
Originally posted by TT2Toes
In some Calif counties I've even been asked to remove my Leatherman Wave from my belt, because of local laws on carrying knives. However, the officer was very courtious and suggested that if I just put it in my wife's purse, out of sight, it'd be OK.
Click to expand...
C'mon! How did he know what it was? Could have been a cellphone...where do you go that police look at what is on your belt? police don't even seem to notice me when I walk past, much less what is on my belt.
 
Anyone know the law for folders in Los Angeles County. I know the County laws are stricter than state, but just not sure what exactly they are.
 
For Los Angeles CITY:

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=alp:lamc_ca

SEC. 55.10. CARRY KNIVES OR DAGGERS IN PLAIN VIEW PROHIBITED.
(Added by Ord. No. 162,995, Eff. 1/7/88.)

(a) As used in this section, the term “knife” or “dagger” shall include any knife, dirk or dagger having a blade 3 inches or more in length, any ice pick or similar sharp tool, any straight edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle.

(b) No person shall wear or carry in plain view any knife or dagger upon any public street or other public place or in any place open to the public.

(c) The prohibitions of this section shall not apply where a person is wearing or carrying a knife or dagger for use in a lawful occupation, for lawful recreational purposes, or as a recognized religious practice, or while the person is traveling to or returning from participation in such activity.


For Los Angeles COUNTY:

http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/lacounty/

13.62.010 Knives and daggers defined.

As used in this chapter, the terms "knives and daggers" shall include any knife having a blade of three inches or more in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade or snap-blade 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. (Ord. 11915 § 1, 1979.)

13.62.020 Carrying knives and daggers in plain view prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to carry on his person, in plain view, any knife or dagger. (Ord. 11915 § 2, 1979.)

13.62.030 Exemptions to chapter applicability.

The foregoing restrictions shall not be deemed to prohibit the carrying of ordinary tools or equipment for use in a lawful occupation or for the purpose of lawful recreation, or where the carrying of a knife or dagger is a recognized religious practice. (Ord. 11915 § 3, 1979.)

13.62.040 Violation -- Penalty.

Any person violating this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 11915 § 4, 1979.)
 
so does this mean that carrying a blade of more than 3 inches concealed is legal? it only specifies in plain view.
 
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