- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
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- 7,702
Yeah, I couldn't find much in the municipal codes for San Francisco; the only thing mentioned is that it is illegal to loiter or fight in public areas AND carry a knife over 3". It is quite vague and seems to leave room for interpretation.
For instance, it seems that as long as you aren't loitering/brawling, or if the knife is a legimate "tool" or piece of "equipment" to be used in work, trade, business, or legitimate recreation, then you can carry any length folder - same as state law. However, if you were loitering and carrying a knife over 3", then you'd be breaking a SF municipal code. So basically, as long as you're under 3" you're definitely fine in SF (lucky for me with my delica
) Otherwise, you better have proof that you're about "lawful business" 
SEC. 1291. 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.
(Amended by Ord. 9939, Series of 1939, App. 10/17/56)
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?sid=5&browseAllCodes=San Francisco
Keep in mind this is all de jure, not de facto. I wouldn't argue legality with an officer unless I was an attorney and knew all the pertinent case law. Even then, I wouldn't want to piss the LEOs off
They work to keep you safe, don't make their lives (and consequently your own) harder. All in all: be aware of state law as well as municipal codes; use your judgment; treat LEOs with the respect they deserve - don't argue legality, it's their job to ensure public safety; if confiscated, politely ask for a receipt; if denied a receipt, politely ask for name and badge number. That way, no one stresses out
Edit: other mentions of knives in SF municipal codes; not as relevant or are even more vague, but here they are anyway:
SEC. 3.1. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (SEC. 4.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT is similar but pertains to dept. of parks and rec)
No person shall, in any park, without written permission of the Executive Director:
(A) Throw or propel objects of a potentially dangerous nature, including, but not limited to, stones, bottles, glass, cans or crockery;
(B) Fire or carry firearms of any size or description, or possess any instrument, appliance or substance designed, made or adopted for use primarily as a weapon, including, but not limited to, air rifles, slingshots, clubs, swords, razors, billies, explosives, dirk knives, bowie knives or similar knives, except that this subsection shall not apply to a police or other peace officer;
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SEC. 1292. PROHIBITING THE SALE, TRANSFER, OR POSSESSION OF SPRING-BLADE, SWITCH-BLADE, SNAP-BLADE KNIVES, OR OTHER SIMILAR TYPE KNIVES; PENALTY THEREFOR.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Article to the contrary, no person shall sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, keep, carry, possess, loan, transfer or give to any other person, any spring-blade, switch-blade, snap-blade knife, or other similar type knife, or any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device. Violation of this Section shall be punished by fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days.
(Added by Ord. 9938, Series of 1939; App. 10/17/56)
SEC. 1293. PROHIBITING THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF KNIVES TO MINORS OTHER THAN BY PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, EXCEPT FOR TABLE KNIVES AND KNIVES CURRENTLY PROHIBITED FROM SALE UNDER STATE LAW; PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.
(a) Definitions. "Knife" includes, but is not limited to: any instrument with a cutting blade, made of steel or other similar durable cutting surface, capable of inflicting bodily harm.
(b) Ban on the Sale of Knives to Minors. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article to the contrary or any type of knife already proscribed under California Penal Code Sections 653(k) and 12020(a), no person shall knowingly sell, offer for sale, expose for sale or transfer to any minor, any type of knife as defined in Subsection (a), other than table knives. This prohibition shall not apply to the sale or transfer of knives defined in Subsection (a) by a parent or guardian to their own child.
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