Zero Tolerance 350 legal to carry in CA

[Atractaspis]

Noob here, trying to understand my states (CA) knife laws. Just got my first Zero Tolerance 350. Not really sure what cetegory of knife this make/model belongs to as it flips open pretty readily when one pushes down on the part of the blade that protrudes through the back of the handle when folded. It springs open with considerable force and ease. For this reason I'm wondering if this particular make/model or style of knife would be considered a "switchblade" under CA law. It certainly appears to be spring-loaded and the blade is well over 2"; so legal to carry or not? Any insight is greatly appreciated as I don't want to break any laws with my EDC.

 

[glistam]

The ZT 350 is an assisted opener or spring-assisted knife. As such the mechanism exploits a loophole that exists in the vast majority of anti-switchblade laws: The presence of a switch that is part of the handle, not the blade. The ZT 350's switch is actually part of the blade's tang, and the design is more or less the same as many popular Kershaw knives sold at Walmart and sporting good stores.

Here is a paste of the latest California switchblade law:

17235. As used in this part, "switchblade knife" means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. "Switchblade knife" does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.

As you can see, the phrasing of California's law was actually tuned to exclude this type of knife from the ban. Though why they didn't just repeal the ban altogether is beyond me. There is nothing special about switchblade compared to most knives these days.

 

[themandylion]

The ZT 0350 is completely legal to carry concealed in California save for on K-12 school grounds (no locking folders) and the usual "sterile areas" (airports, court houses, etc.). As glistam cited, it's not a switchblade, provided it complies with the statute cited (previously PC 653K, now three new renumbered statutes, including 17235 as noted - see my thread in this subforum).

"Flipper only" A/O knives are a strong gray area, but since the 0350 has thumbstuds, you're good.