Fixed blades in California.

[captain spaulding]

In California carrying a fixed blade is a very iffy thing unless you carry it "openly" on your belt. If you conceal it in any way (on your person) it is illegal. Concealed in your car is not on your person and is perfectly legal. There was a recent case in Los Angeles where a man was arrested for having 3 fixed blade shuriken throwing knives in his backpack. He fought the charges and his conviction was repealed. It was found that "on his person" does not apply to a backpack or briefcase or other containers that one carries. I just wanted to let any members here that live in California know that it is perfectly legal to conceal a fixed blade in a backpack or other container such as a tackle box or briefcase or anything that is not part of your clothes.

Please still be cautious as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland all have there own blade length limits when it comes to knives. Also know that many police officers might not be aware that concealing a fixed blade in a backpack is legal and you might still get arrested until they figure it out.

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. 




If anyone has a legal question about California knife laws feel free to ask me. I am in no way a lawyer so do not take my advice as such. I am well versed in California knife laws though and will always give a link to a Penal Code or Case to backup any information.

Just a thought. (ohhh.. no)  Why do we not have a legal section?



PEOPLE v. PELLECER

http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20CACO%2020130417044






I forgot to add this, but will now. Carrying the shuriken throwing knives is still illegal, but they could not charge him for that.


Quote: In light of our conclusion that defendant did not violate former section 12020, subdivision (a)(4), we need not address his remaining contentions. Because we reverse for insufficiency of evidence, defendant may not be retried.

[Nhoj]

Thank you for posting this. I'm paranoid that if I ever go to California hiking, a mountain lion will jump out and attack me. Ok I'm actually not paranoid or even really worried but if I go on a trip to California I will carry my KA-BAR fixed blade in case I suddenly find myself under a crazy attacking mountain lion.

[detron]

I just wish people would realize that a knife is more a tool than a weapon.

also any item you make illegal, means only criminals will be carrying it.

criminals still carry illegal knives and guns.  all you have done is removed that freedom from honest citizens

My views only, feel free to disagree

[Marius]

Thanks, Captain for informing the people. Sincerely, it sucks!

 

[comis]

I just wish people would realize that a knife is more a tool than a weapon.

also any item you make illegal, means only criminals will be carrying it.

criminals still carry illegal knives and guns.  all you have done is removed that freedom from honest citizens

My views only, feel free to disagree

That is so very true, and it seems to be a trend about the world. 

I felt a little sad to read that not too long ago Doug Ritter was rallying people for kniferights.org to protest against banning assistet-opening knife.  Knife is such an ancient tool that had been in used forever, and it wasn't that long ago that our livelihood still relied on knife on a daily basis.  Banning assisted knife(which constitute more than 50% of all pocket knives carry in US) is similar to banning handguns while continue to allow ownership of automatic/high caliber weapon...