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Sword and machete laws in California?

Shoobee

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
599
Location
CCCP (Calif)
Is anyone already familiar with the sword and machete laws in California?

Can you bring these in your car?
 
Last edited:

mjones

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
976
Location
Prescott, AZ
Is anyone already familiar with the sword and machete laws in California?

Can you bring these in your car?

Concealment of a fixed-blade knife (which would include swords and machetes) on the person is illegal in CA. They are considered 'dirks or dagger'. Prosecutable as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

'on the person' in CA is generally interpreted to mean 'under your control', so concealed in the passenger area of a car should be avoided.

Also keep in mind that there isn't state preemption on knife laws. Its possible that even open carry of swords or machete could be illegal on a county or municipal level. For example, I believe the City of Los Angeles has a municipal code prohibiting open carry of a knife with a blade larger then 3 inches. Sorry, no citation for that one; I'm not sure of the blade length.

------------

16470. As used in this part, "dirk" or "dagger" means a knife or
other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of ready
use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or
death. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not
prohibited by Section 21510, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use
as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death
only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.

16590. As used in this part, "generally prohibited weapon" means
any of the following:
(i) A concealed dirk or dagger, as prohibited by Section 21310.

21310. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section
17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who carries
concealed upon the person any dirk or dagger is punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state
prison.
 

Robin47

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
545
Location
Susanville, California, USA
Is anyone already familiar with the sword and machete laws in California?

Can you bring these in your car?

I used to be a trapper, back in late 1980's, and I also was a house painter, when I had jobs.
I always carried a K-bar (7 1/2 blade) Open carried.
There was never a problem.
I was in the bay area near San Fransisco.
And went in that area for my paining jobs.
Got some strange looks sometimes, but I never really care what other people do
or think.
Otherwise I would never have open carried fire arms also.
I used it to skin & flesh my pelts, on a beam.
Anyway from what I learned on "California Knife laws" Google it !

You can carry a pocket knife, with any length blade, as long as its got a detent (Blade Bios) Meaning
when you close the blade however small it might be, it kind of snaps shut.
And it must have a thumb stud.
Your best bet is to google California knife laws, and do some research.
As far as Dirks and Daggers, learn the differance, they are a certain kind of knife, and they can't be cocealed.

Some counties in California, like in LA, and Oakland, have passed laws, making it illegal for a
pocket knife over 3" long.
Long knifes like a sheath knife are mostly legal in most of California, if you opencarry them on your belt.

You can't carry a sheath knife on College campuses.
Like I said google and do your research.
Good Luck, and lets all start the K-Bar-Carry along with Zulu Spears ! :) Robin47
 

Decoligny

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2007
Messages
1,865
Location
Rosamond, California, USA
I used to be a trapper, back in late 1980's, and I also was a house painter, when I had jobs.
I always carried a K-bar (7 1/2 blade) Open carried.
There was never a problem.
I was in the bay area near San Fransisco.
And went in that area for my paining jobs.
Got some strange looks sometimes, but I never really care what other people do
or think.
Otherwise I would never have open carried fire arms also.
I used it to skin & flesh my pelts, on a beam.
Anyway from what I learned on "California Knife laws" Google it !

You can carry a pocket knife, with any length blade, as long as its got a detent (Blade Bios) Meaning
when you close the blade however small it might be, it kind of snaps shut.
And it must have a thumb stud.
Your best bet is to google California knife laws, and do some research.
As far as Dirks and Daggers, learn the differance, they are a certain kind of knife, and they can't be cocealed.

Some counties in California, like in LA, and Oakland, have passed laws, making it illegal for a
pocket knife over 3" long.
Long knifes like a sheath knife are mostly legal in most of California, if you opencarry them on your belt.

You can't carry a sheath knife on College campuses.
Like I said google and do your research.
Good Luck, and lets all start the K-Bar-Carry along with Zulu Spears ! :) Robin47

Dirks or Daggers are not "a certain kind of knife". According to the CA Penal Code, a dirk or dagger is defined as anything that can readily be used for stabbing. This can include a screwdriver, an icepick, an folding knife with the blade in the open position, even a knitting needle. The crime is committed when you conceal the "dirk or dagger" upon your person.

With dirks or daggers, length is not an issue. If you can readily use it to stab someone and cause injury, it is illegal to conceal, even if it is only 1" long.

The "certain kind of knife" fallacy has led to a lot of people thinking that double edged knives are illegal. They are not. Even a lot of LEOs do not understand this.
 

Robin47

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2008
Messages
545
Location
Susanville, California, USA
Dirks or Daggers are not "a certain kind of knife". According to the CA Penal Code, a dirk or dagger is defined as anything that can readily be used for stabbing. This can include a screwdriver, an icepick, an folding knife with the blade in the open position, even a knitting needle. The crime is committed when you conceal the "dirk or dagger" upon your person.

With dirks or daggers, length is not an issue. If you can readily use it to stab someone and cause injury, it is illegal to conceal, even if it is only 1" long.

The "certain kind of knife" fallacy has led to a lot of people thinking that double edged knives are illegal. They are not. Even a lot of LEOs do not understand this.

Yeah your right Decoligny, we might also add toothpicks, and hatpins to that list too ! Robin47 :)
 
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