California Knife Laws: What You Need to Know (2023)

FAQs

What are the laws for carrying a knife in California? ›

A: In California, you can legally purchase, own, transport, and carry any knife that is not restricted under the law. California's open carry law states that the hilt or handle of a knife can't be hidden or concealed. This includes if the hilt is hidden underneath clothing or in the blade's sheath.

In California, switchblades with blades of two inches or longer are illegal. Fixed-blade knives with blades of two-and-a-half inches or longer are illegal on college/university/school premises. And any knife with a blade longer than four inches is illegal in a public building.

Any knife with a blade that is 2 inches or longer and can be opened with a button or the flick of your wrist is illegal. Concealed possession of fixed blade knives (dirk or dagger), irrespective of blade length is illegal. Sale or possession of a disguised blade is illegal.

Concealment. A California statute, § 20200 provides: A knife carried in a sheath that is worn openly suspended from the waist of the wearer is not concealed within the meaning of Section 16140, 16340, 17350, or 21310.

It is currently legal for a minor to carry a knife in California as long as that knife complies with other state laws. No part of the California Penal Code explicitly prohibits minors (persons under the age of 18) from carrying a knife. A fixed blade knife is a knife without a folding mechanism.

Knife blades cannot be longer than 5.5 inches. Certain types of knives, such as switchblades, spring-loaded knives, swords, spears, and daggers are also outlawed.

A. In the State of California, there is no maximum length for knives in general. However, the maximum legal length for a switchblade knife is 2 inches. Additionally, it is illegal to carry daggers or dirks concealed, and also illegal to carry many types of knives which are designed for concealment.

Knives that are illegal to possess in California include ballistic knives, cane knives, air gauge knives, lipstick knives, belt buckle knives, writing pen knives, switchblades with a blade of two inches or longer, and undetectable knives made from materials that cannot be detected by metal detectors.

Convicted felons may possess daggers, dirks or stillettos in his or her residence, but may not carry them in cars or in public. The other weapons cannot be owned.

What is a dirk or dagger in California? ›

A dirk or dagger is 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. Most pocketknives and folding knives are not considered to be dirks or daggers unless the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.

A spring assisted knife is legal in California as long as it “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 ...

In California, anything with a fixed blade (like a sword) must be worn in plain view. But sheathed knives worn openly are not considered illegal concealed weapons. However, if you're carrying a cane sword, you can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Possession of a cane sword could lead to criminal charges. Penal Code 20150 PC makes it a crime to possess, manufacture, sell, or give away a cane sword. Cane swords are illegal in California under Penal Code 20510 PC, which states that it is a criminal offense to manufacture, sell, import, give, or possess them.

A dirk is a long bladed thrusting dagger. Historically, it gained its name from the Highland Dirk (Scots Gaelic "Dearg") where it was a personal weapon of officers engaged in naval hand-to-hand combat during the Age of Sail as well as the personal sidearm of Highlanders.

California Penal Code 22610 PC states in part: “anyone may purchase, possess, or use a stun gun, subject to the following requirements: (a) Nobody convicted of a felony or any crime involving an assault, or convicted of misuse of a stun gun under Section 244.5, shall purchase, possess, or use any stun gun.

You Can Legally Own a Switchblade at Home

It is also important to know that it is only illegal to possess a switchblade knife in the passenger or driver's area of a vehicle, to carry the knife on you, and to sell, offer to sell, loan, or give the knife to someone else.

In California, butterfly knives are prohibited. Under California Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are classified as a form of switchblade. Carrying, possessing in public, selling, or otherwise transferring a butterfly knife is illegal under this legislation.

California is known for having rather complicated weapon laws, and knives are no exception. It is completely unlawful to bring a weapon into public spaces like schools, public buildings, and any property owned by the U.S government.

Good reasons for carrying a knife or weapon in public

If the knife or weapon is not banned, some examples of 'good reasons' include using it: for your work. for religious reasons, such as the kirpan some Sikhs carry. as part of any national costume.

How far do you have to throw a knife from Target? ›

Generally for a half rotation spin, you will want to be about six feet from your target. (experiment with different distances to find your "sweet spot"). Next, grip your knife with blade facing you (handle towards the sky). Throw the knife at your target with moderate force.

This is our selection of California legal out-the-front knives. These knives are compact, but there's nothing “little” about the action on these OTFs. With great action and a travel-friendly size, you can't go wrong with a Cali-legal OTF.

Bowie knives are legal. Large knives are legal (no restrictions in size). Carrying knives in the open is legal in California.

Penal Code 32310(c) goes on to make it a crime for a person to possess a large capacity magazine, regardless of the date is was acquired. A “large-capacity magazine” means any ammunition-feeding device with the capacity to hold more than 10 rounds.

It is against the law to use belt buckle knives (BBKs) in California. In fact, individuals are not even allowed to possess these weapons in most circumstances. Individuals who are caught with belt buckle knives can face charges under Penal Code 20410. California treats PC 20410 as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

The short answer is no. California has instituted some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and conviction of any felony and certain misdemeanors will render you ineligible to own or possess a gun in California.

While not considered to be a primary weapon of choice in a defense-of-life situation, officers may, under extraordinary circumstances, use a tactical folding knife in defense of their life and the lives of others.

A knife is not illegal because it is designed to open by the force of gravity and lock into place; the knife is illegal when it actually does open by the force of gravity and locks into place by means of a procedure used by the District Attorney's office to identify a gravity knife, called the “wrist flick test.”

We have checked rules & regs in many states including OR, CA, WA, CO, UT, PA, FL, TN, NY, NJ… In fact, the only state we have confirmed explicitly prohibits use of conventional straight razors is Rhode Island!

What is a ghost gun California? ›

California has been the epicenter of a devastating and fast-growing ghost gun crisis as ghost gun companies sought to exploit legal loopholes in the definition of the word “firearm” itself to sell unfinished DIY gun build kits and other products designed to circumvent California's strong gun safety laws.

A stiletto (Italian: [stiˈletto]) is a knife or dagger with a long slender blade and needle-like point, primarily intended as a stabbing weapon.

They were rescued from “The Blade,” a sinister new term for the mean streets, where they plied their trade. They were placed for care, treatment and education in Children of the Night, a 24-bed group home in Van Nuys.

Brass knuckles are prohibited in California under the state's statute on generally prohibited weapons. This statute can be found in the California Penal Code 16590 PC.

Last updated September 15, 2021 . A U.S. citizen or legal resident over age 18 may generally carry a handgun anywhere within his or her place of residence, place of business, or on private property owned or lawfully possessed by the citizen or legal resident.

In California, you cannot transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and you cannot have a loaded firearm on private property unless you have permission. You can only possess a loaded firearm while you are pursuing your wildlife, and only when you are on property in which you are permitted.

California generally prohibits a person from carrying a concealed handgun in a motor vehicle, unless the handgun is in a locked container or the vehicle's trunk,¹ or the person has a valid concealed weapons license.².

Openly carrying loaded or unloaded firearms in public is generally prohibited in California. However, the sheriff of any county with a population under 200,000 people, or the chief of police of a city within that county, may issue licenses to carry a loaded, exposed handgun.

The possession of firearms by any person in the Gaming Facility is prohibited at all times, except for federal, state, or local law enforcement personnel or tribal law enforcement or security personnel authorized by tribal law and federal or state law to possess firearms at the Facility.

Is it legal to carry a spear in California? ›

(a) No person shall carry, possess or discharge across, in or into any portion of any unit any weapon, firearm, spear, bow and arrow, trap, net, or device capable of injuring, or killing any person or animal, or capturing any animal, or damaging any public or private property, except in underwater parks or designated ...

As long as the knife must be opened manually, pocket knives are fully legal for anyone to concealed carry while folded. Any unfolded or fixed knife must be carried openly, a belt or leg sheath is fine as long as it's visible and readily apparent what it is. Spring-loaded or other switchblades are illegal above 2″.

Knives that are illegal to possess in California include ballistic knives, cane knives, air gauge knives, lipstick knives, belt buckle knives, writing pen knives, switchblades with a blade of two inches or longer, and undetectable knives made from materials that cannot be detected by metal detectors.

In California, having a butterfly knife is a misdemeanor. Convictions can result in up to 6 months in county prison and/or $1,000 in fines.

In addition, California generally prohibits any person, firm or corporation from selling, offering for sale, possessing or knowingly transporting any fixed ammunition greater than . 60 caliber.