Reply #2: I'm happy with California state laws on edged weapons [View All]

[slackmaster]

We can't carry switchblades (which is something I wouldn't do anyway), but we are permitted to carry folding knives of any size concealed as long as they are folded. There is a little wrinkle in CA Penal Code Section 653(k) that defines some types of folding knives as switchblades even though they lack a spring.

(See http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=639-653.1 )

There are no limits on open, visible carry of knives or swords.

Some California localities have restrictions on blade length. Los Angeles County, the city of Los Angeles, and the city of Berkeley have regulations. Berkeley is the strictest - You can't carry any knife with a blade over 2 inches long but there is a huge loophole for knives carried as tools. It's a law designed to be selectively enforced by the police, and I have a big problem with that in principle but since I don't live there I can't do anything about it.

The only real federal knife laws are the restrictions on switchblades. We can legally own them and keep them in our homes here in Cali, or even make them for personal use.