California's Knife Laws - What You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What are the knife rules in California? ›

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.

This includes a “pocketknife” or “Swiss army knife,” box cutter, or “utility knife.” According to California Penal Code Section 17235, all folding knives are legal in the state and may be concealed as long as they are in the folded position. There is also no restriction on the blade length of a folding knife.

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. Otherwise, California law has no laws regulating the maximum lengths of knives.

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.

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.

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. Penal code § 20200 does not prescribe the exclusive method of open carry compliance.

Sale or possession of a disguised blade is illegal. It is illegal to carry any knife that has a blade that is 2 inches or longer on school grounds. Possession of a fixed-blade knife with a blade longer than 2 ½ inches on any college or university grounds is illegal.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Licensed concealed carry is legal generally on BLM land. Unlicensed concealed carry may be legal in your campsite. Loaded and unloaded open carry are illegal in "prohibited areas" including the campground. Loaded and unloaded open carry is legal in "prohibited areas" in your campsite.

California generally prohibits people from openly carrying loaded firearms (both handguns and long guns) in public,¹ with a narrow exception for residents of smaller counties: under California law, the sheriff of any county with a population under 200,000 people, or the chief of police of a city within that county, may ...

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.

Can a 17 year old buy a pocket knife in California? ›

Age Restrictions for Knife Ownership in California

In California, the minimum age requirement for purchasing and carrying a knife is 18 years old. This applies to all types of knives, including folding pocket knives, fixed-blade knives, and balisong (butterfly) knives.

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, 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.

And it is legal for people to defend themselves with a pocket knife as long as they act reasonably. California law permits the use of force in self-defense or defense of others when the victim reasonably believes he/she or others are in imminent danger of physical harm, and that force is required to deflect the danger.

California Penal Code § 626.10 PC makes it a crime to bring dangerous weapons onto school grounds, including K-12 schools and any private or public university or college. The offense is a wobbler that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

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.

Yes, hollow-spot spheres are legal in the United States. A civilian can possess hollow-point bullets in any state except New Jersey.

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.”

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 ...

A felon on PRCS or parole statutorily can't have a knife with a blade length over 2” without written permission from their PO, and only for work purposes or kitchen knives used to eat. A felon on probation might have a condition prohibiting the possession of any knife.

Is California stand your ground? ›

California Law

Though California does not have a stand your ground statute, the state appellate cases have held that there is no duty to retreat before using force in public.

Last updated January 5, 2023 . 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.

There are no restrictions on the quantity (how much) ammunition you can buy or what caliber (what you buy does not have to match the caliber of any gun you have registered). This does not apply to reloading supplies; powder, bullets, primers, cases, etc.

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.

May I carry a concealed firearm in California? Generally you may not carry a concealed firearm on your person in public unless you have a valid Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license.

Under California Penal Code §26350, carrying an unloaded handgun is also a crime. This includes carrying an exposed and unloaded handgun in any public place or on a public street.

'Seax' is the generic Old English word for knife, but is used by archaeologists to describe the larger iron single-edged knives which first appear in Anglo-Saxon graves of the seventh century.

These knives are made of a super strong nylon composite that is almost as hard as steel. They can be driven through plywood like a nail. They are completely undetectable when passing through metal detectors.

Silver Stag knives is a line of hunting knives and swords, made in the USA, that feature stainless steel, high carbon tool steel, or Damascus blades; paired with shed antler handles.

Because of how easily they can be concealed, switchblade knives are considered to be highly effective weapons. As a result, carrying a switchblade on one's person or in one's vehicle or offering to sell or provide a switchblade to another person is a criminal offense under California Penal Code Section 21510 PC.

Are stiletto knives illegal? ›

Remember though, the stiletto is only banned or restricted in 16 states and is legal in states from coast to coast, between the borders, and even in Alaska. It's just important to check your local knife laws to make sure they are allowed to be owned and carried.

It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less.

According to California Penal Code 466, anyone who keeps certain tools in their possession with the intent to enter a property, and without authorization to enter is guilty of this crime. There are 15 tools outlined in this code, and some of them include crowbars, picklocks, slim jims, master keys and more.

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.

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.

Some people who are not willing to carry a gun will carry a knife thinking it a less legally-serious option. While it may fit different carry laws, using a knife in self-defense is still generally considered lethal force in the same way deploying a firearm is considered lethal force.

Knife fighting means keeping your knife in your hand. Your non-dominant arm protects the neck, head, and ribs. You hold the knife like a hammer with your fingers wrapped around the hilt.

For some, a knife offers all the self-defense they need. With the many options available, a knife can prove the perfect weapon for self-protection. In many cases, a folding knife is the choice because of easier concealment. However, with just a little effort, a fixed blade knife also can prove effective.

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.

Under California Penal Code Section 17235, all folding knives are legal in the state and can be concealed if they are in the folded position. There is no restriction on the blade length when it comes to owning or possessing a folding knife.

How long can you go to jail for pulling a knife on someone? ›

The maximum sentence for carrying a knife illegally is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. If you injure someone or use a knife to commit a crime, the penalties could increase.

The maximum sentence for illegally carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine. The penalties are higher if you injure someone or use a knife to commit a crime. There is a mandatory minimum sentence of six months custody for offenders who use any type of weapon to threaten.

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.

Although they are often confused with switchblades, assisted-opening knives differ from switchblades in many ways. One of the ways the two knives differ is that while switchblades are prohibited, assisted-opening knives are perfectly legal.