Posted: 7/28/2009 4:12:48 PM EDT
Hey guy's, I am visiting San Diego in about a month. What limitations will I have for carrying blades? Also any suggestions on what I MUST do while in the area would be appreciated. 
|
|
Any local city ordinances aside, California knife laws are ambiguous at best. A safe bet is to stick with a folder about the size of a Spyderco Delica or so. Double edged knifes, autos, dirks, daggers and punch knives are verboten for carry here. Not simple ownership necessarily, but DEFINITELY for carry purposes.
Nobody looks twice at you if you have a conservatively sized folder clipped to your pocket or a sheathed leatherman. If you are camping you can even get by with a fixed blade sheath knife. Stay away from 3 foot long choppers with shrunken heads attached with paracord via the lanyard, and you'll be okay. Discretion is the key word-I don't think you need to worry about concealment. |
|
Quoted:
Switchblades are allowed up to a certain size and only the daggers, dirks, and ballistic knives are actually outlawed. A dagger or dirk is a two sided blade - a cut down sword and ballistic knives are the Russian gun powered propelled knives. A dirk or dagger is any knife that can be readily used as a stabbing implement, and is not limited to two sided blades (which are still legal to own and possess). In fact, dirks and daggers are not prohibited from carry, they are prohibited from CONCEALED carry. Safest way to avoid all of these issues is to just stick to carrying a folder. |
|
Lots of BS in here.
Fixed blade - you may not carry any fixed blade knife of any length if it is concealed. Openly carried in a holster upon the belt is specifically stated as legal in the penal code. "dirks and daggers" is jut a term for a fixed-blade knife. A knife sharpened on both sides is not illegal in California. Folding blade - If it is not an automatic knife (press a button, the blade flips out), it has a bias towards closure which must be overcome in order to open the blade, and it has a thumb stud or groove, then you may carry it concealed near everywhere in California (barring local restrictions). There is no blade length limits. You could carry a folding katana if you wanted as long as it meets the specifications. |
|
Quoted:
Lots of BS in here. Fixed blade - you may not carry any fixed blade knife of any length if it is concealed. Openly carried in a holster upon the belt is specifically stated as legal in the penal code. Weird . An Oceanside PD officer told me this still counted as concealed . |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Lots of BS in here. Fixed blade - you may not carry any fixed blade knife of any length if it is concealed. Openly carried in a holster upon the belt is specifically stated as legal in the penal code. Weird . An Oceanside PD officer told me this still counted as concealed . The key is "openly carried" as in not only is it in a holster on the belt, but it is not covered or concealed by anything. Legal. |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for all of the replies gents! I'll be sure to check out the suggestions and to pack a folder. Are spring assisted Kershaws good to go? It's a tricky answer and allows for some open interpretation by officers. Penal Code 653k covers it, the part that will be used against you by an officer who likes using the law will follow this... For the purposes of this section, "switchblade knife" means a
knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. But within the definition of Penal Code 653k resides, which suggests spring assist is allowable. "Switchblade knife" does not
include a knife that 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 biases the blade back toward its closed position. In the end, depends on the officer and depends on if he wants to jack with you. Meaning don't get into trouble where an officer will feel inclined to question your morality and intentions of carrying a knife. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Thanks for all of the replies gents! I'll be sure to check out the suggestions and to pack a folder. Are spring assisted Kershaws good to go? <snip> But within the definition of Penal Code 653k resides, which suggests spring assist is allowable. "Switchblade knife" does not include a knife that 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 biases the blade back toward its closed position. That part was added to the penal code by SB 274 in 2002 to specifically exempt spring assist knives from the switchblade definition. AFAIK, there have been no legal wranglings over it. The definition is pretty clear. See also http://reviews.ebay.com/The-California-Penal-Code-Knife-Law-amp-Legal-Definitions_W0QQugidZ10000000003504505 OTOH, if you live in Texas you might be arrested for it. http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/01/knives_out_lawsuit_claims_stor.php |
|
As far as places to dine, you absolutely must check out this restaurant:
Gaslamp Strip Club 340 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA p: 619.231.3140 Linky It’s a legit steak house that has the most incredible collection of brunette waitresses. A-freak’n-mazing. |