Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Thank you in advance for your time.

I have been doing quite a bit of research pursuant to California knife laws. Some of which is clear and some a bit ambiguous. The most pertinent information seems to be in Penal Codes 653k and 12020. This research is in the direction of "carry" laws not "use" laws. I also realize that local ordinances can vary. But from a state perspective the best I can figure out is the following:

1 - If carried in sheaths, which are worn openly, there appears to be no ban on length limit, double-edge, "dirk or dagger." With the exception of the following which are banned (ballistic knife, belt buckle knife, lipstick case knife, any cane sword, any shobi-zue, any air gauge knife, and any writing pen knife)

2 - As for folding knives if the blade cannot be declared "a gravity knife or switchblade of two or more inches in length" and so long as it's concealed in the FULLY closed position, there appears to be no ban on length limit, double-edge, "dirk or dagger."

I would appreciate if you could either confirm or deny this and document the sources you site.

Thank you,


Asked on 10/25/10, 11:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Roach Law Office of Anthony A. Roach

The only statewide blade length that I know of is Penal Code section 171b. That statute makes it illegal to bring any knife with a blade length in excess of four inches into any state or local public building or public meeting.

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Answered on 11/01/10, 9:29 am


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