Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I’m California resident and I want to take a pocket knife with me on a camping trip to a California State Park. I know there is no problem about having the knife at the park, but it’s getting there that concerns me. If I carry the knife in the trunk of my car, do I need to look up the knife laws in every single county, city, and small town along the way to be certain that I’m not breaking some local knife law as I pass through town? Or is transporting a standard pocket knife for a legitimate recreational purpose always okay?

Thank you very much.


Asked on 9/18/18, 4:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

In CA, knives are not generally subjected to irrational, conflicting possession regulations and restrictions like firearms, yet. The main rules generally applicable to carried 'pocket knives' are: no 'fully automatic opening', i.e. 'switchblade blade', over 2", no, misleading, disguised or 'undetectable' knives, and no carry into restricted areas like courthouses.

All the criminal code rules apply to 'illegal' USE of knives, just like any other weapon.

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Answered on 9/19/18, 8:54 am


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