Source: https://www.shouselaw.com/california-knife-laws.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:56:58+00:00

Document:
Broadly speaking, California law places knives into three general categories: (1) knives that may be worn openly, but may not be concealed, (2) knives that may be carried either openly or concealed, and (3) knives that are always illegal to carry in California.
California's law prohibits carrying concealed “dirks” and “daggers.” Dirks and daggers are knives capable of causing serious injury by stabbing. They may not be carried on one's person if they are concealed in any way. Nor may they be carried in a purse, briefcase or other container.
California has an “open-carry” knife law, however. It allows you to carry a dirk or dagger openly in a sheath suspended from your waist.
Folding knives (other than switchblades) may be carried concealed on your person if closed.
They may also be carried openly…unless…the blade is exposed and locked into position. Then the knife becomes a “dirk” or “dagger” and to be carried openly must be worn in a sheath suspended from your waist.
Pocket knives, box cutters and other “utility” knives generally fall into this category.
“novelty” knives, such as belt buckle knives and cane swords.
There are additional restrictions on carrying knives into schools and other public buildings. And you may not carry knives onto certain property owned by the United States government.
The knife statutes are full of nuances and technicalities. In some cases, they are even poorly written and difficult to understand.
But our California criminal defense attorneys include former prosecutors and cops. We understand California's knife laws. And we know the legal defenses that may help you fight…or lessen the penalty for…knife charges.
the police engaged in misconduct.
Penalties for violation of California's knife laws range from misdemeanor (summary) probation to up to three (3) years in county jail or California state prison.
These penalties apply even if you had no intention of using the knife as a weapon.
And if you actually threaten someone with an illegal knife -- or you use the knife as a weapon -- you face additional jail time. This extra time is on top of your sentence for possessing or carrying the knife.
California's laws against carrying concealed dirks or daggers is set forth in Penal Code 21310 PC. Penal Code 21310 makes it a crime to carry a concealed knife that is capable of inflicting significant injury by stabbing.
These knives -- called “dirks” or “daggers" -- may not legally be carried concealed on your person. The prohibition covers knives tucked into a waistband or other article of clothing. It also extends to knives carried in a purse, pocket, or anywhere else under your control.
Carrying a concealed dirk or dagger on your person is what is known as a California “wobbler” offense. A wobbler can be charged as either a California misdemeanor or a California felony, in the prosecutor's discretion.
If the blade is exposed and locked into position, an otherwise legal folding knife becomes a dirk or dagger under California law. In such a case, it must be worn openly in a sheath suspended from the waist.
The legal definitions of prohibited knives are very specific. If your knife doesn't strictly meet the definition, you have not violated California's knife laws.
And if your knife isn't capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon, it is not legally a dirk or dagger.
Example: Evan works as a handyman. On the way home from work one day, he is stopped and frisked by the police. He has a putty knife in his pocket. He is arrested and charged with carrying a concealed dirk and dagger. But because the tip of the knife isn't very sharp, Evan has a defense to the charges.
There is no requirement that you used – or intended to use – the knife as a weapon.25 You violate California's knife laws by simply knowing that you have a prohibited knife on your person.
Thus, carrying a prohibited knife in a pocket or purse counts as carrying it on your person.
But if you didn't know that you were carrying a knife…or you didn't know it had the characteristics of a prohibited knife…you have a defense to the charges.
Example: Alex borrows his friend's jacket, not knowing there is a prohibited knife in the pocket. He hasn't violated any law.
Example: A friend gives Janice a knife for protection, and tells her that she'll have to use two hands to open it. It turns out that the knife is actually a switchblade. But because Janice didn't know it opened automatically, she has a legal defense to charges of carrying a switchblade.
Example: When Adam's brother left to serve in Afghanistan, he gave Adam his automatic knife. Adam keeps it in the pocket of his jacket because he believes it will help his brother come home safe.
Adam fits the description of someone who robbed a house nearby. As a result, the police stop and frisk him. They find the knife. Adam had no intention of using it as a weapon. But he is still charged with carrying a switchblade in violation of Penal Code 21510. If Adam knew the knife had the characteristics of a switchblade, he is guilty of a misdemeanor.
your arrest or confession resulted from police misconduct.
Penal Code 171b violations are wobblers.28 They may be punished by up to one (1) year in county jail if charged as a misdemeanor. If charged as a felony, they can be punished by up to three (3) years in California state prison.
Penal Code 417, California's “brandishing a weapon” law makes it a crime to brandish a knife in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, or during a fight.
The minimum punishment for brandishing a weapon is thirty (30) days in county jail. The maximum is three (3) years in California state prison.
Penal Code 245(a)(1) is California's “assault with a deadly weapon” law (ADW). ADW is an offense commonly filed along with charges of possessing an illegal knife.
other means of force likely to cause great bodily injury to another person.
If you carry an illegal knife -- and you use that weapon to assault someone -- you could be charged for both possession and assault.
Assault with a deadly weapon is a California wobbler offense.39 If convicted of ADW as a felony, you face a maximum sentence of four (4) years in California state prison.
This sentencing enhancement cannot be filed in conjunction with charges of brandishing a weapon or assault with a deadly weapon. Use of a weapon is already an element of those charges.
Balancing the two competing concerns has proved a challenge for legislatures and courts.
Other appellate courts, however, reached the opposite conclusion.46 In 1993, the Legislature attempted to resolve these inconsistencies. It adopted the rationale of cases holding the defendant's intent irrelevant in determining whether he carried a concealed dirk or dagger.
That exemption is still the one applicable under current law. Effective January 1, 2012, Penal Code 16965, 17235, and 21510 replaced, without substantive change, former Penal Code 635k.
The federal Switchblade Knife Act of 1958, 15 U.S.C.1241- 45, has had a similar history.
The proposed change was defeated. But proponents have vowed to fight on.
If you or a loved one is charged with carrying an illegal knife and you are looking to hire an attorney for representation, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. We can provide a free consultation in office or by phone. We have local offices in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and throughout California. For Nevada knife laws, see our article on Nevada knife laws. In Colorado, see our page on Colorado knife laws.
1Penal Code 20200 PC -- 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 [air gauge knife], 16340 [cane sword], Section 17350 [writing pen knife], or 21310 [dirks and daggers].
2Penal Code 16470 -- As used in this part, "dirk" or "dagger" means 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. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not prohibited by Section 21510, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.
3Penal Code 16600 PC -- As used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 4 of Title 4, "great bodily injury" [in context of California knife laws] means a significant or substantial physical injury.
4Penal Code 21310 PC provides, in relevant part – [A]ny person in this state who carries concealed upon the person any dirk or dagger is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
See also California Penal Code 1170(h)(1) -- Except as provided in paragraph (3), a felony punishable pursuant to this subdivision where the term is not specified in the underlying offense shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment in a county jail for 16 months, or two or three years.
6Penal Code 17235 PC and 21510 PC.
10Penal Code 16140 PC and 20310 PC.
11Penal Code 16220 PC and Penal Code 21110 PC.
12Penal Code 16260 PC and Penal Code 20410 PC.
13Penal Code 16340 PC and 20510 PC.
14Penal Code 17290 PC and 20810 PC.
15Penal Code 16830 PC and 20610 PC.
16Penal Code 17160 PC and 20710 PC.
17Penal Code 17350 PC and 20910 PC.
18People v. Plumlee (2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 935, 83 Cal.Rptr.3d 172 (The switchblade offense is not more specific than the dirk-or-dagger offense for purposes of the specific-over-general rule. As a result, the choice between the two applicable statutes was within the prosecutor's discretion).
19California Penal Code 20810(a) -- Any person in this state who commercially manufactures or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who knowingly imports into the state for commercial sale, or who knowingly exports out of this state for commercial, dealer, wholesaler, or distributor sale, or who keeps for commercial sale, or offers or exposes for commercial, dealer, wholesaler, or distributor sale, any undetectable knife is guilty of a misdemeanor.
21California Penal Code 20310. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any air gauge knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 20410. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any belt buckle knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 20510. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any cane sword is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 20610. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any lipstick case knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 20710. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any shobi-zue is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 20910. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any writing pen knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
California Penal Code 21110. Except as provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any ballistic knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
22California Penal Code 17235 - As used in this part, "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. "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.
23In re Gilbert R. (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 514, 149 Cal.Rptr.3d (Knife was not a switchblade where uncontradicted expert testimony established that knife had both the necessary thumb stud intended for the knife to stay closed and a detent mechanism to hold the blade in the fixed and closed position until opened with pressure to the thumb stud overcoming the positive detent mechanism).
(2) Any deadly weapon described in Section 17235 or in any provision listed in Section 16590.
(s) A shobi-zue [a staff, crutch, stick, rod, or pole concealing a knife or blade within it, which may be exposed by a flip of the wrist or by a mechanical action], as prohibited by Section 20710.
29Penal Code 626.10(a)(1) (California knife laws) Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, a full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in this state, a person summoned by any officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while the person is actually engaged in assisting any officer, or a member of the military forces of this state or the United States who is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, knife having a blade longer than 2 1/2 inches, folding knife with a blade that locks into place, razor with an unguarded blade, taser, or stun gun, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 244.5, any instrument that expels a metallic projectile such as a BB or a pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun, upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
Penal Code 626.10(b) Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, a full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in this state, a person summoned by any officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while the person is actually engaged in assisting any officer, or a member of the military forces of this state or the United States who is engaged in the performance of hisor her duties, who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, or knife having a fixed blade longer than 2 1/2 inches upon the grounds of, or within, any private university, the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
32Penal Code 626.10(a)(2) Any person, except a duly appointed peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, a full-time paid peace officer of another state or the federal government who is carrying out official duties while in this state, a person summoned by any officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while the person is actually engaged in assisting any officer, or a member of the military forces of this state or the United States who is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, who brings or possesses a razor blade or a box cutter upon the grounds of, or within, any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12,inclusive, is guilty of a public offense, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year.
33See, e.g., Federal Land and Facilities, United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.
3415 USC1242 - Introduction, manufacture for introduction, transportation or distribution in interstate commerce; penalty Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
15 USC 1241 defines “interstate commerce" as commerce between any State, Territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.
3515 USC 1243 - Manufacture, sale, or possession within specific jurisdictions; penalty Whoever, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), manufactures, sells, or possesses any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
3715 USC § 1242 - Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
39California Penal Code 245(a(1)-- Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm or by any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment.
41See, e.g., People v. Mitchell (2012) 209 Cal.App.4th 1364, 148 Cal.Rptr.3d 33 (dirk and dagger statute does not run afoul of the Second Amendment because it is narrowly tailored to serve the important governmental interest of preventing exposure to the risk of surprise attacks and does not burden the right to bear arms in self-defense beyond what is reasonably necessary to serve that interest, even if the restrictions prevent instantaneous use of a knife in self-defense.).
42See, e.g., People v. Rubalcava, (2000) 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 735, 23 Cal.4th 322.
43People v. Grubb (1965), 63 Cal.2d 614, 47 Cal.Rptr. 772.
44Same (“The Legislature thus decrees as criminal the possession of ordinarily harmless objects when the circumstances of possession demonstrate an immediate atmosphere of danger.”).
46See, e.g., People v. Barrios (1992) 7 Cal.App.4th 501, 8 Cal.Rptr.2d 666, reviewing prior case law (Court of Appeal cases have split over the applicability of the Grubb language to concealed dirks or daggers); People v. Gonzales (1995) 32 Cal.App.4th 229, 38 Cal.Rptr.2d 52 (holding it is not the use of the weapon being proscribed by statute, but its possession that matters).
47See, e.g., People v. Mowatt (1997) 56 Cal.App.4th 713, 65 Cal.Rptr.2d 722 comparing the 1994 and pre-1994 versions of Penal Code 12020 (“It is immediately apparent that the 1993 Legislature chose a considerably more restrictive definition than the courts did. Instead of including “any straight knife…capable of inflicting death,” which “may consist of any weapon fitted primarily for stabbing” [People v. Ruiz, supra, 88 Cal.App. at p. 504, italics added], the Legislature decided a “dirk or dagger” must be primarily designed as a stabbing weapon, meant to kill or to grievously wound a victim.).
48Compare Stats.1993, ch. 357, § 1, p. 2155, with Stats.1995, ch. 128, § 2, italics added.
49See, Sen. Rules Com., 3d reading analysis of Assem. Bill No. 1222 (1995-1996 Reg. Sess.) as amended May 31, 1995, p. 4; see also, Assem. Com. on Public Safety, analysis of Assem. Bill No. 1222 (1995-1996 Reg. Sess.) as introduced Feb. 23, 1995, p. 2.
50See Sen. Com. on Criminal Procedure, Analysis of Assem. Bill. No. 1222 (1995-1996 Reg. Sess.) as amended May 31, 1995, pp. 3, 5-6.
51Same at p. 6, emphasis added.
52People v. Mitchell, note 37.
54Senate Bill 274 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) § 2.
55Assem. Bill No. 202 (1957 Reg. Sess.) § 1.
56Assem. Amend. Bill No. 202 (1957 Reg. Sess.) March 13, 1957.
57Assem. Amend. Bill No. 202 (1957 Reg. Sess.) March 18, 1957.
58Stats.1957, ch. 355, § 1, p. 999.
59Stats.1959, ch. 355, § 1, p. 2278.
60People ex rel. Mautner v. Quattrone (1989), 211 Cal.App.3d 1389, 260 Cal.Rptr. 44.
67Senate Bill No. 274 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) April 3, 2001.
(a) Common and special purpose knives. Imported knives with a blade style designed for a primary utilitarian use, as defined in § 12.95(c), shall be admitted to unrestricted entry provided that in condition as entered the imported knife is not a switchblade knife as defined in § 12.95(a)(1). Among admissible common and special purpose knives are jackknives and similar standard pocketknives, special purpose knives, scout knives, and other knives equipped with one or more blades of such single edge nonweapon styles as clip, skinner, pruner, sheep foot, spey, coping, razor, pen, and cuticle.
(b) Weapons with fixed blades. Importations of certain articles having a fixed unexposed or exposed blade are not within the prohibition of 15 U.S.C. 1241 through 1245. However, upon release by Customs, possession of these admissible articles which include such weapons as sword canes, camel whips, swords, sheath knives, machetes and similar devices that may be capable of use as weapons may be in violation of State or municipal laws.
(c) Utilitarian use. "Utilitarian use" includes but is not necessarily limited to use: (1) For a customary household purpose; (2) For usual personal convenience, including grooming; (3) In the practice of a profession, trade, or commercial or employment activity; (4) In the performance of a craft or hobby; (5) In the course of such outdoor pursuits as hunting and fishing; and (6) In scouting activities.
69See, e.g., Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2892, Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010.
70See, e.g., Switchblade law opponents cut in Hill fight, Washington Times, June 27, 2009.
72People v. Mitchell, note 37.

References: v. 
 § 1242
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 1
 § 2
 v. 
 § 2
 § 1
 § 1
 § 1
 v. 
 § 12
 § 12
 v.