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Do you think this falls under disguised weapons? Looks pretty visible to me. It is a CA legal auto that snaps into a belt buckle frame.
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CA belt buckle knives
- Thread starter Charlie Mike
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In the California Penal code, PC 12020 mentions a belt buckle knife. It is our opinion that this law was written concerning the spade like weapon which is made as an integral part of a belt buckle. We believe that is why the word integral is used to describe it, when you pulled the knife out, your belt fell off. Ours is a completely different design, which is really a belt buckle which is a holder for a knife.
The beginning of the code states that "all belt buckle knives are illegal". This is the part of the code that most police officers will remember. The code goes on later to define a belt buckle knife as having a blade length of over 2 1/2 inches and also being an integral part of the buckle. Our belt buckle knife is neither of these. This is the part of the code that you should know and carry and also know the meaning of the word integral. Not all officers are familiar with the latter part of the code.You can find the code at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov
The beginning of the code states that "all belt buckle knives are illegal". This is the part of the code that most police officers will remember. The code goes on later to define a belt buckle knife as having a blade length of over 2 1/2 inches and also being an integral part of the buckle. Our belt buckle knife is neither of these. This is the part of the code that you should know and carry and also know the meaning of the word integral. Not all officers are familiar with the latter part of the code.You can find the code at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov
There was a discussion here awhile back on "belt-buckle" knives and CA law. I had a talk with my lawyer regarding what exactly defined an illegal buckle-knife under CA law. The way he explained it to me was as follows- If the knife and buckle are one piece (integral) and the knife is not readily distinguishable as a knife, then the knife is illegal. But if it's merely a folding-knife attached to the buckle, then that would be no different than a folder clipped in a pocket or carried in a belt sheath, because it's just an openly-carried folding knife.
Of course some parts of CA have blade length limits on openly carried folders (like Los Angeles). But even if the blade in a knife like the one you pictured were longer than the legal limit, as long as it were covered by a shirt it would be concealed and legal.
Naturally my lawyer gave me the usual disclaimer that it's always possible for some LEO or prosecutor to interpret the "belt-buckle" knife law differently. But the law specifically refers to the knife as being "integral" to the buckle, as in "one piece".
EDIT- It looks like you answered your own question
Of course some parts of CA have blade length limits on openly carried folders (like Los Angeles). But even if the blade in a knife like the one you pictured were longer than the legal limit, as long as it were covered by a shirt it would be concealed and legal.
Naturally my lawyer gave me the usual disclaimer that it's always possible for some LEO or prosecutor to interpret the "belt-buckle" knife law differently. But the law specifically refers to the knife as being "integral" to the buckle, as in "one piece".
EDIT- It looks like you answered your own question
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Cool. I'll wear it openly!