Can I legally carry a screw driver on me?

T

twoblink

Joined
Apr 26, 2001
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Sorry, have no idea where to ask, so I figured the blades forum might provide answers.

Does anybody know, what the state law is for California and Nevada about ccw'ing a screw driver?

Is a screw driver considered a "knife"? Are there size/length restrictions? Which department would have juristiction over this?

Thanks!
 
In California, a concealed screwdriver can be considered to fit the definition of a concealed weapon.

"As used in this section, a "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." Section 12020, CA Penal code
 
In Canada, a screwdriver could be a weapon, but not a knife. A knife could be a weapon, but not necessarily.
Based on that section, it looks like a screwdriver could be a knife - if your judge is a fool. So I guess the chances aren't bad ;)
Actually, someone would have to know the caselaw in your jurisdiction to give a serious answer. But I'd be surprised if in California a screwdriver couldn't be considered a concealed or dangerous weapon, depending on circumstances and intent. It proibably doesn't have to be a "knife" to be proscribed.
If you are carrying, you probably should have a "legitimate" reason. Screwing a screw rather than a person might be one.
 
I've been told that concealing a large screwdriver may be considered possession of burglary tools if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
So in LA, basically..

You can't ccw a gun because they won't give you a ccw for it, because then you'd be able to protect yourself with it..

You can't ccw a knife to protect yourself, because it's illegal..

You can't ccw a screw driver to protect yourself because it's either a burglar tool, or a dirk..

So basically.. Socialism doesn't allow anybody but the state and criminals to carry weapons..

Gotcha.. :barf: :grumpy: :mad:
 
Plumber576 said:
Hey, it's California, what did you expect?
Click to expand...

Actually, California's knife laws are better than most. You can carry any size folder concealed, just not a fixed blade.
 
I have found I can carry any type of knife or contraband CONCEALED as long as I don't get caught. Until the point I get stupid or become victim of random circumstance I am a law abiding citizen. Really truely.
If you are lucky, cool. If you are not lucky (or smart) the problem arises when you get caught with whatever you are carrying and the law says 'Bad!'.
If you are prepared to accept the consequences and not whine about how unfair it is, have at it. Just be prepared for the echo.
It is all a matter of situational awareness.
 
I think that to say socialism is responsible for the bizzare weapon laws in california is improper. Vermont is the most socialist state in the country, and it has THE MOST relaxed weapon laws in the country and, I daresay, most of the world. You don't need a license to own or carry a gun (Class III I believe you do) and there is no blade length specified for concealed knives. In fact, most of the states up here in the evil liberal northeast have pretty good knife and gun laws with just a couple exceptions. So it's not a function of socialism but rather a function of california being kinda wierd in general. Don't forget about Kansas and Nebraska, which are known for being on the conservative side, don't let anyone carry guns at all and they both have kinda screwy knife laws, too. It's easy for people to hate california, but california isn't the worst.

- Chris


edit: and why carry a screwdriver for self defense anyway? Does california allow pepper spray (that's not rhetorical, I honestly don't know)? There are much better weapons that you can carry legally in california than a screwdriver.
 
TITLE 16 CRIMES AND OFFENSES\CHAPTER 7 DAMAGE TO AND INTRUSION UPON PROPERTY\Article 2 Criminal Trespass and Damage to Property\Part 1 General Provisions\§ 16-7-20. Possession of tools for the commission of crime

§ 16-7-20. Possession of tools for the commission of crime
(a) A person commits the offense of possession of tools for the commission of crime when he has in his possession any tool, explosive, or other device commonly used in the commission of burglary, theft, or other crime with the intent to make use thereof in the commission of a crime.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of possession of tools for the commission of crime shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

If your at the wrong place and time.....
 
twoblink said:
So in LA, basically..

You can't ccw a gun because they won't give you a ccw for it, because then you'd be able to protect yourself with it..

You can't ccw a knife to protect yourself, because it's illegal..

You can't ccw a screw driver to protect yourself because it's either a burglar tool, or a dirk..

So basically.. Socialism doesn't allow anybody but the state and criminals to carry weapons..

Gotcha.. :barf: :grumpy: :mad:
Click to expand...

That's why I moved to Texas!
 
Without knowing where you might want to “carry” and looking up the relevant city ordinances I can say generally that it depends. If you plan to carry a cabinetmaker's oval-handled screwdriver in a quick-release harness concealed up your sleeve, the answer is NO. If you are wearing a tool belt and working with the screwdriver then the answer is yes. South Pasadena has put its municipal code on the web at:

http://www.codemanage.com/southpasadena/ Ord. No. 1214, § 1; Ord. No. 1983, § 48 (part) says: No person, except a peace officer, shall carry upon his person in plain view any snap-blade or spring-blade knife regardless of the length of the blade, or any knife with a blade three inches or more in length.
 
dsvirsky said:
Actually, California's knife laws are better than most. You can carry any size folder concealed, just not a fixed blade.
Click to expand...

dsvirsky's right on this one. Any size folder. So if you wanted to carry a folder with a 12"+ blade you could. Not very practical though, I'd imagine.
 
Hesparus said:
Vermont is the most socialist state in the country, and it has THE MOST relaxed weapon laws in the country and, I daresay, most of the world. You don't need a license to own or carry a gun (Class III I believe you do) and there is no blade length specified for concealed knives.
Click to expand...
Wow, and I thought Arizona was a free state. I think the only area that VT beats AZ is no permit required to CCW a handgun. AZ has no limit on switchblades, but fixed blades aren't concealable without CCW. Both are the top 2 it looks like though. Oregon would be a close third. I guess in the end it depends on which weather you prefer. :cool:
 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but New Hampshire's excellent, too. We can't carry switchblades or daggers, but we can carry balisongs, there's no specified blade limit for fixed blades (no case law, either) and anyone with $10 and no felonies can get a concealed handgun lisence. New Hampshire is the easiest state (with the exception of the states that don't require a carry lisence) to carry a handgun in. Incadently, New Hampshire also has the lowest level of gun violence in the country. North Dakota is second, but their laws are a little more strict.

- Chris
 
California has very good knife laws. As mentioned earlier any blade length folder with the exception of balisongs and 2"+ automatics can be carried either open or concealed. You can carry a fixed blade but it must be open carry.

Personally I don't see what the big deal is on restricting balisongs and autos. A knife with a thumbstud can be deployed faster than a bali and probably just as fast as an auto.
 
Yeah, I have no problem with the restrictions on autos or balisongs, either. I don't like it, but balisongs and autos are basically just toys, anyway. The only reason I'd ever carry a balisong is if I wanted to impress someone ;)
But seriously, the laws that I have the problem with are the fixed blade laws. A spyderco is just a hair slower than a fixed blade. Fixed blades are more useful, and I can't make folders :mad:
There's something about carrying a blade that you've made yourself that makes you feel like a man.

- Chris
 
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