san francisco knife law
- Thread starter lamepro
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Folders of any blade length can be carried, best clip showing so it's not considered concealed. Fixed blades can also be legally carried, but are supposed to be carried open and not concealed, which in a city is where a pocket knife would get carried anyway. There's no country left in the SF Bay Area to speak of. I carry my fixed blades on hikes and camping trips, the rest of the time it's folders.
On knife types: Autos with blades longer than 2" are out. Assisted versions with a detent like the Benchmade Nitrous models are fine though.
Hope that helps.
On knife types: Autos with blades longer than 2" are out. Assisted versions with a detent like the Benchmade Nitrous models are fine though.
Hope that helps.
Relevant laws are as follows (click cite titles for links to official law):
Article 17, Section 1292 of SF Municipal Code
It is illegal to loiter while carrying a weapon. In this statute, weapons include knives with blades over 3" and spring type knives (see next part below for these) and many other implements of destruction. Note that CA law does not have a length limit, and this length limit technically only applies if you are loitering (a wobbly subject by itself).
Article 17, Section 1292
No switchblades at all, period. This goes beyond CA law which normally allows for switchblades under 2" in length. Furthermore the law bans "any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device." This would seem, in my non-CA local, non-lawyer opinion, to also ban assisted openers.
Article 17, Section 1293
Summary - You cannot give or sell ANY knife to a minor unless you are their parent or guardian. Note that there is nothing against possession though.
Article 4, Section 4.01
You cannot carry various weapons on park property without permission, no matter whether they are concealed or not. This includes fixed blades ("Dirks" and "bowies") but not folders, which seem to be ok.
Naturally, you are subject to normal CA law as well:
Fixed blades have to be carried openly and not in places that freak people out. Folders of any length are allowed to be carried concealed provided they are not autos or balisongs (normally outside SF, these can be under 2" and still be legal)
Just one clarification on pocket-clips in general: Pocket-clip showing can be consider concealed or open depending on which gives the cop an excuse. In LA, open carry of folders over 3" is the crime, so pocket-clip showing is Open Carry and illegal. In other areas where concealed is a crime, pocket-clip showing is considered concealed.
Article 17, Section 1292 of SF Municipal Code
It is illegal to loiter while carrying a weapon. In this statute, weapons include knives with blades over 3" and spring type knives (see next part below for these) and many other implements of destruction. Note that CA law does not have a length limit, and this length limit technically only applies if you are loitering (a wobbly subject by itself).
Article 17, Section 1292
No switchblades at all, period. This goes beyond CA law which normally allows for switchblades under 2" in length. Furthermore the law bans "any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device." This would seem, in my non-CA local, non-lawyer opinion, to also ban assisted openers.
Article 17, Section 1293
Summary - You cannot give or sell ANY knife to a minor unless you are their parent or guardian. Note that there is nothing against possession though.
Article 4, Section 4.01
You cannot carry various weapons on park property without permission, no matter whether they are concealed or not. This includes fixed blades ("Dirks" and "bowies") but not folders, which seem to be ok.
Naturally, you are subject to normal CA law as well:
Fixed blades have to be carried openly and not in places that freak people out. Folders of any length are allowed to be carried concealed provided they are not autos or balisongs (normally outside SF, these can be under 2" and still be legal)
Just one clarification on pocket-clips in general: Pocket-clip showing can be consider concealed or open depending on which gives the cop an excuse. In LA, open carry of folders over 3" is the crime, so pocket-clip showing is Open Carry and illegal. In other areas where concealed is a crime, pocket-clip showing is considered concealed.
shunsui
Gold Member
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- Aug 12, 2008
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Bryant: Stop right where you are! You know the score, pal. You're not cop, you're little people!
Blade Runner
On a brighter note, here's another synopsis:
http://www.ninehundred.net/~equalccw/knifelaw.html
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Hi to all! is it safe to put a knife properly secrure inside the checked in luggage going to the airport? I am asking a friend to bring my knife here in the philippines. i have read some guidelines from the TSA. but i dont know about the California law about bringing a knife. by the way the knife is esee 6. it will be use for survival training and bushcrafting here in the philippines