switchblades for cops in ca, exemption?

MORIMOTOM

MORIMOTOM

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Oct 29, 2005
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does anyone know of an exemption for law enforcement officers to carry a automatic knife in california?
 
There is not an exemtion for LEO for automatic knives, as far as I understand.

Just had a discussion about this down at a local gun store with the store owner and a county sheriff. The sheriff said there is not an exemtion for LEO's, even while on-duty. That being said, he did say that some in our area do carry them, and he doesn't ever see where they will have any problems for it.

YMMV,
Jax
 
thanks for the response. you would think there would be an exemption somewhere, but i couldn't find one either. i guess like many things, they are not illegal to purchase or own, just carry or use.

the only problem i can imagine would be if the auto were used as a weapon. even a pd would have a field day with that in ct.
 
Active military and LEOs can purchase and carry (on duty) automatic knives. So can fire and EMS. However, they must have authorization on dept letterhead to do so. The vast majority of CA depts do not allow thier officers to carry them. But they could if they so chose.
 
Hey R.W.

This has come up before without satisfactory resolution. I absolutely agree as a practical matter, and not being a current LEO have never bothered to looked into it myself. To help our LEO readers who want to carry on the job, can you point to an authorizing statute?

Best regards,

Argyll
 
that is my issue. 653k pc only limits switchblade carry. nowhere in the penal code was i able to find an exemption, nor where co-workers.
 
It is under CPC 832 P.O.S.T. standards if I remember my acad days. There is a list of autherized tools for law enforcement officers. This is like the baton issue. CPC12020 outlaws batons but another section of the CPCs allow them for LEOs. You will not always find exemptions in the same place as the main law.

You will also find an exemption for LEOs in the Federal Switchblade Interstate Commerce Act.

Military follows the UCMJ, which allows troops to carry autos with permission from thier commanders.

I am headed off to do a law search and see if I can't come up with the exact CPCs.
 
Here is one that would allow LEOs to carry autos.

12002. (a) Nothing in this chapter prohibits police officers,
special police officers, peace officers, or law enforcement officers
from carrying any wooden club, baton, or any equipment authorized for
the enforcement of law or ordinance in any city or county.
Click to expand...
 
The above law was the only thing I could find during a quick (30min) search. However it is enough to allow LEOs to carry autos with dept approval. The way it is written would allow LEOs to carry Stinger Missiles is the dept approved.

Th phrase "any equipment" allows any equipment.
 
Good find. It would appear to be a catch-all for any otherwise prohibited weapon including saps, nunchucks (there are police versions), etc.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
i couldn't find anything in pc 832, perhaps you will have better luck. as for 12002, it seems implied the exemption only refers to items described by 12020. maybe not
 
So far I have only seen nunchucks carried by Anaheim PD, but I hear that they might be catching on. The LEOs have a nifty numeritical name for them that slips my mind at the moment.
 
many pieces of equipment carried are not available to civilians. maybe not covered by 12020 but a few: less lethal munitions, flash bangs, short barrelled shotguns, ballistic vests/helmets, etc. it seems to me that autos are ignored.
 
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