I have a butterfly knife thats not a real knife inside, it is a very dull butter knife with no point. Since his is not a real knife, I was wondering if it still considered illegal. Part of me says it wouldn't be, but it is conceiled. I live in California (knife laws are probably different.) (Also I know its not illegal to collect, but I mean if I were to walk around with it. Thanks :)
2007-09-12 13:05:34 · 5 answers · asked by Soapie 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It's not really a knife, its like a piece of metal.
2007-09-12 13:52:00 · update #1
I would not carry a butterfly knife or a butter knife in my pocket regardless.
Why have I not seen this longer than the palm law yet, sources please? Does the law specify your hand or the Officer's? Sounds like an ambiguity. If it is a local rule or ordinance then please so specify.
The law makes no mention of the sharpness per se, but the law does mention, “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.”
My gut is telling me that your butterfly butter knife is considered illegal in California under Penal Code sections 12020 and 653k.
*/End of Line.
2007-09-13 23:09:37 · answer #1 · answered by Superman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every answer here is wrong in some part (except, maybe, #1--though I have not personally seen any knife-toting butterflies). Butterfly knives are regulated by Penal Code section 653k. They are legal if the blade is less than 2 inches long. Otherwise, they are illegal to possess in public, or in the passenger area of a car, whether or not concealed. They are also illegal to carry upon the person (which seems to apply in private areas as well as public). It is also illegal to sell or give such knives away. (To get to your question, it is not illegal to import them, so I suppose it could be argued that a sale in another state followed by shipment to CA is not illegal, if the merchant wants to take that chance.) Levindis error was in claiming that all doubled bladed knives are illegal to possess--they are not. Double bladed knives (indeed almost any fixed blade knife) could be a dirk or dagger, but under California State law those knives are only illegal to conceal, not to possess openly.
2016-05-18 01:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would still be illegal. The cops (if found) would make it out to be a terrible crime and yes, you would get into trouble for it. I had a "dull" pocket knife about 6 years ago, but since it was longer than the officer's palm, he considered it a "deadly weapon" and called it illegal.
Point being, everyone has different criteria, but I wouldn't chance it if I were you!
2007-09-12 13:16:51 · answer #3 · answered by Peachy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Butterfly knives and switchblades are illegal in CA. Also the blade cannot be longer than the palm of your hand. If you're walking around with a knife like that in your pocket, it is considered a concealed weapon.
2007-09-13 08:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by Ethan's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The law makes no mention of the
sharpness of the knife.
Technically it's illegal to carry.
Cops have no sense of humor where
weapons laws are concerned.
2007-09-12 13:42:04 · answer #5 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋