🐻 California Knife Laws
Overview
California does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Open carry is legal, but concealed carry of certain knives is restricted. There is no general blade length restriction. Disguised knives and ballistic knives are prohibited; switchblades and balisongs / butterfly knives have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Open carry of most knives is legal. A knife carried in a sheath worn openly on the waist is not considered concealed (§ 20200). No blade length limit for open carry. Switchblades with blades 2 inches or longer and generally prohibited weapons cannot be carried at all, even openly.
Statute: § 20200
No general blade length limit. However, switchblades with blades 2 inches or longer are illegal (§ 21510). Schools prohibit knives with blades over 2.5 inches (§ 626.10). Public buildings prohibit fixed/locking blades over 4 inches (§ 171b). Local ordinances may impose additional limits.
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Restricted | Switchblades with blades 2 inches or longer are illegal to carry, possess in a vehicle, or sell (§ 21510). Switchblades under 2 inches are legal. Assisted-opening knives with a thumb stud and detent mechanism are explicitly exempt from the switchblade definition. |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Restricted | Butterfly knives are classified as switchblades under § 17235 because they can be opened with a flip of the wrist. Same 2-inch blade length rule applies: under 2 inches legal, 2 inches or longer illegal. |
| Disguised Knives | Illegal | Disguised knives are generally prohibited weapons under § 16590. This includes belt buckle knives, lipstick case knives, cane swords, air gauge knives, writing pen knives, and undetectable knives. Manufacturing, selling, or possessing any of these is a wobbler offense. |
| Assisted-Opening | Legal | Assisted-opening knives that use thumb pressure on the blade or a thumb stud, and have a detent mechanism resisting opening, are explicitly exempt from the switchblade definition under § 17235. Statute: § 17235 |
| Ballistic Knives | Illegal | Ballistic knives are generally prohibited weapons. Manufacturing, importing, selling, or possessing any ballistic knife is illegal regardless of blade size (§ 21110). |
Relevant Statutes(21)
- § 16340—Cane Sword Definition
- § 16420—Dagger Definition
- § 16430—Deadly Weapon Definition
- § 16470—Dirk and Dagger Definition
- § 16590—Generally Prohibited Weapons
- § 17235—Switchblade Knife Definition
- § 20200—Open Carry Sheath Exception
- § 16220—Ballistic Knife Definition
- § 20310—Air Gauge Knife Prohibition
- § 20410—Belt Buckle Knife Prohibition
- § 20510—Cane Sword Prohibition
- § 20610—Lipstick Case Knife Prohibition
- § 20810—Undetectable Knife Prohibition
- § 20910—Writing Pen Knife Prohibition
- § 21110—Ballistic Knife Prohibition
- § 21310—Concealed Dirk or Dagger Prohibition
- § 21510—Switchblade Possession Prohibition
- 626.10—Weapons on School Grounds
- 171b—Weapons in Public Buildings
- § 171.5.—Weapons at Airports and Terminals
- § 171.7—Weapons in Transit Facilities
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional restrictions beyond state law. Always verify with official state sources before making decisions about knife carry or ownership. KnifeInformer is not a law firm — consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.
