Are butterfly knives legal in California?

Question

Hi, I'm think about buying a butterfly knife. Is it legal to buy one online, and have it in my house? I would also like to know if "Training Butterfly Knives" are also illegal in California. Because all I wanna do is flip it around.

Answer 1

California considers balisongs (butterfly knives) as "switchblades," BUT it allows those with blades under 2 inches.  Because of this law, there are several companies located within California that manufacture them with 1.9" blades.

A dull training knife technically still counts as a knife because of some practical considerations:  A police officer who sees a training knife has no way to know it is a training knife from a distance.  He may figure out it's dull AFTER your already in handcuffs.  Further, it can still be used to menace and/or rob people because they will not know either.

However, this legal restriction only applies if you: "possesses in the passenger's or driver's area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public, carries upon his or her person and every person who sells, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or gives to any other person."

So technically inside your house or the dojo is legal per se even if the knife is longer.

Answer 2

if butterfly knives are outlawed, only outlaw butterflies will have knives.