Limit Urged on Sizes of Knives Worn in the Open

Concerned about gang-related stabbings, the Los Angeles Police Commission voted Tuesday to make it a misdemeanor for anyone in the city to openly carry knives with blades longer than two inches.

The commission’s action, which still must be approved by the City Council before it can become law, exempts individuals who carry knives on the job, including construction workers, as well as those who use bladed instruments for “lawful recreation,” including campers.

Those who use knives in “recognized religious practices” also would be exempt.

Legal Activitiy

“Because adult gang members are well aware that they can lawfully carry knives openly, they do so, and incidents of gang-related knifings persist,” Police Chief Daryl F. Gates said in a letter to commissioners. “The wearing of knives in some locales may be commonplace or even necessary; however, in an urban area such as Los Angeles, the contrary is true.”

Except for switch-blades, California law currently imposes few limits on the size or type of knife that may be openly worn in public. However, carrying a concealed knife is considered illegal.

In 1985, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance making it a misdemeanor for anyone to sell, give or lend a minor a fixed- or locking-blade knife with a blade more than two inches in length.

The proposed law, which would cover both fixed and folding-blade knives, carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $500 fine.

Since early 1985, there have been at least 45 fatal stabbings involving Los Angeles gang members, according to police statistics. In 1985, knives accounted for 25.5% of the city’s homicides, 17.6% of its aggravated assaults and 15.4% of its armed robberies.

Cmdr. Lorne C. Kramer, the Police Department’s anti-street gang coordinator, told commissioner members that enforcement of the proposed knife law, as written, would require officers to exercise discretion in deciding when a knife was or was not being carried for “legitimate” reasons.

Kramer’s observation appeared to rankle board President Robert L. Talcott, who questioned whether any law should be allowed so broad an interpretation. Even so, Talcott voted for the proposal, as did the two other commissioners present.

Equally stringent laws already are on the books in other major U.S. cities. In New York City, for example, a 3-year-old ordinance makes it illegal for anyone to openly carry a knife with a blade longer than four inches.

In other action Tuesday, the Police Commission endorsed a Police Department proposal that would make it a crime for anyone to solicit drugs from street dealers. Similar to existing laws that punish those who solicit sex from prostitutes, the drug-solicitation proposal would be included in a package of legislative recommendations to be reviewed by city officials and ultimately forwarded to the state Assembly.