East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms, phrases and words shall be construed as follows:

"Close proximity and control" means within close reach of a person so that they may gain control of the weapon before a child or unauthorized person could access the weapon.

"Dangerous weapon" means and includes, but shall not be limited to the following: Any knife with a blade three inches or more in length, any ice pick, awl, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or similar sharp stabbing tool, any straight-edged razor, razor blade fitted to a handle, razor with an unguarded blade, or any cutting, stabbing or bludgeoning weapon or device intended to be used as a club or capable of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

"Firearm" means any device designed to be used as a weapon or modified to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion, provided that the term "firearm" shall not include an "antique firearm" as defined in Section 921(a)(16) of Title 18 of the United States Code.

"Firearm safety device" means a device other than a locked container that locks and is designed to prevent children and unauthorized users from firing a firearm. The device may be installed on a firearm, be incorporated into the design of the firearm, or prevent access to the firearm. The device shall be listed on the California Department of Justice's roster of approved firearms safety devices and that is identified as appropriate for that firearm by reference to either the manufacturer and model of the firearm or to the physical characteristics of the firearm that match those listed on the roster for use with the device under California Penal Code Section 23655(d), as amended from time to time.

"Locked container" means a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device as defined by California Penal Code Section 16850, as amended from time to time or is listed on the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms roster of approved firearm safety devices.

"Public place" means and includes, but shall not be limited to, the following: Any public street, way, sidewalk, alley, public park, beach, recreational area, school, public building or place of public resort, any place where an athletic event, dance or other such gathering to which the public or a number thereof are admitted, and any place where alcoholic beverages are sold.

"Residence" means any structure intended or used for human habitation, including, but not limited to, houses, condominiums, rooms, in-law units, motels, hotels, single room occupancy units, time shares, and recreational and other vehicles where human habitation occurs.

"Switch-blade knives" means and includes, but shall not be limited to, the following: All spring-blade knives, snap-blade knives, or other similar knives of which any blade thereof, regardless of length, is released automatically by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or is released by any type of mechanism whatsoever.

(Prior code § 4-4.101; Ord. of 5-2-2023(1), § 2)

No person shall sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, keep, carry, possess, loan, transfer or give to any other person any switch-blade knife.

(Prior code § 4-4.102)

It is unlawful for any person having in his possession or immediate physical control, whether the same is concealed or visible, any dangerous weapon, to loaf or loiter upon any public place, or to wander about from place to place with no lawful business thereby to perform, or to hide, lurk or loiter upon or about the premises of another.

(Prior code § 4-4.103)

It is unlawful for any person having within his possession or immediate physical control, whether the same is concealed or visible, any dangerous weapon, to engage in any fight or to participate in any riot, uprising or other type of disorderly conduct upon the premises of another or upon any public place.

(Prior code § 4-4.104)

The provisions of Section 9.24.020 and Section 9.24.030 shall not be deemed to prohibit the possession or control of ordinary tools or equipment carried in good faith for the purpose of honest work, trade or business, or for use in a legitimate sport or recreation.

Nothing in this article shall prohibit police officers, special police officers, peace officers, or other law enforcement officers from carrying any wooden club, baton, or any equipment authorized by the properly constituted authorities for the enforcement of law in the city.

(Prior code § 4-4.105)