§ 1293. PROHIBITING THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF KNIVES TO MINORS OTHER THAN BY PARENTS OR GUARDIANS, EXCEPT FOR TABLE KNIVES AND KNIVES CURRENTLY PROHIBITED FROM SALE UNDER STATE LAW; PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.

(a) Definitions. "Knife" includes, but is not limited to: any instrument with a cutting blade, made of steel or other similar durable cutting surface, capable of inflicting bodily harm.

(b) Ban on the Sale of Knives to Minors. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article to the contrary or any type of knife already proscribed under California Penal Code Sections 653(k) and 12020(a), no person shall knowingly sell, offer for sale, expose for sale or transfer to any minor, any type of knife as defined in Subsection (a), other than table knives. This prohibition shall not apply to the sale or transfer of knives defined in Subsection (a) by a parent or guardian to their own child.

(c) Penalties. Any person violating any provision of this Article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor or an infraction. The complaint charging such violation shall specify whether the violation is a misdemeanor or infraction, which decision shall be that of the District Attorney. If charged as an infraction, upon conviction, the violator shall be punished by a fine of not less than $125 or more than $250 for each provision violated. If charged as a misdemeanor, upon conviction, the violator shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $600 for each provision violated or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In any accusatory pleading charging a violation of this Article, if the defendant has been previously convicted of a violation of this Article, each such previous violation and conviction shall be charged in the accusatory pleading. Any person violating any provision of this Article a second time within a thirty day period shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $650 and not more than $750 for each provision violated, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person violating any provision of this Article a third time, and each subsequent time, within a thirty day period shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $750 and not more than $1000 for each provision violated, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Added by Ord. 239-93, App. 8/4/93)