Took me a little while to pull up the relevant California law, but here it is. If your not interested in the legalese just skip to the end.
California Penal Code section 12020 says in part that any person who possesses "any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slungshot, billy, sandclub, sap, or sandbag, . . . or who carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison...."
In regards to sticks, the key is the prohibition against weapons known as a "billy." The California Supreme Court has held that a broken baseball bat with a taped handle, which the defendant admitted was being kept in his car as a weapon, was an illegal billy. The court explained that that possession of the sometimes-useful objects can be illegal if the circumstances, including the time, place, destination of the owner, and alterations to the object indicate that the person possessed it as a weapon. "Accordingly the statute would encompass the possession of a table leg, in one sense an obviously useful item, when it is detached from the table and carried at night in a 'tough' neighborhood to the scene of a riot. On the other hand the section would not penalize the Little Leaguer at bat in a baseball game." (People v. Grubb (1965) 63 Cal.2d 614)
In a more recent case a California Court of Appeal held that a person carrying a padlock on the end of chain for purposes of self defense was in possession of an illegal "slungshot." Again circumstances and the admission that it was intended as a weapon made the difference between a legal and illegal object. "Intent to use a weapon is not an element of the crime of weapon possession. Proof of possession alone is sufficient. . . However, if the object is not a weapon per se, but an instrument with ordinary innocent uses, the prosecution must prove that the object was possessed as a weapon. The only way to meet that burden is by evidence indicating that the possessor would use the object for a dangerous, not harmless, purpose." (People v. Fannin (2001) 91 Cal.App.4th 653.)
Other courts have held that police batons and collapsible or telescoping batons are also prohibited for civilian use as a billy.
So where does that leave escrima sticks? If used in a martial arts class, they are arguably sporting equipment, if carried to a rumble, they are arguably an illegal billy, if found in your car it is a matter of circumstances and demonstrated intent.
Just one person's opinion. You can look up the law yourself at findlaw.com
Best regards - Argyll
PS In regards to switchblades, the California Penal Code 635k was amended to make clear that "'Switchblade knife' does not include a knife that is designed to open with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade."
A sword would best be locked in a trunk, and only carried to and from a class. Sticks are a grey area. There is case law saying that a table leg could be an illegal weapon if carried with intent. Keeping it out of ready use when in public is probably the way to go.
