When it comes to knife legality it is pretty challenging to navigate the flurry of laws and regulations in various states within the U.S. Each state has its own set of rules as to what knives you can own, what knives you can carry, and how you can carry them.

KPL has put together this quick reference guide to help you understand knife laws so you can ensure you are not potentially putting yourself in a legal predicament in your own state or while traveling.

Note - This is not intended to be legal advice, and can only be used as a reference tool.


What Kind of Knives are we talking about?

In this article, we will be covering pocket knives, including manual folders, automatics, assisted opening knives, as well as general tool use and outdoor fixed blades. For some great information regarding the laws and regulations around balisongs, check out this article by our balisong expert Barkhandle


Understanding Preemption

Preemption is an important concept in knife law, which basically means that all knife laws are made at a state level. That means states with knife law preemption restrict the ability of local governments to make their own knife laws. This greatly simplifies things for us because we can simply look at the state law and know what we can own and carry.

Unfortunately, preemption is not in effect in all of the states, and many of those states can be confusing because certain cities will have their own rules and regulations. While I won’t cover individual cities, you can check out the Knife Rights Legal Blade app to help you out.


States that Currently Have Knife Law Preemption 

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • West Virginia 
  • Wisconsin

There are several states that do not have preemption, however their state constitutions act in the same manner:

  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Mississippi
  • New Mexico
  • Vermont
  • Wyoming

Outside of these listed states, it is important to understand that some local jurisdictions may have different knife laws than the rest of the state. This is most common in large cities and highly populated areas.



Automatic Knife Laws

Automatic knives have long been a topic of controversy in the United States, becoming very unpopular in the 1950s when Hollywood portrayed them as dangerous weapons used by gangs and criminals. This led to the passing of the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958, which bans the commercial sale of automatic knives across state lines.

Though automatic knives got a bad rap for years, many states have begun to realize that these are valuable tools rather than dangerous weapons, and they have become legalized in many states (with restrictions in some cases).

Keep in mind that if there are no restrictions listed here, automatic knives will fall under the general laws of the state and may have specific restrictions on carrying them outside of your home. It is important to note that although ownership may be legal, many companies may not ship to your state due to other restrictions.



State

Ownership Restrictions

Alabama

None

Alaska

None

Arizona

None

Arkansas

None

California

Less than 2 inch blade

Colorado

Max blade length of 3.5 inches

Connecticut

Max blade length of 1.5 inches

Florida

None

Georgia

None

Idaho

None

Illinois

With valid firearms license

Indiana

None

Iowa

None

Kansas

None

Kentucky

21 years of age

Louisiana

None

Maine

None

Maryland

Can carry if not concealed

Massachusetts

Max blade length of 1.5 inches

Michigan

None

Mississippi

None

Missouri

None

Montana

None (previously max length of 1.5 inches)

Nebraska

None

Nevada

None (previously max length of 2 inches)

New Hampshire

None

North Dakota

None

New York

Only when hunting and fishing

North Carolina

Vague laws, would not recommend carrying concealed

North Dakota

Max blade length of 5 inches

Ohio

None

Oklahoma

None

Oregon

None

Rhode Island

None

South Carolina

None

South Dakota

None

Tennessee

None

Texas

None

Utah

None

Vermont

Blade length less than 3 inches

Washington

Limited to law enforcement and emergency responders

West Virginia

None

Wisconsin

None

Wyoming

None



Folding and Fixed Blade Knife Laws in the 50 States

Folding knives and fixed blades are largely treated equally under the law in most states. Fixed blades that were specifically designed as weapons such as daggers, dirks, and bowies, see the most restrictions across the country.

For the most part, outside of automatics, most pocket knives are generally safe to carry in many states. Automatics do still see a lot of restrictions on carry, even where ownership is legal. Caution should also be taken with assisted opening knives because some laws can be very vague, and may consider your assisted knife to be classified as an automatic.

When it comes to making the decision to open or conceal carry your knife, your first choice should be to take the law into account. Even if the law says you can open carry, you should always get a feel for your area.

I live in a rural area of Connecticut so it's fairly common to see people with a knife displayed. However, if I head to a more populated area, I may decide to conceal carry so as to not to draw attention to myself.

Almost all states place heavy restrictions on carry in schools and government buildings. Most outwardly ban carrying any knives in these places, but a few will actually allow limited carry. I would advise just assuming that you cannot carry a knife in those places.

Below is a generalized listing of laws by state, but always keep in mind that there may be cities within these states that have additional restrictions.



State

Length Restrictions

Concealed/Open Carry Restrictions

Restricted Knives

Alabama

None

Can not conceal carry Bowies (defined as long knives)

None

Alaska

None

Must be over 21 years or age to conceal carry

None, must be 21 to carry automatics

Arizona

None

Must be over 21 years or age to conceal carry

None

Arkansas

None

No restrictions

None

California

Location based, generally under 4 inches

Can not conceal fixed or folding daggers

Automatics over 2 inches, undetectable knives, cane knives/swords, pen knives, and ballistic knives

Colorado

Max blade length 3.5 inches

Can carry concealed if 3.5 inches or less.

Ballistic Knives

Connecticut

Max length 4 Inches of sharpened blade, exceptions for actively hunting and fishing

Can conceal or open carry

Automatics over 1.5 inches, no ownership and carry restrictions beyond ballistic knives

Delaware

Max blade length of 3 inches

Weapons permit to carry open or concealed any knife longer than 3 inches

Automatics and undetectable knives

Florida

None

Common folding knives may be concealed, fixed blades must be open carry.

Ballistic knives

Georgia

12 inches or less

Open or concealed carry.

No restrictions, blades over 12 inches considered weapons.

Hawaii

None

Open or concealed carry.

Automatics are banned, dirks and daggers can be owned but not be carried.

Idaho

6 inches or less

Open or concealed carry.

Knives over 6 inches are considered weapons and can not be concealed

Illinois

Generally none, less than 3 inches in some areas.

Concealed or open carry, certain jurisdiction restrictions

Automatics and ballistic knives

Indiana

None

Open or concealed carry.

Ballistic knives and throwing stars

Iowa

5 inches

Open or conceal under 5 inches, can not carry daggers or automatics.

Ballistic knives

Kansas

None

Open or concealed carry.

None

Kentucky

None

Open or concealed carry ordinary pocket and hunting knives

Anything beyond the vague description of ordinary pocket knife and hunting knife can not be carried by anyone under 21.

Louisiana

None

Open or conceal carry with the exception of certain jurisdictions

None

Maine

None

Restriction on carrying bowies, dirks, and daggers in a threatening way.

None

Maryland

None noted

Concealed carry limited to folding knives permitted if not automatic.

Automatic and ballistic knives

Massachusetts

Vague law, 1.5 inches is safe.

Many jurisdiction restrictions, folding pocket knives may be carried concealed as long as it does not lock into place. single edged fixed blades can be openly carried.

Due to vague laws it is known that automatics more than 1.5 inches are banned as are daggers and ballistic knives. Essentially anything that can be viewed as a weapon is banned.

Michigan

None noted

Can not conceal carry dirks or daggers (double edged)

None

Minnesota

None

Local restrictions, generally open or concealed carry is acceptable.

Automatic knives

Mississippi

None

Can not conceal carry bowies, dirks, or automatics.

None

Missouri

4 inches or less for pocket knives

Open or concealed is generally acceptable.

None

Montana

None

Open or concealed is generally acceptable.

None

Nebraska

None

3.5 or less inches to carry concealed, open carry larger than 3.5 inches.

None

Nevada

None

Can not conceal carry machetes. Can not conceal carry dagger and automatics over 2 inches.

None

New Hampshire

None

No restrictions

None

New Jersey

None

No restrictions outside of banned knives

Automatics, gravity knives, dirks, daggers, and ballistic knives

New Mexico

None

No restrictions outside of banned knives

Automatics and assisted opening

New York

Many local rules and regulations, typically below 4 inches is safe

Limitations on open carry in some areas, many local restrictions.

Automatics, gravity knives, dirks, daggers, and ballistic knives (hunting and fishing exceptions for automatics)

North Carolina

None

Open carry for all knives, concealed carry forbidden for bowies, dirks, and daggers. Numerous local restrictions.

Ballistic knives

North Dakota

5 Inches or more is considered a dangerous weapon.

Open carry is acceptable, weapon permit required for concealed carry.

None

Ohio

None

May not conceal a deadly weapon(carried as a weapon or designed as a weapon)

Ballistic knives

Oklahoma

None

No restrictions

None

Oregon

None

May not conceal carry automatic, assisted, dirks, daggers, or ice picks.

None

Pennsylvania

None

Open or concealed carry.

Automatics

Rhode Island

None

Open carry is unrestricted, and can not conceal carry anything over 3 inches.

None

South Carolina

None

No restrictions on concealed carry assuming no crime is being committed. Numerous local restrictions.

None

South Dakota

None

Open or concealed carry.

None

Tennessee

None

No restrictions.

None

Texas

Over 5.5 inches have location restrictions

Open or concealed carry.

None

Utah

None noted

Open or concealed carry.

None

Vermont

3 inches (auto only)

No restrictions

Automatics over 3 inches

Virginia

None

Can not conceal carry bowies, dirks, daggers, machetes, throwing stars, automatics, and ballistic knives

Ballistic knives

Washington

None

Can not conceal daggers, dirks, automatics, or other dangerous weapons.

Automatics, dirks, and daggers.

West Virginia

Over 3.5 inches considered dangerous weapons for daggers, dirks, and pocket knives.

Knives in the deadly weapon class may not be carried by people under the age of 21

None

Wisconsin

None

No restrictions

None

Wyoming

None

No restrictions over 21 years of age.

None



Whatever type of knife you carry, open or concealed, you can ensure a prolonged life for your EDC knives by reducing the wear on moving parts with KPL's line of knife lubricants, and keep your blades clean and rust-free with Knife Shield. Use code "BLACKFLAG" at checkout for 10% off your order!

 

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Knife laws in the US can sometimes be vague and confusing, varying from state to state, and sometimes even city to city. Let's take a look at the laws in the 50 US states regarding automatic knives...
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Comments

Michael Shakarian said:

I really like the clarification of what you can carry in what States and the lengths this was a really good article.

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