Switchblade Legal Chart by State

[volock@gmail.com]

Below are the laws regarding switchblades for each state. The source is the November 1998 issue of Tactical Knives. Be sure and check with the state governments to get the latest information. (If you know of changes/newer/more detailed info please add it... Just did this to try to make it easier than someone searching the forums for multiple states)

State Possession Legal? = 1.
Carry Legal? = 2.

Alabama
1. Y
2. Y3

Alaska
1.N
2.N

Arizona
1. Y
2. Y

Arkansas
1.Y
2. Y2

California
1. Y
2. N

Colorado
1. N
2. N

Connecticut
1. N
2. N

Delaware
1. N
2. Y3,4

Florida
1. Y
2. Y

Georgia
1. Y
2. N

Hawaii
1. N
2. N

Idaho
1. Y
2. Y3

Illinois
1. N
2. N

Indiana
1. N
2. N

Iowa
1. Y
2. Y

Kansas
1. N
2. N

Kentucky
1. Y
2. Y3

Louisiana
1. N
2. N

Maine
1. N
2. N

Maryland
1. Y
2. Y3

Massachusetts
1. N
2. N

Michigan
1. N
2. N

Minnesota
1. Y1
2. N

Mississippi
1. Y
2. N

Missouri
1. Y1
2. N

Montana
1. Y1
2. N

Nebraska
1. Y
2. Y3

Nevada
1. N
2. N

NewHampshire
1. N
2. N

NewJersey
1. N
2. N

NewMexico
1. N
2. N

NewYork
1. N
2. N

NorthCarolina
1. Y
2. Y3

NorthDakota
1. Y
2. Y3

Ohio
1. Y
2. Y

Oklahoma
1. Y
2. N

Oregon
1. Y
2. Y3

Pennsylvania
1. Y1
2. N

Rhode Island
1. Y
2. N

South Carolina
1. Y
2. N

South Dakota
1. Y
2. Y

Tennessee
1. N
2. N

Texas
1. Y1
2. N

Utah
1. Y
2. Y3

Vermont
1. N
2. N

Virginia
1. Y
2. Y3,4

Washington
1. N
2. N

West Virginia
1. Y
2. Y3,4

Wisconsin
2. N
1. N

Wyoming
1. Y
2. N

1Possession banned, but exception made for collectors and/orpossession as curios or antiques
2Carry allowed if blade is under 3.5 inches
3Carry allowed if not concealed
4Concealed Carry allowed with permit or license

 

[shootist16]

This is some good info. I think I'll stick it to the top if you don't care.

 

[ABTOMAT-47]

I'm not an auto knife guy so I haven't checked really recently, but here in MA I believe they're legal to own and carry if under 1.5".

 

[volock@gmail.com]

Thanks for the update... The chart was made in 1998/1999 and I havent gotten to fully updating it. I'm working on updating it now to include length limits if applicable and to be better in general... I'll make sure to add that info to the next version

 

[pooppoop]

CA can carry if under 2"in

its then leaglly considered a box cutter

 

[NickZac]

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/md.txt
Switchblades are illegal in MD according to this. This is something that has interested me as I am curious as to if I can carry a Benchmade Stryker auto.

 

[FullerH]

It is legal to carry a sitchblade openly in Virginia and Maryland? I find that rather hard to follow, given the generally restrictive nature of both states on that sort of thing. Carry with a CCW permit in Virginia, yes, but open carry?

 

[CRH]

I have some comments about Iowa since I live there.

"Switchblades" are considered "Dangerous Weapons" and Dangerous Weapons can not be concealed on or about your person without a permit to carry such weapons but permits are issued at the whim of the Sheriffs and from what I can tell are only issued for handguns and rarely. Most LEOs are going to consider a knife clipped to your pocket as being in plain view and not concealed, therefore legal; same for a belt pouch. If you get searched and it's sitting at the bottom of your pocket you can be charged with a misdemeanor.

 

[beefangusbeef]

I've always read LEO/Military only? Does that mean legal for carry all the time or just when in uniform? Curious if all of a sudden I'm breaking the law when I get off of work, or if I'm ok all the time?

 

[Bladecarrier]

Stange as it might seem, I somehow figured that the pocketknife laws would grow up along with me. I'm disappointed and embarassed that I, an aging babyboomer, can't legally carry 'most anything I want to in my very own pocket. Yes, I want good sane firearm laws too, but we're talking about pocketknives here.

I've just recently learned that I've been carrying an illegal pocketknife - with a less than 2 inch blade - for around 3 years. I've carried a very inexpensive ($8) OTF (Out The Front) double-action automatic pocketknife for 3 years thinking I was well within my rights.

I'd like to see the laws about what's legal to carry, blade wise, widened and made age terraced. 40 year olds and older ought to be able to carry samurai swords if they want to, including any kind of spring assisted automatic opening knife. In Texas an adult can't even carry a 2 inch automatic (switchblade/OTF)! There's somethin' wrong here.

Let's see here. What makes sense? No knife carrying 'til age 8. 8-10 year olds can carry the basic most 2-3 blade folder. 11-17 no single blade knives or folders with blades longer than 3 inches. 18-40 no blades longer than 3 inches. No automatics. 40-older Whatever!

After 50 years on the planet, I oughta be able to carry any kind of folding knife I choose. Heck, I oughta be able to carry a giant Bowie knife on my hip if I want to. Shoot. I'm wanting to see more freedom, not less.

 

[beefangusbeef]

You might want to post such a statement in the political arena as that has very negative undertones to it. My troll senses are tingling.

 

[Bladecarrier]

I regret my words and the posting thereof in response to the nicely composed chart of switchblade legality on a state by state basis. I'd like to know how the chart was built. It must have taken quite a while to gather all that info. I'm impressed.

Some might say everything's political in one way or t'other. Did I mention a party? I'll go visit the political group. Don't know much 'bout politics, but Camillus to (ProTech) Godson, I know. Thanks fer the hospitality.

 

[jjk1285]

Posession is illegal in Delaware, but you can carry one in that state??

 

[Chris Meyer]

That chart is incorrect when it comes to Connecticut. There is no ban on the ownership of switchblades, so you can legally keep them in your home. The problem would be that there is no provision for transporting them home lawfully. Also, CT actually allows for the carry or switchblades up to a whopping 1.5" in length.

CT General Statute 53-206.

 

[meshmdz]

I'm not an auto knife guy so I haven't checked really recently, but here in MA I believe they're legal to own and carry if under 1.5".

wtf. who carries a knife under 1.5? moreover, what does a switchblade under 1.5 inches look like?


i never thought i would say this but MA has better knife carry laws than my great state of tennessee.... it is a sad sad sad sad day. i will stick to my Spyderco Karambit. i can do all the damage with that i need to if i ever have to, GOD-WILLING i never use it. but sure as hell, i will be carrying it when i get it

 

[Shann]

In Vermont, it is illegal to possess or carry a switch blade knife with a blade 3" or more.

 

[peter nap]

Fuller, it is legal to carry openly in Va but a CCW is ONLY for a handgun. There is no permit in the statute for a concealed Switchblade.
AND
It is unlawful to SELL a switchblade in Va
AND
Possession of a switchblade is considered Prima Facia evidence of intent to sell.

Aside from that stupid law and a few others, what's so restrictive about Va. It's one of the few states I know of that I can walk into any Government building except a courthouse or General Assembly building, openly wearing a gun with no permit necessary.

 

[miller4931@sbcglobal]

Your rating scale is contradictory in my opinion. At the top a #1 asks"is it legal." then at the bottom ,where there is a rating of 1-4 and a #1 says it's "banned," as in not legal. So is a #1 a neutral question or does a #1
means its banned? Because if a 1 at the top asks "is it legal," and the letter answer is N, then it would be illegal to do something. Then using the bottom scale , if a #1 means illegal, therefore if asked "is it illegal?," the answer would be a Y. So which scale is correct? Do you see the contradiction? Thanks. Martin.

 

[partridge]

Your rating scale is contradictory in my opinion. At the top a #1 asks"is it legal." then at the bottom ,where there is a rating of 1-4 and a #1 says it's "banned," as in not legal. So is a #1 a neutral question or does a #1
means its banned? Because if a 1 at the top asks "is it legal," and the letter answer is N, then it would be illegal to do something. Then using the bottom scale , if a #1 means illegal, therefore if asked "is it illegal?," the answer would be a Y. So which scale is correct? Do you see the contradiction? Thanks. Martin.

No contradiction. At all.

Question number 1: Is it legal (Y or N)
Question number 2: Can you carry (Y or N) optionally followed by a number 1-4 if carry restrictions are not absolute.

So for each state there is an answer formatted:

State Name
1: (Y or N)
2: (Y or N) optional (1-4)

At the end of the list there is a key for the optional (1-4) that follows the Y/N in the second question.

Example:

Maryland
1: Y
2: Y3

Interpret this as: Maryland. Legal to own. Carry allowed if not concealed.

 

[tinaxduzgen]

Does anyone know the actually oregon statute that states these laws? Some guy tried to tell me that knives that open with "centrifical force" (Don't know if i spelled that right, sorry) were illegal, but i own 2 switchblades myself, and i know he's full of crap. help me find the laws!!