State Civilian Switchblade/Automatic Knife Legality

As of November 7, 2022: Alphabetical listing of states where civilian possession of switchblade/automatic knives are legal with any limitations noted.

* = Concealed Carry also legal

States where Knife Rights has enacted Knife Law Preemption are in Bold with Date

States where Knife Rights has enacted Repeal of a Switchblade Ban are Italics with Date

This information IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. Knife Rights cannot offer legal advice. Users are cautioned not to rely on this information as legal advice or as an alternative to legal advice from a licensed attorney.

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Alabama*

Alaska* 2013

Arizona* 2010 (First Knife Law Preemption bill in nation)

Arkansas*

California* (under 2 inches)

Colorado* 2017 (concealed under 3.5 inches for all knives)

Connecticut* (with valid hunting or fishing license OR 1.5 inches and under)

Florida * (concealed with CCW)

Georgia* 2012

Idaho* (vague limitations on concealed carry, but definitely okay with CCW)

Illinois* 2017 (requires FOID card)

Indiana* 2013

Iowa* (concealed with CCW)

Kansas* 2013

Kentucky

Louisiana* 2018 – 2022 (concealed carry 2022)

Maine 2015

Massachusetts* (1.5 inches or less)

Maryland

Michigan* 2017

Minnesota (for “collectors” and/or as “curios or antiques”)

Mississippi

Missouri 2012

Montana 2019

Nebraska

Nevada 2015

New Hampshire* 2010 Autos (First Switchblade Ban Repeal in nation), 2011 Preemption

New Jersey (for “lawful purpose” including specifically “hunting,” but no sales)

New York (with valid hunting, fishing or trapping license, but no sales – NOTE: Gravity Knives and Balisongs LEGAL)

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio* 2021 – 2022 (2021 Concealed Carry and Repealed ban on manufacturing and sale – 2022 Preemption)

Oklahoma* 2015 (Repeal was of the carry ban, possession was already legal) & Preemption

Oregon* (concealed with CCW)

Pennsylvania 2022

Rhode Island* (concealed must be 3-inches or less)

South Carolina*

South Dakota*

Tennessee* 2013 Preemption 2014 Autos

Texas* (concealed with CCW) 2013 Autos, 2015 Preemption, 2017 “Illegal Knives” removed from statute incl. 5.5-inch length carry limit (“Location Restricted” knives over 5.5-inches remain banned in certain limited locations),

Utah* 2011 (concealed with CCW)

Vermont* (under 3 inches)

West Virginia 2020

Virginia* 2022 (Concealed 2023)

Wisconsin* 2016

Wyoming (existing preemption via State Constitution)

45 States allow possession to one degree or another (effective Jan 2, 2023)

36 States with no restrictions on possession or everyday/open carry

29 States allow concealed carry

19 Switchblade Ban or Restriction Repeals by Knife Rights since 2010: Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin

13 Knife Law Preemption Bills by Knife Rights since 2010: Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin