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Automatic Knife Laws

Don’t Believe the Myths About Automatic Knives

The following states do NOT prohibit auto-open (also referred to as automatic, switchblade, or switch knife) for non-law enforcement citizens.  Check State Knife Laws for specific details on possession, carry, manufacturer or sale as some restrictions may apply in a specific state.  See the list below for blade length restrictions.

The following states do NOT prohibit auto-open (also referred to as automatic, switchblade or switch knife) for non-law enforcement citizens.  Check State Knife Laws for specific details on possession, carry, manufacturer or sale as some restrictions may apply in a specific state.  See the list below for blade length restrictions. Data is compiled by the nonprofit association, American Knife and Tool Institute.

  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California (less than 2″ blade length limitation)
  6. Colorado (effective approximately Aug. 9, 2017; concealed carry maximum length 3-1/2″)
  7. Connecticut (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  8. Florida
  9. Georgia
  10. Idaho
  11. Illinois (effective Aug. 11, 2017 with valid Firearms Owner’s Identification Card FOID)
  12. Indiana
  13. Iowa
  14. Kansas (since 2013)
  15. Kentucky (only with weapons license)
  16. Louisiana (effective August 1, 2018)
  17. Maine (effective October 15, 2015)
  18. Maryland – can legally possess if not concealed
  19. Massachusetts (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  20. Michigan (effective October 10, 2017)
  21. Mississippi
  22. Missouri (since 2012)
  23. Montana (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation – removed 2019)
  24. Nebraska
  25. Nevada (effective July 1, 2015 – 2″ blade length limitation removed)
  26. New Hampshire (since 2010)
  27. North Dakota
  28. New York – (exception for hunting, trapping and fishing – see New York Knife Laws)
  29. North Carolina  (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
  30. North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
  31. Ohio (may possess but not manufacture or sell – see Ohio Knife Laws)
  32. Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
  33. Oregon
  34. Rhode Island
  35. South Carolina
  36. South Dakota
  37. Tennessee
  38. Texas
  39. Utah
  40. Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
  41. Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel – see Washington Knife Laws)
  42. West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
  43. Wisconsin (effective February, 2016)
  44. Wyoming