Knife Laws By State – Where It Legal And Where Is Not?
Knife laws are a complicated topic. States have different laws on knives and the situation can be even more complicated when you start looking at federal law.
There are two main categories of knives:
– Folding Knives: these are knives that fold up into their handle, which is usually made out of metal or plastic.
– Fixed Blade Knives: these are knives that do not fold up and instead have a blade that extends from the handle. Fixed-blade knives can be either single-edged or double-edged. Single-edged blades have one sharp edge and double-edged blades have two sharp edges on opposite sides of the blade.
There are also three main types of fixed blades:
– Bowie Knife: A large, heavy knife with a curved blade meant for chopping and stabbing.
– Sgian Dubh: A large, heavy knife with a small, sharp blade meant for thrusting and piercing.
– Kindjal: A large, heavy knife with a small, sharp blade meant for thrusting and piercing.
Fixed blade knives are typically used for hunting since they can be easily attached to the hunter’s belt or crossbow without compromising the rifle. They are also useful in combat situations when there is no room to maneuver (such as jungle fighting).
Disclosure – Be aware, please!
The following laws that we write for each state, are from our understanding and knowledge and may vary from time to time. Please consider reading the law from the state government sites, and only use the following information as a starting point to understand the big picture in the state you look for.
We apologize if any of the info isn’t clear or up to date – Laws may evolve from time to time. We would like to apologize as well for not including all the states, but only these that we had firm knowledge about.
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Knife Laws In NY
Knife laws in NY can be found in the New York Penal Code.
NY penal code defines a knife as “any instrument which has a blade which may be exposed by a flip of the wrist or by some mechanical operation.”
Knives are categorized into three groups: switchblade knives, gravity knives, and other knives.
Switchblades are illegal to own, sell and transport. Gravity knives are illegal to possess outside of one’s home or place of business without a license. Other knives are legal so long as they have blades that do not lock in place when opened and cannot be used as weapons.
In New York, the law is very specific. You cannot carry a knife that is concealed on your person and you have to have a valid reason for carrying one.
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Knife Laws In California
Knife laws in California are complicated. Many different laws regulate the possession, sale, and use of knives.
In California, knives are illegal to carry concealed on your person or in your vehicle without a concealed weapons permit. This includes folding knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, switchblades, and all other types of knives. However, there is no law against carrying a fixed blade knife openly on your person or in your vehicle as long as it is not concealed.
In California, it is illegal to sell knives to minors under 18 years old unless they have written parental permission. It is also illegal for minors under 18 years old to possess any kind of knife whatsoever except a folding pocketknife with a blade less than 2 inches long (but this is not binding state law, it is merely an example of a local rule).In each jurisdiction, the minor’s parents or guardians may have to sign a consent form if the minor is trying to purchase knives from outside their locality.
Knife Laws In LA
Knife laws in LA are complicated and can vary depending on the situation. The law is not set in stone and often depends on the interpretation of the police officer.
A knife is defined as a cutting instrument, other than a pocket knife, that has a blade that is more than two and one-half inches long. In California, it is illegal to carry knives with blades longer than four inches within city limits.
In Los Angeles, knives with blades longer than four inches are only legal if they are used for agricultural or culinary purposes or if they are being used for religious ceremonies.
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Knife Laws In Florida
Knives are not considered weapons in Florida. This means that they can be carried openly or concealed in public. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
There are many knives that people use for a variety of purposes and they should be aware of the local laws before carrying them.
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Knife Laws In Massachusetts
Knife laws in Massachusetts are very specific. The blade of the knife cannot be longer than 3 inches and it cannot have a double-edged blade. It is also not allowed to have a blade that opens with a flick of the wrist. The knife must be sheathed or enclosed by something that will prevent it from being exposed. For example, you can’t just keep it in your pocket. The knife must also be worn open to be easily seen and you are required to tell law enforcement if you are carrying a knife.
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Knife Laws In New Jersey
New Jersey law defines a knife as “any cutting instrument that has a blade that is exposed in an automatic or gravity operated fashion by the force of gravity or by the force of the user’s hand.”
Knives are not considered to be weapons in New Jersey. It is illegal to carry any type of knife with an exposed blade in public unless it is for hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, or another lawful purpose.
It is illegal to carry any type of knife with an exposed blade on school property, public transportation, and other public property.
It is illegal to bring any type of knife onto school grounds without permission from school authorities.
It is illegal to sell knives without a license.
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Knife Laws In Michigan
Michigan knife laws are not as restrictive as the knife laws in other states. The only restrictions are on carrying knives in schools, churches, and daycare centers.
Michigan does not have any law that prohibits a person from possessing a knife or carrying a knife; however, there are certain restrictions on where knives can be carried. Michigan does not have any law that prohibits the sale, purchase, possession, or use of any type of knife.
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Knife Laws In Arizona
Arizona Knife Laws are in place to protect the public and to help ensure that knives are used for safe, legal purposes. Everyone needs to know about these laws, so they can be responsible citizens.
Knife laws in Arizona prohibit weapons from being carried on school grounds or within a car on school grounds. There are exceptions for law enforcement officers and authorized security personnel.
In Arizona, it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade longer than 4 inches in length into any government building. This includes courthouses and schools.
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Knife Laws In West Virginia
Knife laws in West Virginia are governed by the Uniform Knife Act of 1958.
West Virginia knife law permits the possession of all types of knives, as long as they are not carried with the intent to use them unlawfully against another person.
The law does not restrict the size or type of knife that may be carried but does prohibit carrying a concealed weapon with a blade exceeding three inches in length.
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Knife Laws In Alaska
Knife laws in Alaska are governed by the state, not the federal government. This means that knife laws in Alaska are stricter than knife laws in other states.
The law defines a dangerous weapon as any object that is capable of inflicting death or serious injury and is used with the intent to cause death or serious injury. In Alaska, it’s illegal to carry a dangerous weapon without a permit. A knife may be considered a dangerous weapon if it has a blade over 3 inches and is carried with the intent to use it as such.
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Knife Laws In Pennsylvania
Knife laws in Pennsylvania are based on the type of knife. For example, if you have a hunting knife, you are allowed to carry it without a license. If you have a switchblade, you need to apply for a permit from the county sheriff.
If you use your knife in self-defense, it is not considered a weapon and therefore is not illegal. However, if your weapon is used for an unlawful purpose then it becomes illegal and can be confiscated by authorities.
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Knife Laws In Montana
In Montana, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, but it is not illegal to carry an open weapon.
The law does not apply to people who are carrying a knife for use in their occupation. It also does not apply to people carrying knives or daggers as part of their dress or equipment.
People who are convicted of violating this law will be charged with the misdemeanor crime of unlawful possession of a concealed weapon and they may be fined up to $500 and sentenced to up to six months in jail.
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Knife Laws In Kentucky
Knife laws in Kentucky are governed by the Kentucky state law.
The law does not specify what constitutes a “dangerous weapon,” but it does specify that any knife with a blade longer than three inches are considered to be a deadly weapon.
It is illegal to carry any dangerous weapon with the intent of using it unlawfully against someone else or to go armed with such a weapon in public without good cause.
A person who carries or possesses a concealed deadly weapon on their person without any legal justification can face up to one year in jail, and the same penalty applies if they use the knife unlawfully against another person.
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Knife Laws In New Mexico
New Mexico is one of the states that have a knife law.
Knife laws in New Mexico are governed by the state’s penal code.
To carry knives in public, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid reason for carrying them.
The law says that knives that are carried in public should not be used as an offensive weapon and should only be used for self-defense or other lawful purposes.
Therefore, you can carry a knife if you have a valid reason for doing so, such as hunting or fishing.
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Knife Laws In North Carolina
Knife laws in North Carolina are not very strict. There is no special permit or license needed to carry a concealed weapon. The only restriction is that the blade cannot exceed 12 inches.
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Knife Laws In Indiana
Knife laws in Indiana are not as strict as knife laws in other states. This is because the state does not have a law that prohibits the possession of knives.
Indiana does, however, have a law that prohibits citizens from carrying knives with blades longer than five inches in public areas. This is because the state has the same definition of weapons as other states do. The state also has a law that makes it illegal to carry guns, clubs, and other weapons while intoxicated.
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Knife Laws In Oregon
Oregon Knife Laws are a little more lenient than other states.
In Oregon, it is illegal to carry a concealed knife with a blade length of three inches or more. It is also illegal to carry a knife that has a blade length of two and one-half inches or more in any public place.
Oregon law does not prohibit carrying knives with blades shorter than two and one-half inches in public places, but there are restrictions on what types of knives can be carried. Knives that are considered to be dangerous weapons cannot be carried in public places unless they are being used for lawful purposes like fishing, hunting, trapping, and camping.
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Knife Laws In Colorado
Knife laws in Colorado are governed by state law. The state does not have a knife length restriction, but there are restrictions on the types of knives that can be carried.
The law in Colorado generally prohibits people from carrying a knife with a blade longer than 4 inches in public without a valid reason to do so.
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Knife Laws In Alabama
Alabama knife laws are some of the most restrictive in the United States.
Knives are legal to possess in Alabama as long as they are not concealed or carried with intent to use unlawfully against another.
It is illegal to carry any knife with a blade longer than 3 inches, or shorter than 1 inch, on a public street or highway.
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Knife Laws In Utah
Knife laws in Utah are a lot more lenient than knife laws in other states. The state has no law that prohibits carrying knives, even concealed blades.
Utah law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife and it doesn’t require knives to be registered. However, there are certain restrictions on how knives can be carried and used. For example, you cannot carry a knife with a blade that is over 3 inches long into any public building or school without written permission from the principal or superintendent.
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Knife Laws In Maryland
Knife laws in Maryland are very strict. The law states that you cannot carry a knife into a school, government building, or place of worship. You also can’t carry one in public if you know that the blade is exposed and its length is longer than 3 inches. There are some exceptions to the rule but it’s best to avoid carrying knives altogether.
The law doesn’t apply to pocket knives with blades shorter than 3 inches and folding knives with blades shorter than 3 inches long when they’re closed and not being carried on your person or in your vehicle. It also doesn’t apply to anyone who has a hunting license, fishing license, or trapping license while they’re at those respective activities or anyone who uses a knife for agricultural purposes while they’re at those activities.
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Knife Laws In Nevada
Knife laws in Nevada are very strict and there are a lot of restrictions. The state does not have any laws against carrying knives, but there are some restrictions which include:
Knives that have blades longer than 3 inches are illegal to carry on your person
Knives with blades shorter than 3 inches can only be carried on your person if they’re not concealed
It is illegal to carry switchblades or stilettos in the state of Nevada
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Knife Laws In Illinois
The law on knives in Illinois is a bit complicated and it’s not always clear what the law says. The law states that it is illegal to carry a dangerous weapon. But it also says that if you are at home, you can have any type of knife in your possession.
The law on knives in Illinois is a bit complicated and it’s not always clear what the law says. The law states that it is illegal to carry a dangerous weapon. But it also says that if you are at home, you can have any type of knife in your possession.
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Knife Laws In Tennessee
Knife laws in Tennessee are governed by the Tennessee Code.
Tennessee Code Title 39. Criminal Offenses, Chapter 17. Offenses Against Public Peace and Welfare, Part 2. Weapons
Knives are considered a weapon in Tennessee and subject to the same restrictions as firearms or other weapons.
It is illegal to carry a knife with an automatic spring release device that opens the blade by pushing on the handle or any other device that can be used to open automatically from its weight or pressure without the manual operation of a button, switch, lever, or other mechanical apparatus.
It is illegal to carry a knife with an opening blade of four inches (10 cm) or more on one’s person, except when it is being used for hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, and household work.
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Knife Laws In Wisconsin
Knife laws in Wisconsin are more complex than you might think. The state does not have any specific knife restrictions, but it does allow local municipalities to enact their knife regulations. For example, Madison has a law that prohibits the possession of knives longer than 3 inches.
Wisconsin is one of the few states where there are no statewide knife laws. However, this means that individual cities and towns can pass bans on knives and other weapons. For instance, Madison has a law prohibiting people from carrying knives with blades over three inches long in public places.
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Knife Laws In Oklahoma
Knife laws in Oklahoma state that it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade longer than 4 inches.
The law also prohibits the use of any type of knife in the commission of a crime.
It is legal to carry knives that are shorter than 4 inches, as long as they are not used for criminal purposes.
Oklahoma’s knife laws are very similar to those in other states. It is illegal to carry knives with blades longer than 4 inches unless it’s for certain purposes like hunting or fishing.
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Knife Laws In Minnesota
Minnesota has some of the most restrictive knife laws in the country. Anyone who carries a knife with a blade over 3 inches long must have it in plain sight. If you are found to be carrying a knife and you are not able to show that you had it in plain sight, then you can be charged with a misdemeanor offense.
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Knife Laws In Ohio
Ohio is a state that has very strict knife laws, and many different types of knives are illegal to carry or use in Ohio unless they have a specific purpose for being used as an athletic field or hunting knife, or if one is carrying an antique knife from before 1900.
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Knife Laws In Washington
Knife laws in Washington are governed by the state’s Uniform Knife Act RCW 9.41.300, which makes it illegal to carry any knife that is capable of inflicting death or serious injury unless it is used as a tool for a trade or profession, or if it is carried in an area that is not accessible to the public.
A person may not carry any knife concealed on their person without first obtaining a concealed weapons permit (CWP). A CWP can be issued by the county sheriff of the applicant’s residence, with no qualification requirements other than citizenship and age (21 years old).
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Knife Laws In Missouri
Knife laws are a set of regulations, or a statute, which govern the legal possession and carrying of knives.
It is illegal to carry any knife with a blade over 3 inches in length. This includes knives that have been opened, as well as concealed knives.
Anyone who is found with an illegal knife can be charged with the crime of unlawful use of weapons and will face penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment in the state penitentiary for up to 4 years.
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Summary
Knife laws vary from state to state. In some states, it is illegal to carry a knife. In other states, it is legal for an adult to carry a pocketknife or hunting knife without any restrictions.
In general, knives that are carried in public should be:
– Carried openly and not concealed.
– Carried to cut something (like food).
– Used to cut something (like food).
– Not used as a weapon.
