Knives are regulated almost as much as firearms in many states; if you are traveling with a knife, you need to know what is legal, illegal and the laws that pertain to carry and carry concealed.

Here is a general summary of the states that have knife laws that are easy to understand.

Alabama Knife Laws

What is Illegal

Here are notes on what kinds of knives are illegal under Alabama knife laws.

• Bowies and things that are like Bowies are illegal if concealed.
• Bowies are illegal to have in your vehicle.
• A machete might be classified as a Bowie and it would be illegal if you carry it concealed.
• An 11″ butcher knife has been found to be like a Bowie in court so don’t plan on using it in a crime.
• Selling Bowies to people under 18 is illegal.

Alaska Knife Laws

Effective date of HB33 is September 18, 2013

• This Law also preempts the repealing of local knife laws. Other than that it also prevents new knife laws from being enacted upon.
• Legal for an adult to possess or transport a switchblade or gravity knife;
• No prohibition on manufacturing switchblades or gravity knives;
• Minors under the age of 16 can only possess a switchblade or gravity with parental consent;

Arizona Knife Laws

Knives are not allowed in schools.

Colorado Knife Laws

These knives are illegal to carry concealed:

• All knives less than 3.5 inches are legal.
• All fishing and hunting knives of any length are legal.
• All knives over 3.5 inches are illegal.

Connecticut Knife Laws

Some Knives Can Not be Carried (Open or Concealed):

• Automatic knives over 1.5 inches are illegal.
• Switchblades over 1.5 inches are illegal.
• Stilettos are illegal.
• Blades longer than 4 inches are illegal.
Delaware Knife Laws
Knives that are Banned in Delaware
• Balisong knives are legal.
• Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
• Disguised knives like belt knives, lipstick knives, and cane knives are legal.
• Throwing knives are legal.
• Stilettos, dirks, and daggers are legal.
• Knives that will not set off metal detectors and have a pointed tip are illegal.
• Knives with brass knuckles are illegal.
• Switchblades and gravity knives are illegal.
• Throwing stars are illegal.
If a knife does not fall into any of the illegal categories above, it is legal to own.

Florida Knife Laws

Limits on Carry

• You can open carry any knife.
• Box cutters, multi-tools, and other work knives are legal to carry concealed.
• In most cases, conceal carry of a common pocket knife with a blade of less than 4 inches is legal.
• Anything outside of this has not been expressly banned or allowed.

Georgia Knife Laws

Limits on Carry

• It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, a knife that is larger than 5 inches without a permit.
• For knives greater than 5 inches, you need a weapons permit.

Hawaii Knife Laws

Limits on Carry

• You can open carry any knife.
• You can not conceal carry dirks, daggers, and knives similar to that.
• You can not conceal carry knives with knuckles like some WWI trench knives.
• You can conceal any other type of knife.

Idaho Knife Laws

Age Restrictions on Possession

• Need parental consent to possess a bowie or dirk if under 18.
• Can not possess a bowie or dirk if under 12 unless your parents are with you.

There is no ban on the possession of any type of knife in Idaho. You can buy and own any knife you want. However, taking it outside of the house is a different situation…

Limits on Carry

• It is legal to open carry any knife.
• It is illegal to bring any knife (open or concealed) besides a 2.5″ pocket knife to school.
• It is illegal to conceal carry any dirk, bowie, or dangerous weapon.
• It is illegal to conceal carry a knife, even if you have a permit, when intoxicated
Indiana Knife Laws
What is Illegal
• Ballistic knives are illegal.
• Throwing stars are illegal.

Restriction on Carry

There are no limits to concealed or open carry as long as you do not bring a knife to school.

Kansas Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal to own ballistic knives.
• It is illegal to own throwing stars

Louisiana Knife Laws

Limits on Carry

• Any knife is legal for open or concealed carry as long as it is not a switchblade.
Maryland Knife Laws
Limits on Carry
• You can not conceal carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife.
• You can not open carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife with the intent to harm someone.
• You can open or conceal carry any sized pocket knife you wish.
If a knife is not listed above, it is most likely to be legal for concealed or open carry. Read on to see why.

Massachusetts Knife Laws

Limits on Carry

• It is illegal to carry, open or concealed, switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos, ballistic knife, double edge knives, and knuckle knives.
• It is illegal to carry anything that is perceived as dangerous while disturbing the peace or being arrested.
• Folding knives, Swiss army knives, and kitchen knives are legal to carry as long as you do not behave in a way that makes them dangerous.

There are a few more details to the law that can’t be explained in bullet points. Read below for the full explanation.

Michigan Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Carry

• It is illegal to carry (either concealed or otherwise) dirks, stilettos, daggers, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length or any other dangerous weapon in any vehicle occupied or operated by the person. With the exception of a hunting knife adapted and carried as such.
• On top of this, you can not carry a dangerous weapon with intent to harm.
Learn more on http://www.legislature.mi.gov/

Mississippi Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a bowie knife
• It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own dirk knife
• It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a butcher knife
• It is illegal for a minor or a convicted felon to own a switchblade

Limits on Carry

• It is illegal to carry concealed any bowie knife
• It is illegal to carry concealed any dirk knife
• It is illegal to carry concealed any butcher knife
• It is illegal to carry concealed any switchblade or automatic knife
• You may carry any knife concealed if it is concealed in your vehicle, and not on your person.
• You may carry any knife concealed if you are participating in a sports activity where such a knife is legitimately used.
• You can open carry any knife in Mississippi unless you are a minor or a student on educational property.

Missouri Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

It is a Class C Felony to own a switchblade knife in Missouri, unless the person possessing the switchblade is in compliance with applicable federal law. The federal law, which governs possession of switchblades, is 15 USC Chapter 29. The law allows a person to possess and/or carry a switchblade on or about his person if the blade is less than three inches long and the person has only one arm, or the knife contains a spring or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade.

Montana Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• A switchblade knife is illegal to own in Montana unless you are a collector who is registered with the Sheriff in the county where your collection is kept.

Limits on Carry

• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk
• It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger
• It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade four inches long, or longer
• It is illegal to possess or carry any knife with a four inch blade or longer in a school building
• It is illegal to conceal carry any weapon while intoxicated
• It is illegal to conceal carry a weapon into a government office, bank or financial institution, or a place that sells alcohol for onsite consumption
• It is illegal to conceal carry any “deadly weapon”
• It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own in Montana
• It is legal to carry any knife that is legal to own in your vehicle, concealed or openly

Nebraska Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony to own a knife
• It is illegal for a person who is a fugitive to own a knife
• It is illegal for a person subject to a domestic violence protective order to own a knife while knowingly violating such order

Nevada Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle
• switchblade knives

Restrictions on Carry

• It is illegal to possess or carry a dirk, dagger, or switchblade on school or childcare facility property or in a vehicle owned by a school or childcare facility
• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk
• It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger
• It is illegal to conceal carry a machete
• It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which is made an integral part of a belt buckle
• It is illegal to conceal carry any knife which could be considered a dangerous or deadly weapon
• It is legal to conceal carry a pocketknife
• It is legal to open carry any knife that is legal to own

New Hampshire Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

It is illegal for a person who has been convicted of a felony against the person or property of another or of a felony drug-related offense to possess a:
• Stiletto
• Dirk or dagger
• Switchblade knife
• knife considered as a deadly weapon

New Jersey Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal to own any weapon, with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another
• It is illegal for a person convicted of certain crimes (see below) to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife
• It is illegal for certain mentally ill people to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife
• It is illegal to own a gravity knife, switchblade, dirk, dagger, stiletto, or other dangerous knife with any explainable lawful purpose

A conviction for aggravated assault, arson, burglary, escape, extortion, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, bias intimidation, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of weapon for an unlawful purpose, manufacture or transport of a prohibited weapon, unlawful possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance, or endangering the welfare of a child prevents a person from owning certain types of knives in New Jersey.

New Mexico Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal to own a switchblade
• It is illegal to own a Balisong or butterfly knife

New York Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• Switchblades and swords
• It is illegal to own a pilum ballistic knife
• It is illegal to own a metal knuckle knife
• It is illegal to own a cane sword
• It is illegal to own throwing stars
• It is illegal to own any knife if you are not a U.S. citizen
• It is illegal to own any knife adapted for use primarily as a weapon
• It may be illegal to own a gravity knife, without a valid hunting and/or fishing license

Just by having a banned knife in one’s possession already gives the presumption that he or she intends to use it unlawfully against someone else as stated in one state law.

In addition, people under 16 years of age are not allowed to have “any dangerous knife” in their possession. They can be considered as a juvenile delinquent should they be convicted.

Please see more of the New York Penal Code § 265.01.

North Carolina Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal to own any spring-assisted projectile knife
• It is illegal to own a ballistic knife
• It is illegal to own any weapon of similar character to a projectile or ballistic knife

North Dakota Knife Laws

Restrictions on Carry

• It is illegal to conceal carry a machete
• It is illegal to conceal carry a scimitar, backsword, or saber
• It is illegal to conceal carry a stiletto
• It is illegal to conceal carry a sword
• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk or dagger
• It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer
• It is legal to open carry any type of knife

Oklahoma Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is not illegal to own any kind of knife in Oklahoma.
Restrictions on Carry
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a dagger
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry bowie knife
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a dirk knife
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a switchblade knife
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a spring-assisted knife
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a sword cane
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry a knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife
• It is illegal to conceal or open carry any “offensive weapon”
As the no carry law states that it is illegal to carry a weapon, “upon or about” the person, Oklahoma’s no carry law extends to items carried in a vehicle, not just on a person.

Pennsylvania Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is illegal to own a dagger
• It is illegal to own any automatic knife
• It is illegal to own a sword cane
• It is illegal to own any implement for the infliction of bodily injury, which serves no “common lawful purpose”

South Carolina Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

• It is legal to own any type of knife in South Carolina.

Restrictions on Carry

• It is legal to conceal carry a dirk
• It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade knife
• It is legal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife
• It is legal to conceal carry a Bowie knife
• It is legal to conceal carry a stiletto

Texas Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Carry

1. Knife blades longer than 5 1/2 inches.

2. Illegal knives are classified into the following:
• Ballistic knives
• Dirk
• Stiletto
• Poniard
• Bowie knife
• Swords
• Spears

State law preempts all local laws.

Utah Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

Utah law creates two categories of people who may not own certain weapons, defined as “dangerous weapons”.

A category I restricted person is someone who:

• has been convicted of a violent felony under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5
• is on probation or parole for any felony
• is on parole from a facility is under contract with the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, that provides 24-hour supervision and confinement for youth offenders who have been committed to the division for custody and rehabilitation
• has been adjudicated delinquent, within the last 10 years, for an offense that if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203.5
• is illegally or unlawfully in the United States

Virginia Knife Laws

Restrictions in carry:

• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk
• It is illegal to conceal carry a bowie knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry a machete
• It is illegal to conceal carry a ballistic knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry throwing stars or oriental darts
• It is illegal to conceal carry any knife of a like kind to one of the above listed knives

Washington Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

It is illegal to own a switchblade or other spring blade knife in the state of Washington.

Restrictions on Carry

• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk
• It is illegal to conceal carry a dagger
• It is illegal to conceal carry any dangerous weapon
• It is illegal to open or conceal carry any weapon into a Courtroom

West Virginia Knife Laws

What is Illegal to Own

West Virginia law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife.

Restrictions on Carry

• It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife with a blade over 3 ½ inches
• It is illegal to conceal carry a switchblade, or any automatic knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife
• It is illegal to conceal carry any instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds
• It is illegal to conceal carry any “deadly weapon”

Obviously, we did not cover every state's knife laws and there are reasons for that.

Some state's knife laws were too complicated (CA, TN, MN (because of what they outline is legal to own or carry is long, detailed and seemingly in one case contradictory,)) only applied to intent or felon in possession (WA, VT, RI, OR, ME,) only applied to carry concealed (WY, WI, IA, IL) or a state had virtually no knife laws except as it applied to criminal intent (SD, OH, KY, AR.)

If your state falls into one of those categories, you need to check on your own. Everyone should also check to ensure that no late modifications to knife laws have been enacted through the Fall of 2016.

To learn more about knife laws and how they can affect you, check out Survival Life.