Laws and regulations vary from state to state, county to county, and within different cities in the same county. It would be impossible to keep current a compilation of all knife-related laws. However, we do have a reliable, attorney-written and updated source of all State Knife Laws. AKTI has also researched sources and information to help you search for additional knife laws that may affect you.
State Knife Laws
Check out State Knife Laws on our website. Information including which knives are forbidden or prohibited under state law, what knives cannot be sold or other restrictions on sale, what knives may be carried, and whether concealment is an issue is available. Be careful when researching state laws on the internet. Sites that list knife laws are frequently not current, were not researched by an attorney, or repeat erroneous information from another website. You can check the state’s own legislative site to confirm information by reviewing the actual law(s).
- The National Conference of State Legislatures is very informative about how different state legislatures work
- The Law School of Cornell University has links to resources such as state constitutions, statutes, pending bills, court rules, and official state websites.
- Check out the legislative session charts and calendars for introducing bills in various states at the National Council of State Legislatures.
State Laws Regarding Auto-Open Knives
Check out AKTI’s Quick Reference Map Regarding Automatic Knives
Local Laws
- Contact your local law enforcement department to request information.
- Municipal Codes: A Beginner’s Guide
- Check out municipal codes in other cities Municode.com
Federal Laws Regarding Knives
- The Federal Switchblade Act – is the only federal knife law other than laws about knives in federal facilities. The 2009 Amendment clarified that assisted-opening knives are not illegal switchblades.
Researching Laws and Legislation
- FindLaw.com – Laws, lawyers, and resources
- Library of Congress – U.S. Congress on the Internet; Legislative Information from the Library of Congress
- United States Codes – Current public laws enacted.
- Regulations – Find, review, and submit comments on Federal documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Government’s legal newspaper.
- Check the U.S. Government Official Web Portal – USA.gov for links to the three federal branches of government – executive, judicial and legislative.
Finding a Knife-Knowledgeable Lawyer
- National Association of Attorneys General – Attorneys General are the chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Contact your state attorneys general office. Ask for the staff knowledgeable about knife laws.
Important Supreme Court Decisions
District of Columbia v. Heller affirmed that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. The historic 2008 ruling overturned Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns and self-defense in the home.
Read Decision
Read Summary with notes for knife owners and attorneys
McDonald v. City of Chicago was a landmark victory, reaffirming the Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms as a fundamental right, regardless of where one lives, and no state, county, or local government can take away that right.
Read Decision
Read Summary with notes for attorneys
Tracking Pending Legislation
- AKTI tracks pending legislation in all 50 states and the federal level to help us oppose unreasonble laws introduced and support pro-knife efforts.
- Govtrack.us – Track events in Congress, see voting records, track legislators’ activity, view committees, and track legislation by bill number or subject in any state.