American Knife and Tool Institute

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • Join Today
  • Login

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • About
    • History and Successes
    • Board of Regents
    • Advisory Members
    • Premier Members
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Refund Policy
    • Terms of Service
  • Membership
    • Knife Industry Memberships
    • Individual Memberships
    • Be a Grassroots Supporter!
  • Legislation
    • Follow Current Knife Legislation
    • Finding Knife Laws
    • Contacting Legislators
    • How a Bill Becomes Law
  • Education
    • Knives Save Lives!
    • Kids and Knives
    • Traveling With a Knife
    • For Law Enforcement
    • For Legislators
    • The Ivory Ban
  • News & Events
    • Latest AKTI News
    • Industry News
    • Action Alerts
    • Upcoming Events
    • Carry With Confidence Giveaway
    • Free to Carry
  • Resources
    • Career Center
    • Knife Industry Resources
      • Knife Standards
      • Brand Protection
      • Social Media Censorship Initiative
      • Proposition 65
    • Knife Owner Resources
      • Encounters With Law Enforcement
      • Traveling With a Knife
      • The Legal Edge
      • Brandishing a Knife
      • Schools and Knife Laws
      • AKTI Monthly Knife Auction
    • Counterfeit Knives
    • Brochures & Handouts
    • For Media
    • Buy an AKTI Luggage Tag
  • State Knife Laws
    • State Auto-Open Laws
    • About Statewide Knife Preemption
    • Know Your Knife Laws
    • Federal Switchblade Act
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • Court Case Summaries
    • The Legal Edge

New Hampshire Knife Laws

Quick Legal Facts

New_Hampshire

Statewide Preemption:

Yes.

Concealed Carry:

Not an issue.

Minors:

New Hampshire has no laws regarding the sale or transfer of knives to minors. It does, however, for instance, prohibit the sale of paint ball guns and/or BB guns to minors.

At a Glance:

New Hampshire does not restrict the possession of knives by law-abiding individuals.

Relevant Statutes:

625:11 General Definitions.
159:3 Convicted Felons.
159:19 Courthouse Security.
159:26 Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives; Authority of the State.
642:7 Implements for Escape and Other Contraband. 

Restricted Knives:

There are no restricted knives except for persons previously convicted of a felony.

Concealed Carry:

There are no restrictions on open or concealed carry.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:

None.

Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations/Circumstances:

Deadly weapons, which, by definition, may include knives, are prohibited in any Courthouse. Knives are included within the ambit of ‘implements for escape and other contraband’ which may not be possessed by any ‘person in official custody.’

Statewide Preemption:

Yes.  Municipalities or political sub-divisions may not restrict knives.

Discussion:

The most obvious risk to an individual in New Hampshire who possesses a knife is that he or she might inadvertently stray across the southern border of the state into Massachusetts where very restrictive knife laws and felony convictions for violations thereof obtain.

Updated January 17, 2020, by Daniel C Lawson

Comments:

The “Live Free or Die” state of New Hampshire is among the most tolerant states in the country regarding ownership of knives, stemming from the work of State Representative Jenn Coffey, a former EMT, who took on the cause to allow New Hampshire citizens to carry the knife of their choice.  In 2010, Representative Coffey introduced and championed HB1665 which removed all restrictions on switchblades, daggers, dirks, and stilettos from New Hampshire law.

 

This information is presented as a brief synopsis of the law and not as legal advice. AKTI is not, and cannot be, a legal service provider. Use of the site does not create a lawyer/client relationship. Laws are interpreted differently by enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and judges. AKTI suggests that you consult legal counsel for guidance.

The complete State Knife law information is now available to AKTI members and non-members alike. If you find the State Knife Laws useful please consider an AKTI membership or making a contribution to AKTI.

Last Revised: February 26, 2021

Back to all AKTI State Knife Laws

Take Action

  • Become a Member (Industry)
  • Become a Member (Individual)
  • Stay Informed
Make a Contribution

Popular Resources

  • AKTI Knife Auction
  • AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
  • State Knife Laws
  • State Auto-Open Laws
  • What Every Knife Owner Should Know
  • Traveling with Knives
American Knife & Tool Institute

14 hours ago

American Knife & Tool Institute
What is Concealed? Many knife laws contain a section on concealing knives. Which knives are included, and when is a knife “concealed?”www.akti.org/concerning-concealment/#KnowYourKnifeLaws #CarryWithConfidence #AKTI ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community; educating, promoting and informing that knives are important tools.

Copyright © American Knife and Tool Institute, all rights reserved
22 Vista View Ln, Cody, WY 82414
307-587-8296
Privacy & Security
| Terms of Service

  • Home
  • About
  • Membership
  • Legislation
  • Education
  • Brand Protection
  • Contribute Today
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact

Follow AKTI:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Account

  • Login