State Laws Regarding Auto-Open Knives

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.

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 (if at least 21 years old)*
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. New Jersey (possession, but commerce and manufacturing unlawful)
28. North Dakota
29. New York – (exception for hunting, trapping and fishing – see New York Knife Laws)
30. North Carolina  (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
31. North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
32. Ohio (effective April 12, 2021 – see Ohio Knife Laws)
33. Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
34. Oregon (repealed 1985)
35. Pennsylvania (effective January 2, 2023)
36. Rhode Island*
37. South Carolina*
38. South Dakota (repealed 1975)
39. Tennessee*
40. Texas (since 2013)
41. Utah*
42. Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
43. Virginia (effective July 1, 2023)
44. Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel – see Washington Knife Laws)
45. West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
46. Wisconsin (effective February 2016)
47. Wyoming*

Check out FAQs Understanding Knife Laws
For information on the Federal Switchblade Act, click here.
Read Don’t Believe the Myths About Automatic Knives

*These states never enacted “switchblade” restrictions.