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.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (less than 2″ blade length limitation)
- Colorado (effective approximately Aug. 9, 2017; concealed carry maximum length 3-1/2″)
- Connecticut (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois (effective Aug. 11, 2017, with valid Firearms Owner’s Identification Card FOID)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas (since 2013)
- Kentucky (if at least 21 years old)
- Louisiana (effective August 1, 2018)
- Maine (effective October 15, 2015)
- Maryland – can legally possess if not concealed
- Massachusetts (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
- Michigan (effective October 10, 2017)
- Mississippi
- Missouri (since 2012)
- Montana (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation – removed 2019)
- Nebraska
- Nevada (effective July 1, 2015 – 2″ blade length limitation removed)
- New Hampshire (since 2010)
- North Dakota
- New York – (exception for hunting, trapping and fishing – see New York Knife Laws)
- North Carolina (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
- North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
- Ohio (effective April 12, 2021 – see Ohio Knife Laws)
- Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
- Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel – see Washington Knife Laws)
- West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
- Wisconsin (effective February 2016)
- Wyoming
Check out FAQs Understanding Knife Laws
For information on the Federal Switchblade Act, click here.
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