Automatic Knife Laws In USA (Update Part 1) 2021
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 (only with weapons license)
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 (City of Jackson prohibits Dagger Blades but all other blades authorized: DF,DFS, T, TS, DSS, DDS)
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. North Dakota
28. New York – (exception for hunting, trapping and fishing – see New York Knife Laws)
29. North Carolina (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
30. North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
31. Ohio (effective April 12, 2021 – see Ohio Knife Laws)
32. Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
33. Oregon
34. Rhode Island
35. South Carolina
36. South Dakota
37. Tennessee
38. Texas
39. Utah
40. Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
41. Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel – see Washington Knife Laws)
42. West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
43. Wisconsin (effective February 2016)
44. Wyoming
* Information per American Knife & Tool Institute, June 9th, 2021
