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Switchblades, also known as automatic knives, have been a subject of legal scrutiny across various states in the United States. These knives, characterized by their ability to deploy the blade with a push of a button or switch, have differing legal statuses depending on the state and certain conditions.
In states like Alabama and Alaska, switchblades are legal without significant restrictions. Conversely, states such as California and Connecticut have nuanced laws where blade length determines legality, with smaller blades generally being permissible. Other states, like Delaware and the District of Columbia, have outright bans on switchblade possession.
Legal nuances extend to states like Georgia and Kentucky, where possessing a gun carry permit may influence switchblade legality. Similarly, in states like Illinois and Missouri, possessing a Firearms Owner Identification Card (FOID) or a gun carry permit may impact legality.
However, several states maintain a broad legal stance on switchblades. For instance, Michigan and New Hampshire have vague legal frameworks, leading to ambiguity in enforcement and interpretation. In contrast, states like Minnesota and New Mexico maintain outright bans on switchblade possession.
State | Legal to Own | Legal to Sell | Open Carry | Concealed Carry | Balisong Considered Same |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Alaska | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Arizona | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier age is 21+ | |
Arkansas | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
California | Legal | Legal if blade is < 2" | Legal if blade is < 2" | Legal if blade is < 2" | |
Colorado | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is < 3.5" | |
Connecticut | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤ 1.5" | Legal if blade is ≤ 1.5" | |
Delaware | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
District of Columbia | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
Florida | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier has gun carry permit | |
Georgia | Legal | Legal (if over 18) | Legal if blade is ≤ 5" (any length with gun carry permit) | Legal if blade is ≤ 5" (any length with gun carry permit) | |
Hawaii | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
Idaho | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤4" | |
Illinois | Legal with FOID Card | Legal | Legal with FOID Card | Legal with FOID Card | |
Indiana | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Iowa | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤5" | |
Kansas | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Kentucky | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier has gun carry permit | |
Louisiana | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Maine | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
Maryland | Legal | Illegal | Legal | Legal if carrier has gun carry permit | |
Massachusetts | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤ 1.5" | Legal if blade is ≤ 1.5" | Legal if blade is ≤ 1.5" | |
Michigan | Legal | Legal | Vague | Vague | |
Minnesota | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
Mississippi | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
Missouri | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier has gun carry permit | |
Montana | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Nebraska | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤ 3.5" | |
Nevada | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
New Hampshire | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
New Jersey | Vague | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
New Mexico | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
New York | Vague | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
North Carolina | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
North Dakota | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
Ohio | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Oklahoma | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Oregon | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
Pennsylvania | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Rhode Island | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if blade is ≤ 3" | |
South Carolina | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
South Dakota | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Tennessee | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Texas | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | |
Utah | Legal | Legal | Legal | Situational | |
Vermont | Legal if blade is < 3" | Legal if blade is < 3" | Legal if blade is < 3" | Legal if blade is < 3" | |
Virginia | Legal | Legal | Legal | Illegal | |
Washington | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | |
West Virginia | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier age is 21+ | |
Wisconsin | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal if carrier can legally possess a firearm) | |
Wyoming | Legal | Legal | Legal | Situational |