Are Pocket Knives Legal? Every State’s Knife-Carrying Laws
Knife laws can be surprisingly inconsistent across the U.S., and while many people carry a pocket knife for work, outdoor use, or general utility, what's legal in one state might not be in another. Some states allow you to carry nearly any kind of knife without issue, while others have strict limits on blade length, concealed carry, or specific knife types. Here's a straightforward, state-by-state look at what you need to know about pocket knife laws across the country.
Alabama
Alabama has some of the most relaxed knife laws in the country. You can own and carry nearly any kind of knife, including all folding knives. However, carrying concealed Bowies or similar large knives is illegal, and selling them to anyone under 18 is prohibited.
Alaska
Since 2013, Alaska has placed no specific restrictions on knife types. However, carrying or using any knife with the intent to seriously injure or kill someone is illegal.
Arizona
In Arizona, all knives—regardless of type or blade length—are legal. Anyone over 21 can carry knives concealed. It's illegal to hide a non-pocket knife from law enforcement, for anyone under 21 to conceal a non-pocket knife, or to bring knives onto school grounds.
Arkansas
Arkansas law allows ownership and carry of all knives, no matter their size or mechanism. If it has a blade, it's legal.
California
In California, knives of any blade size can be carried openly. Concealed carry is allowed for most types, except illegal ones like switchblades over two inches. Ballistic, disguised, and undetectable knives are banned. Concealed carry of dirks and daggers is also prohibited.
Colorado
Colorado permits open carry of most knives, but it's illegal to conceal a knife with a blade longer than 3.5 inches unless it’s used for hunting or fishing. Ballistic knives are completely banned.
Connecticut
You can legally own any knife in Connecticut, but carrying automatic knives, switchblades with blades over 1.5 inches, stilettos, or knives with blades longer than 4 inches is prohibited. Hunters, anglers, and trappers are exempt when carrying knives for their work.
Delaware
Owning most knives in Delaware is legal, and open carry is allowed for non-banned types. However, concealing a folding knife with a blade over 3 inches is restricted. Switchblades, gravity knives, throwing stars, knuckle knives, and undetectable knives are illegal.
Florida
In Florida, you can own any knife except ballistic knives and openly carry it. Concealed carry is allowed only for common pocket knives with blades under 4 inches; anything larger requires a permit.
Georgia
Georgia law allows ownership of any knife—balisongs, Bowies, throwing knives, switchblades, daggers, and more. Carrying knives with blades over 12 inches requires a weapons permit, but once you have one, there are no further restrictions.
Hawaii
You can own most knives in Hawaii, but switchblades and balisongs (butterfly knives) are banned. Legal knives can be carried openly, but concealing dirks, daggers, or knives used as weapons is illegal unless used in a lawful way.
Idaho
All knives are legal to own in Idaho. You can carry any knife openly, and concealed carry is allowed if the blade is under 4 inches. Concealing larger knives like dirks, bowies, or daggers requires a weapons permit.
Illinois
Illinois allows ownership of all knives except ballistic knives and throwing stars. Switchblades are legal with a FOID card. Carrying knives with intent to harm is illegal, especially dirks, stilettos, or other dangerous blades.
Indiana
All knives are legal in Indiana except ballistic knives and throwing stars. You can carry any knife unless you're on school property, and there are no blade-length restrictions for concealed carry.
Iowa
In Iowa, most knives are legal except ballistic knives. Concealed carry bans switchblades, daggers, stilettos, balisongs, disguised knives, and blades over 5 inches. Open carry has no blade-length limits.
Kansas
Kansas law allows ownership and open or concealed carry of all knives except ballistic knives and throwing stars, with no blade-length restrictions.
Kentucky
Kentucky permits ownership of all knife types, including balisongs and switchblades. Open carry is unrestricted, and concealed carry is allowed for pocket or hunting knives. Since June 2019, "Constitutional Carry" also allows concealed carry of other deadly weapons.
Louisiana
All knives can be owned and carried openly in Louisiana. Concealed carry of switchblades or automatic knives is illegal.
Maine
You can own and openly carry any knife in Maine. Concealed carry of dirks, stilettos, or knives primarily made as weapons is illegal.
Maryland
Owning knives is legal in Maryland, but concealing dirks, Bowies, switchblades, or gravity knives is not. Pocket knives of any size are allowed unless used unlawfully.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows knife ownership but bans carrying stilettos, daggers, dirks, double-edged knives, ballistic knives, knuckle knives, and automatic knives. Carrying any "dangerous" knife during an arrest or disturbance is also prohibited.
Michigan
All knives are legal to own in Michigan. Open carry is allowed except for out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives. Concealing hunting knives is legal, but concealing dirks, stilettos, or double-edged knives designed for stabbing is not.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, knife ownership is unrestricted except for switchblades. You can carry any knife openly or concealed unless it's intended as a weapon. Using or carrying a knife to harm others is illegal.
Mississippi
Anyone over 18 who isn't a felon can own any knife in Mississippi. Concealed carry of Bowies, dirks, butcher knives, or switchblades is illegal unless used for hunting, fishing, or sport. Open carry is legal for all knives.
Missouri
Knife ownership and open carry are unrestricted in Missouri. Concealed carry is limited to folding pocket knives with blades under 4 inches.
Montana
Montana law allows ownership and carry of any knife, including switchblades, with no blade-length limits. Bringing knives with blades 4 inches or longer onto school property is illegal.
Nebraska
Nebraska allows ownership of nearly all knives. Concealed carry of knives with blades over 3.5 inches is illegal, but open carry is allowed for all knives.
Nevada
You can own any knife in Nevada except belt buckle knives and switchblades. Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, machetes, or other deadly weapons is illegal, but open carry is allowed.
New Hampshire
All knives are legal in New Hampshire unless you've been convicted of a violent or drug-related felony. There are no restrictions on open or concealed carry for law-abiding citizens.
New Jersey
Most knives are legal to own in New Jersey, but those meant for harm or crime are not. Concealed carry is allowed unless the knife is considered dangerous, like a switchblade, or you intend to use it unlawfully.
New Mexico
Switchblades and balisongs are banned in New Mexico. Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, or any knife capable of causing serious injury is also illegal. Open carry of legal knives is allowed.
New York
In New York, switchblades, knuckle knives, cane swords, and ballistic knives are illegal to own. Carrying a dirk, dagger, or stiletto with unlawful intent is also banned. Open or concealed carry of legal knives is permitted if there's no intent to use them unlawfully.
North Carolina
You can own most knives in North Carolina. Concealed carry of Bowies, dirks, daggers, or butcher knives is illegal, though open carry is permitted. Blade length isn't regulated by the state.
North Dakota
North Dakota allows ownership of all knives but bans concealed carry of gravity knives, switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos, or blades longer than 5 inches. Open carry is legal for all knives.
Ohio
Ohio law permits ownership of any knife. Concealed carry of a "deadly weapon," like a dirk, dagger, or long-blade knife, may be illegal. Open carry is generally allowed.
Oklahoma
You can own any knife in Oklahoma, but concealing one considered an "offensive weapon" is prohibited. Open carry is allowed except in restricted areas like schools or certain public events.
Oregon
All knives are legal to own in Oregon unless you're a felon. Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, or spring-assisted knives is illegal, though open carry is unrestricted.
Pennsylvania
Knife ownership and carry are legal in Pennsylvania, but concealed carry of knives classified as "prohibited offensive weapons" without a lawful reason is illegal. There are no blade-length limits.
Rhode Island
All knives are legal to own in Rhode Island, but concealing blades over 3 inches or stabbing-type knives like dirks, daggers, stilettos, or sword canes is illegal. Open carry is allowed for all knives.
South Carolina
South Carolina permits ownership and carry—open or concealed—of any knife, as long as it isn't used to commit a crime.
South Dakota
There are no state restrictions in South Dakota. All knives can be owned and carried, openly or concealed.
Tennessee
All knives are legal in Tennessee. The legality of carrying butterfly knives is unclear but generally allowed unless used for a crime. Both open and concealed carry are permitted.
Texas
Texas allows ownership of all knives. Carrying knives with blades over 5.5 inches is restricted in specific places like schools, bars, and courthouses. Smaller knives can be carried openly or concealed.
Utah
You can own and carry any knife in Utah unless you're legally restricted, such as being a felon or drug user. There are no blade-length limits.
Vermont
Vermont law allows ownership and carry of all knives except switchblades with blades 3 inches or longer. Carrying knives onto school or government property or with intent to harm is illegal.
Virginia
All knives are legal to own in Virginia, but concealed carry of dirks, Bowies, switchblades, machetes, ballistic knives, throwing stars, or similar weapons is banned. Open carry is unrestricted.
Washington
In Washington, owning switchblades or spring-blade knives is illegal. Concealed carry of dirks, daggers, or other dangerous weapons is also banned, but open carry is legal if it doesn't cause alarm.
West Virginia
All knives are legal to own in West Virginia. Citizens over 21 who can legally carry firearms may carry any knife, openly or concealed.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows ownership and carry—open or concealed—of all knives for anyone legally allowed to possess firearms. There are no blade-length limits.
Wyoming
Wyoming places no restrictions on knife ownership. Open carry of any knife is legal, but concealed carry of a deadly weapon without proper authorization is not.