Switchblade Laws By State.

Following is a collection of switchblade laws by state.

Please keep in mind that these laws apply only to legal adults with clean criminal records and in regards to standardized bladed weapons. They do not apply to minors, people with a criminal record, or xiphoids, or any unusual variation of automatic blade.

Regardless of what the laws say, no xiphoid will be considered a legal weapon in the eyes of the law. The law is much more complicated than a simple yes, no, sometimes. In many states, even with lenient weapon laws, possession and/or use of one outside the confines of your home can open you up to legal liability. In some cases even if use such a weapon in your own home for self defense, you may still not be on legal safe ground.

PLEASE! Be responsible and relegate any automatics/xiphoids you may make to hobby/reproduction/prop status only. Do NOT use them for self defense. Do NOT show them off or threaten your neighbors with them, even from your own porch or back yard. And whatever you do, Do NOT take them outside the confines of your home. We take no responsibility for anything that may happen to you should you choose to ignore this friendly advice....

Below are the laws regarding switchblades for each state. The source is the November 1998 issue of Tactical Knives. Be sure and check with the state governments to get the latest information. Also check out the Federal Switchblade Act for Federal rules and regulations

State Possession Legal? Carry Legal?
Alabama Y Y3
Alaska N N
Arizona Y Y
Arkansas Y Y2
California Y N
Colorado N N
Connecticut N N
Delaware N Y3,4
Florida Y Y
Georgia Y N
Hawaii N N
Idaho Y Y3
Illinois N N
Indiana N N
Iowa Y Y
Kansas N N
Kentucky Y Y3
Louisiana N N
Maine N N
Maryland Y Y3
Massachusetts N N
Michigan N N
Minnesota Y1 N
Mississippi Y N
Missouri Y1 N
Montana Y1 N
Nebraska Y Y3
Nevada N N
NewHampshire N N
NewJersey N N
NewMexico N N
NewYork N N
NorthCarolina Y Y3
NorthDakota Y Y3
Ohio Y Y
Oklahoma Y N
Oregon Y Y3
Pennsylvania Y1 N
Rhode Island Y N
South Carolina Y N
South Dakota Y Y
Tennessee N N
Texas Y1 N
Utah Y Y3
Vermont N N
Virginia Y Y3,4
Washington N N
West Virginia Y Y3,4
Wisconsin N N
Wyoming Y N


1Possession banned, but exception made for collectors and/or possession as curios or antiques
2Carry allowed if blade is under 3.5 inches
3Carry allowed if not concealed
4Concealed Carry allowed with permit or license

As a reminder, Please do NOT take this list at it's face value. It is meant as a guide, and other laws may supersede these. Please do not take any unnecessary chances. Stay safe, and keep your toys where they belong. In your (preferably locked) display cabinet, or your toybox... :)

Srry for bringing a topic from the dead but I love any Y3s. A hidden blade is legal to carry as long as it's not hidden.

davme_mcreg wrote:

A hidden blade is legal to carry as long as it's not hidden.

Um......

As far as I can tell there is no reason why a Spring-Assisted FOLDING knife on a wrist slide would not be legal.
It's just a strange way to carry a knife but not illegal.

Any state that it's legal to carry a switchblade concealed you could carry it on a wristband.
Who said it needs to be carried in a pocket?!?

But what do I know?????

Be careful....I'm not bailing you out.

..It was supposed to be a joke, hidden blade not hidden... Ahh never mind.

Don't worry, I got it :)

Good to know.

well its never stopped me from getting my switch blades in jersey

interesting, never knew the stipulations on carrying laws

says here in Oregon it's a Y3, but if a cop sees you with a switchblade, wouldn't you be in trouble anyways?