Knife Laws

The capitol of the United States is not quite as hard on knives as it is on guns. Citizens are still allowed to openly carry or concealed carry the majority of knives so long as they do so with some discretion and are willing to contend with a list of restricted places that is as … Read more

In an outcome that surprises absolutely no one, New York has been, is and likely will remain the most restrictive state in the Union when it comes to the carry and possession of personal weapons. Though the state is infamous for its abiding hatred of guns in citizens’ hands they have spared plenty of ire … Read more

Louisiana is a state with excellent knife laws for its citizens, allowing anyone to own any type of knife they desire and carry it openly, with only a single restriction against the carry of any kind of switchblade, or automatic knife, concealed. Notably, the state statutes exempt assisted opening knives, gravity knives, and other knives … Read more

Kentucky is a solid state for carriers of knives, and you can own pretty much any kind of knife you want while being broadly allowed to carry the same. That being said, you should be aware that the state statutes do introduce some doubt as to what kind of knife you are allowed to carry … Read more

It should be no surprise to anyone even passingly familiar with self-defense concepts that New Jersey ranks as among the very worst states when it comes to ownership and carry of weapons of all kinds. Knives are certainly included. New Jersey’s state statutes are overly long, worded in such a way that officials may spring … Read more

Since a 2016 revision of Wisconsin’s existing legislation governing knives, it is now an excellent, pro-knife state which is sure to thrill knife owners of all stripes. There is no category of knife that is expressly forbidden based on its action, features or any other characteristics, and you can carry any kind of knife at … Read more

South Dakota is an exemplary state for the carry and ownership of knives of all kinds, hampered only by the fact that the state lacks any preemption laws to help keep the legal playing field level across the board as you travel from place to place. As it turns out several towns and cities in … Read more

Virginia is a state that is fairly hostile to the concealed carry of knives, though you can own most types of knives regardless of action, length and other characteristics. Several classes of knife are banned outright: switchblades, throwing stars, oriental darts and ballistic knives. When it comes to concealed carry, though, many varieties of knife … Read more

Florida is a broadly benevolent state when it comes to the ownership and carry of all kinds of knives. You can carry pretty much any kind of knife you want so long as it is carried openly, and a standard concealed weapons permit from the state of Florida, or a recognized permit from another state … Read more

New Hampshire is a remarkably good state for knife ownership and carry since a major overhaul of their laws beginning in the second decade of the 21st millennium. In fact, except for one quibbling potential restriction on knives with integral “D” handguards or knuckleduster handguards you may own and carry absolutely any other kind of … Read more

Vermont is one of the more reasonable states in New England when it comes to the ownership and carry of knives, with very few overarching restrictions on type, length or any other essential characteristics. What is notable is that Vermont is serious about punishing violations of the law, with surprisingly harsh prison terms, and monetary … Read more

South Carolina would be a superb state for knife ownership and carry if it not for one, awful fly in the ointment; a lack of statewide preemption has allowed several of the largest cities and popular tourist destinations to institute local laws against the carry of knives that hardly seem like they belong in a … Read more

Maine is a highly frustrating state for knife owners to live and exist in. Despite some fairly recent advances in one category of their state statutes, in this case the legalization of automatic knives, Maine suffers terribly from laws that are extraordinarily vague, ill-defined and nearly impossible to decipher for the average person, relying instead … Read more

Texas is by and large a solid-state for knife owners, thanks in part to significant revision of their legal code governing knives that saw significant restrictions reduced or eliminated entirely a few years back. Overall, Texas does not spend a great deal of time defining what knives are legal or illegal based on their class … Read more

Missouri is a state that is generally permissive when it comes to knives and knife ownership, but one with troubling restrictions that create two sets of standards for carry depending on whether or not you have a concealed weapons permit. Also the state law covering switchblades is entirely dependent upon federal regulations on the same, … Read more

Utah is a state that is nominally pro-knife, but with major reservations. Their statutes are, quite frankly, highly perilous for the average citizen, consisting of predominantly subjective factors for determining whether or not a knife is legal under a given set of circumstances. Combined with broad definitions, and with Utah’s history of adjudicating against the … Read more

Wyoming is a state that is famous for its cultivated notion of independence and self-reliance, and their knife laws reflect that, even if they do have a few warts. Wyoming does not ban any kind of knife based on its action, length or other characteristics, but the state does run afoul of some poorly worded … Read more

As of press time, Tennessee is one of the very best states for knife owners, if not the best. Tennessee allows you to carry any kind of knife you want openly or concealed without a permit and sturdy statewide preemption statutes mean you can depend upon the state law being the gold standard from east … Read more

West Virginia is a state with dependably solid if flawed laws governing the possession and carry of knives. No type of knife is explicitly banned from ownership in the state, but the state does have some particular restrictions on the carry of knives if it fits into the category of deadly weapon, and the person … Read more

Oregon’s knife laws are broadly consistent with other staunchly liberal states’ laws on the same. They are confusing, unclear, scattered, and too reliant upon legal opinion and precedent derived from actual court proceedings and cases to be useful to the average citizen. Oregon’s knife laws instill restrictions on everything from what kind of knife you … Read more

Minnesota is a state with odd, and seemingly contradictory knife laws. While the Minnesota statutes are quite lengthy, and the intricacy of the wording often gives the impression that a law is more restrictive than it actually is, the state is surprisingly permissive when it comes to the type and style of knives that you … Read more

Ohio is a state with knife laws in an absolutely awful state of repair. Ohio is fairly unique among states in that most types of knives are legal for ownership and you may open carry any knife that is otherwise lawful based on the pertinent features. But by happenstance, lack of attention or deliberate malevolence, … Read more

Most New England states are fairly well-known, some might say infamous, for their stringent laws governing the ownership and carry of weapons, and much of the time, knives are no exception. That is definitely the case in Connecticut compared to much of the South and Southwest, but it is not so draconian as you might … Read more