Are Butterfly Knives Legal? State-by-State Laws (2026)

Quick Answer

Butterfly Knives is legal in 39 states as of 2026. It's banned in 1 state and restricted with conditions in 10. Laws vary significantly — what's perfectly fine in one state can carry criminal penalties next door.

39 Legal

10 Restricted

1 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Butterfly Knives Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to possess and carry in Alabama. Carrying a butterfly knife with intent to do bodily harm is ...	Details →
Alaska	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Alaska with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signif...	Details →
Arizona	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Arizona with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →
Arkansas	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Arkansas with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in California, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. In August 2023, the 9t...	Details →
Colorado	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Colorado with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Connecticut	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives with blades 4 inches or shorter are legal to carry in Connecticut. Carrying a butterfly knife with a bl...	Details →
Delaware	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Delaware with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. Automat...	Details →
Florida	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Florida with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →
Georgia	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Georgia with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →
Hawaii	ILLEGAL	Butterfly knives are illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture in Hawaii.	Details →
Idaho	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Idaho with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signifi...	Details →
Illinois	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Illinois with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Indiana	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Indiana with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →
Iowa	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Iowa with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signific...	Details →
Kansas	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Kansas with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signif...	Details →
Kentucky	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Kentucky with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Louisiana	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Louisiana with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. In 202...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Maine with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signifi...	Details →
Maryland	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Maryland with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Massachusetts	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Massachusetts with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. A ...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to own and open carry in Michigan, but carrying them concealed is a felony.	Details →
Minnesota	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Minnesota with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sig...	Details →
Mississippi	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Mississippi with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No s...	Details →
Missouri	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Missouri with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Montana	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Montana with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. The most...	Details →
Nebraska	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Nebraska with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Nevada	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Nevada with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signif...	Details →
New Hampshire	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in New Hampshire with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No...	Details →
New Jersey	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in New Jersey with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No si...	Details →
New Mexico	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in New Mexico, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. No significant legisla...	Details →
New York	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in New York, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. The 2019 repeal of the g...	Details →
North Carolina	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in North Carolina with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. N...	Details →
North Dakota	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in North Dakota with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No ...	Details →
Ohio	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Ohio with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. Senate Bill...	Details →
Oklahoma	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Oklahoma with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in Oregon, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. No significant legislative...	Details →
Pennsylvania	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Pennsylvania with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No ...	Details →
Rhode Island	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Rhode Island with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No ...	Details →
South Carolina	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in South Carolina with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. N...	Details →
South Dakota	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in South Dakota with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No ...	Details →
Tennessee	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Tennessee with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sig...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in Texas, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. No significant legislative ...	Details →
Utah	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in Utah, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. No significant legislative c...	Details →
Vermont	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Vermont with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →
Virginia	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Virginia with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No sign...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in Washington, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. No significant legisla...	Details →
West Virginia	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in West Virginia with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Butterfly knives are legal to possess in Wisconsin, but concealed carry is generally prohibited. The most significant re...	Details →
Wyoming	LEGAL	Butterfly knives are legal to own and carry in Wyoming with no specific restrictions beyond general knife laws. No signi...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Butterfly Knives legal in the United States?

How many states allow butterfly knives?

As of 2026, butterfly knives is legal in 39 states, restricted with conditions in 10 states, and illegal in 1 state. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with butterfly knives in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with butterfly knives?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If butterfly knives is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. This applies to driving, flying, and shipping.