Are Switchblades Legal? Laws in All 50 States (2026)

Quick Answer

Switchblades / Automatic Knives is legal in 19 states as of 2026. It's banned in 14 states and restricted with conditions in 17. Laws vary significantly — what's perfectly fine in one state can carry criminal penalties next door.

19 Legal

17 Restricted

14 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Switchblades / Automatic Knives Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	ILLEGAL	In Alabama, switchblades (automatic knives) are generally prohibited under Ala. Code § 13A-11-50. Possession and sale of...	Details →
Alaska	RESTRICTED	Switchblades are legal to possess and carry for adults in Alaska, but it is a felony to provide a switchblade to a perso...	Details →
Arizona	RESTRICTED	Switchblades are legal to possess and carry in Arizona for adults 21 and older. Persons under 21 may not carry a conceal...	Details →
Arkansas	ILLEGAL	Arkansas prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of switchblades under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-120. Exceptions exis...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	California prohibits possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblades with blades longer than 2 inches under Cal. Penal...	Details →
Colorado	LEGAL	Colorado does not prohibit switchblades or automatic knives. Possession, sale, and carry are legal for persons 18 and ol...	Details →
Connecticut	ILLEGAL	Connecticut prohibits switchblades under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-206d. Possession, sale, and manufacture are illegal excep...	Details →
Delaware	ILLEGAL	Delaware prohibits switchblades under 11 Del. C. § 1448. Possession, sale, and manufacture are illegal except for law en...	Details →
Florida	LEGAL	Florida law permits the ownership and open carry of most knives, including switchblades and other automatic knives. The ...	Details →
Georgia	ILLEGAL	Georgia prohibits switchblades under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121. Possession, sale, and manufacture are illegal except for law ...	Details →
Hawaii	ILLEGAL	Hawaii prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives under Hawaii Revised Statutes §134-51. Swit...	Details →
Idaho	LEGAL	Idaho law does not specifically prohibit switchblade knives. According to Idaho Code §18-3302, switchblades are not list...	Details →
Illinois	ILLEGAL	Illinois prohibits switchblade knives under 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(10). Possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblades ar...	Details →
Indiana	RESTRICTED	Indiana law (IC 35-47-5-2) prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives with blades over 3 inch...	Details →
Iowa	RESTRICTED	Iowa Code §724.4 prohibits switchblade knives with blades over 3 inches. Possession and sale of switchblades exceeding t...	Details →
Kansas	LEGAL	Kansas law does not specifically prohibit switchblade knives. Under K.S.A. 21-6301, switchblades are not listed as prohi...	Details →
Kentucky	RESTRICTED	Kentucky law (KRS 527.020) prohibits switchblade knives with blades longer than 3 inches. Possession, sale, and manufact...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Louisiana Revised Statutes §14:95.6 prohibits switchblade knives with blades longer than 2 inches. Possession, sale, and...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Maine law does not specifically prohibit switchblade knives. There are no state statutes banning possession or sale of s...	Details →
Maryland	ILLEGAL	Maryland Criminal Law Code §4-101 prohibits switchblade knives. Possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblades are il...	Details →
Massachusetts	ILLEGAL	In Massachusetts, switchblades (automatic knives) are generally prohibited under M.G.L. c. 269, § 10(h), which bans poss...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Michigan law (MCL 750.224) prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of switchblade knives with blades longer than ...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Minnesota Statutes § 624.712 restrict possession and sale of switchblade knives. Switchblades with blades over 2.5 inche...	Details →
Mississippi	LEGAL	Mississippi law does not specifically prohibit the possession, sale, or carry of switchblade or automatic knives. There ...	Details →
Missouri	LEGAL	Switchblades are legal to possess and carry openly or concealed in Missouri. Unlawful use of a switchblade is a Class E ...	Details →
Montana	LEGAL	Montana law does not specifically restrict switchblade knives. Possession, sale, and carry of automatic knives are legal...	Details →
Nebraska	ILLEGAL	Nebraska law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1205) prohibits the possession, sale, or manufacture of switchblade knives. Automatic...	Details →
Nevada	LEGAL	Nevada law does not prohibit the possession, sale, or carry of switchblade knives. Automatic knives are legal to own and...	Details →
New Hampshire	RESTRICTED	New Hampshire RSA 159:3 prohibits the possession and sale of switchblade knives with blades longer than 1.5 inches. Auto...	Details →
New Jersey	ILLEGAL	New Jersey law (N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-3) prohibits possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives. Switchblades ar...	Details →
New Mexico	RESTRICTED	In New Mexico, switchblades or automatic knives are legal to possess and carry. There are no specific state statutes pro...	Details →
New York	ILLEGAL	New York prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives under Penal Law § 265.01(1). Switchblades...	Details →
North Carolina	LEGAL	North Carolina law does not specifically prohibit switchblades or automatic knives. Possession, sale, and carry of switc...	Details →
North Dakota	LEGAL	North Dakota does not have any specific laws banning switchblades or automatic knives. Possession and sale are legal, an...	Details →
Ohio	LEGAL	Ohio law does not prohibit the possession, sale, or carry of switchblades or automatic knives. Ohio Revised Code § 2923....	Details →
Oklahoma	LEGAL	Oklahoma law permits the possession, sale, and carry of switchblades and automatic knives. There are no state statutes r...	Details →
Oregon	ILLEGAL	Oregon law prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives under ORS 166.240. Switchblades with bl...	Details →
Pennsylvania	LEGAL	Pennsylvania repealed its ban on possession and carry of switchblades in 2023. Switchblades are legal to own and carry, ...	Details →
Rhode Island	ILLEGAL	Rhode Island prohibits the possession, sale, and manufacture of switchblade knives under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-42. Swit...	Details →
South Carolina	LEGAL	South Carolina law does not specifically prohibit switchblades or automatic knives. Possession, sale, and carry of switc...	Details →
South Dakota	RESTRICTED	South Dakota law does not specifically prohibit the possession, sale, or carry of switchblades or automatic knives. Ther...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Tennessee law restricts switchblades under its knife laws. Switchblades with blades longer than 4 inches are illegal to ...	Details →
Texas	LEGAL	Texas law allows possession, sale, and carry of switchblades (automatic knives) without restriction. The Texas Penal Cod...	Details →
Utah	LEGAL	Utah law restricts the possession and carry of switchblades with blades longer than 3 inches under Utah Code § 76-10-507...	Details →
Vermont	LEGAL	Vermont does not have specific laws restricting switchblades or automatic knives. Possession, sale, and carry of switchb...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Switchblades are legal to possess in Virginia. Code § 18.2-308.1. Switchblades with blades over 3 inches are illegal to ...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Switchblades are legal to possess in Washington under RCW 9.41.250. Switchblades with blades longer than 3 inches are il...	Details →
West Virginia	RESTRICTED	West Virginia law restricts switchblades under W. Va. Code § 61-7-11. Switchblades with blades longer than 3 inches are ...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Switchblades are legal to possess in Wisconsin. Stat. § 941.24. Switchblades with blades longer than 3 inches are illega...	Details →
Wyoming	LEGAL	Wyoming law does not specifically restrict switchblades or automatic knives. Possession, sale, and carry of switchblades...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Switchblades / Automatic Knives legal in the United States?

How many states allow switchblades / automatic knives?

As of 2026, switchblades / automatic knives is legal in 19 states, restricted with conditions in 17 states, and illegal in 14 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with switchblades / automatic 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 switchblades / automatic knives?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If switchblades / automatic 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.