Knife Laws By State

Customer Responsibility

At Valor Defense Gear, we emphasize that it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws regarding knife ownership and use. Knife laws vary by jurisdiction, and they can change frequently. Before purchasing any knife from us, please thoroughly research your local regulations. By purchasing a knife, you affirm that you are over 18 years old and in compliance with applicable laws.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended as a general guide. Valor Defense Gear is not responsible for inaccuracies or changes in the law. Always verify local laws before purchasing or carrying any knife.

Automatic Knife Laws ** Note it is the buyers responsibility to know and understand any current laws for the state they are in. Some states group Balisong knives into the automatic knife category.

StatePrivate OwnershipSaleOpen CarryConcealed CarryBalisong considered same thing?
US Federal LawLegalIllegal when sold over state lines or imported from outside the USLegalLegalYes
AlabamaLegalLegalLegalLegal
AlaskaLegalLegalLegalLegal
ArizonaLegalLegalLegalLegal if over 21 years old
ArkansasLegalLegalLegalLegal
CaliforniaLegalLegal if blade is <2″Legal if blade is <2″Legal if blade is <2″Yes
ColoradoLegalLegalLegalLegal if blade is <3.5″No
ConnecticutLegalLegalLegal if blade is ≤1.5″Legal if blade is ≤1.5″No
DelawareIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
District of ColumbiaIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
FloridaLegalLegalLegalIllegal (Legal with gun permit)N/A
GeorgiaLegalLegal (if over 18)Legal if blade is ≤5″ (any length with gun permit)Legal if blade is ≤5″ (any length with gun permit)
HawaiiIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
IdahoLegalLegalLegalLegal if blade is ≤4″No
IllinoisLegal with FOID CardLegalLegal with FOID CardLegal with FOID CardNo
IndianaLegalLegalLegalLegalNo
IowaLegalLegalLegalLegal if blade is ≤5″No
KansasLegalLegalLegalLegal
KentuckyLegalLegalLegalIllegal (Legal with gun permit)
LouisianaLegalLegalLegalIllegalNo
MaineLegalLegalLegalIllegalNo
MarylandLegalIllegalLegalIllegalNo
MassachusettsLegalLegalIllegalIllegalNo
MichiganLegalLegalVague1Vague*No
MinnesotaIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
MississippiLegalLegalLegalIllegalNo
MissouriLegalLegalLegalIllegal (Legal with gun permit)Yes
MontanaIllegal (ex. Curio or blade is ≤1.5″)Illegal (ex. Curio or blade is ≤1.5″)IllegalIllegalNo
NebraskaLegalLegalLegalLegal if blade is ≤3.5″
NevadaLegalLegalLegalLegalNo
New HampshireLegalLegalLegalLegalNo
New JerseyIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
New MexicoIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalYes
New YorkIllegal2Illegal*Illegal*Illegal*No
North CarolinaLegalLegalLegalIllegalNo
North DakotaLegalLegalLegalIllegal
OhioLegalIllegalLegalIllegalNo
OklahomaLegalLegalLegalLegal
OregonLegalLegalLegalIllegalYes
PennsylvaniaIllegal (ex. Curio)Illegal (ex. Curio)IllegalIllegalNo
Rhode IslandLegalLegalLegalLegal if blade is ≤3″No
South CarolinaLegalLegalLegalLegal
South DakotaLegalLegalLegalLegal
TennesseeLegalLegalLegalLegalYes
TexasLegalLegalLegalLegalYes
UtahLegalLegalLegalSituationalYes
VermontLegalLegal if blade is <3″LegalLegalNo
VirginiaIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalNo
WashingtonIllegalIllegalIllegalIllegalYes
West VirginiaLegalLegalLegalLegal if over 21 years oldNo
WisconsinLegalLegalLegalLegal (if one legally can possess a firearm)
WyomingLegalLegalLegalSituational

Additional Knife Laws By State Blade Length **County, city, and jurisdiction laws may vary. This is not legal advice or a waiver of compliance to new, updated, or local laws.

US StateKnife Length LimitExceptions and
Considerations		Penalties
AlabamaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
AlaskaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
ArizonaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Arkansas3.5 inches blade length.None identified.N/A
California– 2.5 inches blade length for folding knives
– 3 inches blade length for fixed blades.		Certain cities and local jurisdictions may
have stricter regulations.		Misdemeanor charge with potential fines and imprisonment.
ColoradoNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Connecticut4 inches blade length.None identified.Class B misdemeanor with potential fines and imprisonment.
Delaware– 3 inches blade length for folding knives
– 3.5 inches blade length for fixed blades.		None identified.N/A
FloridaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
GeorgiaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Hawaii3 inches blade length.None identified.Misdemeanor charge with potential fines and imprisonment.
IdahoNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Illinois– 3 inches blade length for folding knives
– 2.5 inches blade length for automatic knives.		Certain cities and local jurisdictions may have
stricter regulations.		Misdemeanor charge with potential fines
and imprisonment.
IndianaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
IowaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
KansasNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
KentuckyNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
LouisianaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
MaineNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Maryland– 3 inches blade length for folding knives
– 4 inches blade length for automatic knives.		Some cities and local jurisdictions have stricter regulations.Misdemeanor charge
with potential fines
and imprisonment.
Massachusetts– 2.5 inches blade length for folding knives
– 1.5 inches blade length for automatic knives.		None identified.Misdemeanor charge
with possible fines
and imprisonment,
or both.
MichiganNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
MinnesotaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
MississippiNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
MissouriNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
MontanaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
NebraskaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
NevadaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
New HampshireNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
New Jersey– 3 inches blade length for folding knives
– 2.5 inches blade length for fixed blades.		Certain cities and
local jurisdictions
can have
stricter regulations.		A disorderly person
offense,
with potential fines
and imprisonment.
New MexicoNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
New York4 inches blade length.Certain cities and
local jurisdictions
have stricter regulations.		Misdemeanor charge
with potential fines
and imprisonment.
North CarolinaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
North DakotaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
OhioNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
OklahomaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
OregonNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
PennsylvaniaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
Rhode Island3 inches blade length.None identified.Misdemeanor charge
with potential fines
and imprisonment.
South CarolinaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
South DakotaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
TennesseeNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
TexasNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
UtahNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
VermontNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
VirginiaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
WashingtonNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
West VirginiaNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
WisconsinNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
WyomingNo specific limit is defined.None identified.N/A
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