Know Before You Carry

Knife Laws by State

Knife law in America is a patchwork: switchblades are now legal in 38 states, butterfly knives are banned in a handful, and concealed-carry blade limits range from none at all to 3 inches. This guide compares every state at a glance; click any state for the full picture, including local-ordinance traps like New York City, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

For the deeper story behind these rules, read our guide to knife laws in America and our breakdown of why butterfly knives are illegal in some states.

This is general information, not legal advice. Statuses reviewed September 2026. Laws change and cities may add stricter rules; verify the current statute or consult a lawyer before buying or carrying.

Legal Restricted Prohibited

State	Switchblades	Butterfly Knives	Concealed Blade Limit	Preemption
Alabama	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Alaska	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Arizona	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Arkansas	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
California	Restricted	Restricted	No statewide limit, but cities add rules (Los Angeles bans openly carrying blades 3 inches or longer in public).	No
Colorado	Legal	Legal	3.5 inches concealed	No
Connecticut	Restricted	Restricted	4 inches carried	No
Delaware	Prohibited	Restricted	3 inches for the concealed pocket-knife exemption	No
Florida	Legal	Legal	About 4 inches for the pocketknife exemption	No
Georgia	Legal	Legal	12 inches without a license	Yes
Hawaii	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Idaho	Legal	Legal	6 inches for the deadly-weapon definition	No
Illinois	Restricted	Legal	3 inches in public buildings and similar locations	No
Indiana	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Iowa	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Kansas	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Kentucky	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Louisiana	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Maine	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Maryland	Restricted	Restricted	None statewide	No
Massachusetts	Legal	Restricted	None statewide	No
Michigan	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Minnesota	Prohibited	Legal	None statewide	No
Mississippi	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Missouri	Legal	Legal	4 inches for the pocket-knife safe harbor	No
Montana	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Nebraska	Legal	Legal	3.5 inches concealed	No
Nevada	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
New Hampshire	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
New Jersey	Prohibited	Prohibited	None statewide	No
New Mexico	Prohibited	Prohibited	None statewide	No
New York	Restricted	Legal	4 inches in New York City	No
North Carolina	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
North Dakota	Legal	Legal	6 inches concealed without a license	No
Ohio	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Oklahoma	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Oregon	Restricted	Restricted	None statewide	No
Pennsylvania	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Rhode Island	Restricted	Restricted	3 inches concealed	No
South Carolina	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
South Dakota	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Tennessee	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Texas	Legal	Legal	5.5 inches for location-restricted status	Yes
Utah	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Vermont	Legal	Legal	None statewide	No
Virginia	Legal	Restricted	None statewide	No
Washington	Prohibited	Legal	None statewide	No
West Virginia	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Wisconsin	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes
Wyoming	Legal	Legal	None statewide	Yes

Carry Legal, Carry Hand-Forged

Every Louis Martin blade is forged and finished in our own shop and shipped from New York with free US shipping. Browse pocket knives and everyday carry pieces that stay on the right side of the strictest states, or the full collection if your state gives you room to roam.