Reviewed September 2026
Georgia Knife Laws
In Georgia, switchblades are legal and butterfly knives are legal. Knives with blades over 12 inches require a weapons carry license to carry. The blade limit to know: 12 inches without a license.
Automatic knives are legal.
Butterfly knives are legal.
Knives with blades over 12 inches require a weapons carry license to carry.
Georgia has statewide preemption: cities and counties cannot pass stricter knife laws than the state. Preemption since 2012; the 12-inch line is among the most generous in the country.
Not legal advice. Statuses reviewed September 2026 from state statutes and reputable trackers. Laws change; verify the current statute or consult a lawyer before buying or carrying. See the full 50-state comparison.
The Law in Detail
Key statutes: O.C.G.A. §§16-11-136, 16-11-127.1
Georgia only regulates knives with blades over 12 inches, one of the most generous thresholds in the country, and §16-11-136 preempts local ordinances for statewide uniformity. Carrying a restricted knife without a weapons license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and one year, while carrying a blade of two inches or more in a school safety zone under §16-11-127.1 is a felony for unlicensed carriers. The statutory knife definition requires a design "for the purpose of offense and defense," which arguably leaves long kitchen and agricultural blades outside the law.
Georgia Knife Law FAQ
Are switchblades legal in Georgia?
Are butterfly knives legal in Georgia?
Is it legal to carry a knife in Georgia?
What size knife can you legally carry in Georgia?
Traveling Through?
Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.
Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to Georgia
Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US, including right here in Georgia. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.