CJRB Knife Law Lookup

Knife Laws by State

Use this 50-state EDC knife law hub to check pocket knife carry, concealed carry, blade-length notes, restricted places, and source links before you carry, buy, or travel.

Get the 50-State Cheatsheet Browse States

Quick state lookup

Choose a state 50 states
Generally allowed Allowed with caution Restricted / check first
Generally allowed

Pocket knife carry

Usually the clearest everyday-carry category, but state wording varies.

Allowed with caution

Concealed carry

Age, permit rules, knife type, intent, and law-enforcement contact may matter.

Restricted / check first

Sensitive places

Schools, courts, airports, public events, government buildings, and private property need extra review.

What Each State Guide Answers

Every state page starts with a direct carry matrix, then shows the legal sources behind each answer.

Decision What the page summarizes Why users care
Can I carry this knife? Pocket knives, folding knives, fixed blades, automatic knives, OTF knives, balisongs, and blade length when source law addresses them. Gives a fast carry answer before the legal detail.
Can I carry concealed? Age limits, permitless carry notes, duty-to-inform rules, and deadly-weapon wording. Concealed carry is where many state pages need precision.
Where should I not carry? Schools, polling places, public events, public establishments, airports, courts, federal property, employers, and private property. Place-based restrictions often matter more than knife type.
What is the source? Justia statute links beside the relevant summary. Users can verify the source instead of relying on a blog claim.

State Selector

Pick a state to open its source-linked EDC knife law guide.

West

AKCAHIIDMTNVORWAWY

Southwest

AZCONMOKTXUT

Midwest

IAILINKSMIMNMONDNEOHSDWI

South

ALARDCDEFLGAKYLAMDMSNCSCTNVAWV

Northeast

CTMAMENHNJNYPARIVT

Browse Knife Laws by State

Scan the state-by-state summary first, then open the full source-linked guide for details.

Alabama AL Allowed with caution Ordinary pocketknife carry is lower risk, but concealed bowie-style knives and schools need review. Alaska AK Generally allowed Adult carry is generally favorable, with caution for concealed deadly-weapon duties, minors, schools, and residences. Arizona AZ Generally allowed Adults 21+ may carry any knife concealed; under 21 should treat concealed carry as pocket-knife only. Arkansas AR Generally allowed Ordinary EDC is usually lower risk unless carried with unlawful weapon purpose; 3-inch definition matters. California CA Restricted / check first Strict rules for switchblades, concealed dirks/daggers, schools, public buildings, and local ordinances. Colorado CO Allowed with caution Watch concealed blades over 3.5 inches, schools/campuses, and Denver local restrictions. Connecticut CT Restricted / check first Four-inch edged blades, switch/auto knives over 1.5 inches, dirks, and stilettos are high caution. Delaware DE Allowed with caution Closed ordinary pocketknives up to 3.75 inches are lower risk; other concealed knives can be deadly weapons. Florida FL Allowed with caution Common pocketknives are lower risk; concealed carry, schools, and ballistic self-propelled knives need review. Georgia GA Generally allowed Knives at or under 12 inches are generally lower risk, but schools, government buildings, and private rules matter. Hawaii HI Restricted / check first Switchblades, gravity knives, butterfly knives, dirks, and daggers are strict or restricted categories. Idaho ID Generally allowed Knife carry is generally favorable with state preemption; check concealed weapon eligibility and schools. Illinois IL Restricted / check first Switchblades, ballistic knives, intent rules, schools, and Chicago local knife rules create higher risk. Indiana IN Generally allowed Ordinary knives are generally permissive; Chinese throwing stars and school property are restricted. Iowa IA Allowed with caution Blades over 5 inches, switchblades, daggers, stilettos, and ballistic knives can trigger dangerous/offensive weapon rules. Kansas KS Generally allowed Knife carry is generally favorable with preemption; unlawful-use intent is the main state-law risk. Kentucky KY Generally allowed Ordinary pocket and hunting knives are lower risk; concealed deadly-weapon eligibility and schools still matter. Louisiana LA Allowed with caution No simple blade-length cap, but concealed dangerous-weapon treatment and school/firearm-free zones matter. Maine ME Allowed with caution Dangerous-knife possession was repealed, but concealed bowie/dirk/stiletto rules still apply. Maryland MD Restricted / check first Penknives without switchblades are lower risk; concealed dangerous weapons and switchblade sales are restricted. Massachusetts MA Restricted / check first Many listed knives are restricted, including stilettos, daggers, dirks, double-edged blades, and autos over 1.5 inches. Michigan MI Allowed with caution Many ordinary knives are allowed, but concealed/vehicle carry of daggers, dirks, stilettos, and double-edged nonfolding knives is risky. Minnesota MN Restricted / check first Automatic switchblades are prohibited; courthouse, state-building, school, park, and public-housing zones need review. Mississippi MS Allowed with caution Open ordinary carry is lower risk; concealed bowie, dirk, butcher, and switchblade knives need review. Missouri MO Allowed with caution Concealed knives readily capable of lethal use and threatening display create the main carry risk. Montana MT Generally allowed Adult knife carry is generally favorable; open carry is protected, but schools and prohibited-person rules matter. Nebraska NE Restricted / check first Knives over 3.5 inches, concealed carry, vehicle availability, and school rules need careful review. Nevada NV Allowed with caution Most knives are allowed, but concealed machetes/dangerous weapons, schools, and local rules can restrict carry. New Hampshire NH Generally allowed Ordinary knife carry is generally favorable, and state authority covers knife regulation. New Jersey NJ Restricted / check first Switchblades, gravity knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, and ballistic knives require clear lawful-purpose analysis. New Mexico NM Restricted / check first Switchblades, gravity/centrifugal-opening knives, butterfly knives, and concealed deadly weapons are high caution. New York NY Restricted / check first Listed knife types, unlawful-use presumptions, NYC four-inch/public-view rules, transit, and schools create high risk. North Carolina NC Allowed with caution Ordinary pocketknife exception helps, but concealed bowie/dirk/dagger-style weapons and schools are restricted. North Dakota ND Allowed with caution Visible ordinary carry is lower risk; concealed dangerous-weapon and vehicle-availability rules need review. Ohio OH Generally allowed Ordinary knives are favorable when not used as weapons; local knife regulation is preempted. Oklahoma OK Generally allowed Proper knife use for self-defense, hunting, fishing, education, or recreation is recognized; places still matter. Oregon OR Restricted / check first Concealed spring/centrifugal knives, dirks, daggers, and Portland park rules create higher risk. Pennsylvania PA Allowed with caution Ordinary EDC is more permissive after updates, but intent, schools, courts, Philadelphia, and local rules matter. Rhode Island RI Restricted / check first Concealed knives over 3 inches and listed cutting/stabbing weapons are high caution. South Carolina SC Allowed with caution Ordinary carry is lower risk; concealed deadly weapons and school blades over 2 inches need review. South Dakota SD Generally allowed No broad statewide knife ban found; dangerous-weapon use and school property are the main risks. Tennessee TN Generally allowed Ordinary knife carry is favorable after old restrictions were removed; schools and unlawful conduct still matter. Texas TX Allowed with caution Location-restricted knives and schools/posted places are the main issue; ordinary pocket carry is lower risk. Utah UT Generally allowed Ordinary knives are favorable with knife preemption; prohibited persons, schools, and secure areas matter. Vermont VT Allowed with caution No broad blade-length cap found, but school buses, buildings, and property have dangerous-weapon restrictions. Virginia VA Allowed with caution No simple blade cap, but concealed carry of listed knives like dirks, bowies, stilettos, machetes, and razors is restricted. Washington WA Restricted / check first Spring blade knives, furtive concealed dangerous weapons, and Seattle fixed/3.5-inch rules create higher risk. West Virginia WV Allowed with caution Definitions for knife, switchblade, gravity knife, concealed, and schools are important before carry. Wisconsin WI Generally allowed Knife carry is generally favorable after the switchblade repeal, but firearm-prohibited persons and schools matter. Wyoming WY Generally allowed Ordinary carry is generally favorable; concealed deadly weapons, unlawful intent, and restricted places need review.

Get the 50-State Knife Law Cheatsheet

Join the CJRB list and receive the state-by-state EDC knife law checklist with status labels, source links, and legal-risk reminders.

You can unsubscribe at any time. This cheatsheet is educational only and is not legal advice.

Important: This guide is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Knife laws can change, and local, federal, school, airport, court, government-building, workplace, event, and private-property rules may add restrictions. Always review the linked source and consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.

Related CJRB Guides

TSA Knife Rules OTF Knife Laws Pocket Knives EDC Knives