Are Automatic Opening Knives Allowed in My State?
Also know as auto-open, switch knives and switch blades, automatically opening knives have a variety of different regulations on carry, manufacture, and sale that differ from state to state. We’re here to help you figure out if automatic knives are allowed in your state. There is a fantastic resource over at the American Knife and Tool Institue which goes deeper on the regulations in each specific state.
The information below is meant as a reference for our customers to help them decide if they should order an automatic knife product. This is not meant to be legal advice.
The Following States Do Not Prohibit Automatic Knives:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (There is a maximum blade length of 2”)
- Colorado (There is a maximum blade length of 3.5″ for concealed carry)
- Connecticut (There is a maximum blade length of 1.5”)
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois (You must have a valid Firearms Owner Identification Card)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky (You must have a valid weapons license)
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts (There is a maximum blade length of 1.5”)
- Michigan (Out-the-Front and Double Edge Automatics are still prohibited)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina (Concealed carry knives are not recommended)
- North Dakota (There is a maximum blade length of 5”)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (There is a maximum blade length of 3”)
- Washington (Manufacture is allowed, but only law enforcement and emergency personnel may carry)
- West Virginia (You must have a valid weapons license)
- Wisconsin
The Following States (or Areas) Do Prohibit Automatic Knives
- Chicago, IL
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Los Angeles, CA
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- San Francisco, CA
- Virginia
White Mountian Knives is not permitted to ship any automatic knives internationally or to US territories.
Federal Restrictions on Automatic Knives
Per federal statues, we request that you read and understand the following requirements. We also ask that our customers agree to these requirements before purchasing any automatic knife from White Mountain Knives
Federal law prohibits shipment of automatic knives across state lines, exceptions to this statute inculde:
- To civilian or Armed Forces supply or procurement officers and employees of the Federal Government ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of the Federal Government.
- Active Armed Forces member or employee acting in the performance of his or her duty.
- To supply or procurement officers of the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or militia of a State, Territory or the District of Columbia ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in the connection with the activities of such organization.
- To supply or procurement officers or employees of the municipal government of the District of Columbia or the government of a State or Territory, or any county, city or other political subdivision of a State or Territory.
- To manufacturers of such knives or bona fide dealers therein in connection with any shipment made pursuant of an order from any person designated in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4.
White Mountain Knives cannot sell an automatic knife to any customer unless that sale is made in compliance with one or more of the conditions listed above.
