Knife Laws By State 2026

Concealed Carry Knife Laws by State

Concealed carry rules for knives vary widely across the United States. Some states allow most knives to be carried concealed with few restrictions, while others limit concealed carry based on blade length, knife type, or the intended use of the weapon. In several states, only ordinary pocket knives may be carried concealed.

Other states impose more specific limits. For example, some restrict concealed carry of knives with blades longer than certain lengths, while others prohibit carrying particular knife types such as daggers, dirks, switchblades, or ballistic knives. These rules create significant variation in how knives may legally be carried from one state to another.

States With Knife Law Preemption

Some states have adopted knife law preemption, which prevents cities and counties from creating their own knife regulations that differ from state law. These laws help ensure that knife regulations remain consistent statewide rather than varying from one municipality to another.

States with statewide knife law preemption include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In these states, local governments generally cannot impose additional knife restrictions beyond those established by state law.

States With Local Knife Ordinances

In some states, cities and counties maintain their own knife regulations in addition to statewide laws. These local ordinances may impose additional limits on blade length, restrict certain knife types, or regulate where knives can be carried within city boundaries.

States where major cities maintain their own knife ordinances include Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Washington. In these states, knife regulations may vary between municipalities, meaning rules that apply in one city may differ from those in another.

Age Restrictions for Knife Possession

Most states do not impose broad age limits on knife possession. However, some states restrict the sale or transfer of certain knives to minors, particularly weapons such as switchblades, dirks, or bowie knives.

States with notable age-related restrictions include Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and New York, where possession or transfer of certain knives may be limited for individuals under specific ages. In some states, minors may still possess knives with parental permission or for lawful activities such as hunting, fishing, or utility work.

Knife Restrictions on School Grounds

Nearly every state restricts knives on school property. These laws are designed to limit the presence of weapons in educational settings and typically prohibit knives on school grounds, school buses, and at school-sponsored events.

In most states—including Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas—knives are generally prohibited on school property regardless of blade length. Some states allow limited exceptions, such as small folding knives, tools used for educational purposes, or knives carried with administrative permission.

Commonly Restricted Knife Types and Blade Limits

Many states regulate specific types of knives or impose limits on blade length. Commonly restricted knives include switchblades, ballistic knives, daggers, dirks, and other concealed stabbing weapons. Some states also regulate gravity knives or butterfly knives.

Blade-length restrictions also appear in certain states, particularly for concealed carry or automatic knives. For example, some jurisdictions limit blades to lengths such as three inches, three and a half inches, or five inches depending on how the knife is carried or used. These rules vary widely and often apply alongside broader restrictions on knife types.