WTTKNIVES

OTF State Laws
The following states do NOT prohibit auto-open (also referred to as automatic, switchblade or switch knife) for non-law enforcement citizens.  Check State Knife Laws for specific details on possession, carry, manufacturer or sale as some restrictions may apply in a specific state.  See the list below for blade length restrictions. Data is compiled by the nonprofit association, American Knife and Tool Institute, and can be found here.
  1. Alabama*
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona*
  4. Arkansas*
  5. California (less than 2″ blade length limitation)
  6. Colorado (effective approximately Aug. 9, 2017; concealed carry maximum length 3-1/2″)
  7. Connecticut (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  8. Florida*
  9. Georgia*
  10. Idaho*
  11. Illinois (effective Aug. 11, 2017, with valid Firearms Owner’s Identification Card FOID)
  12. Indiana
  13. Iowa*
  14. Kansas (since 2013)
  15. Kentucky (if at least 21 years old)*
  16. Louisiana (effective August 1, 2018)
  17. Maine (effective October 15, 2015)
  18. Maryland – can legally possess if not concealed
  19. Massachusetts (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  20. Michigan (effective October 10, 2017)
  21. Mississippi*
  22. Missouri (since 2012)
  23. Montana (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation – removed 2019)
  24. Nebraska*
  25. Nevada (effective July 1, 2015 – 2″ blade length limitation removed)
  26. New Hampshire (since 2010)
  27. New Jersey (possession, but commerce and manufacturing unlawful)
  28. North Dakota
  29. New York – (exception for hunting, trapping and fishing – see New York Knife Laws)
  30. North Carolina  (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
  31. North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
  32. Ohio (effective April 12, 2021 – see Ohio Knife Laws)
  33. Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
  34. Oregon (repealed 1985)
  35. Pennsylvania (effective January 2, 2023)
  36. Rhode Island*
  37. South Carolina*
  38. South Dakota (repealed 1975)
  39. Tennessee*
  40. Texas (since 2013)
  41. Utah*
  42. Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
  43. Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel – see Washington Knife Laws)
  44. West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
  45. Wisconsin (effective February 2016)
  46. Wyoming*

Check out FAQs Understanding Knife Laws
For information on the Federal Switchblade Act, click here.
Read Don’t Believe the Myths About Automatic Knives

*These states never enacted “switchblade” restrictions.

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