I have a book that covers knife laws in all 50 states. Unfortunately it only covers carry laws.
What about in your home? Can I legally keep automatic knives, switch blades etc. in my house. Of course in my collection I don't any such knives. Just an inquiry.

Also I've noticed that several members carry small automatics like the Kershaw Leek. Would any of you Leo's put the cuffs on someone you caught carrying one? (no other suspicions)

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Law compilation books always seem to miss parts of the law.

You'll have to look up laws in your state. Some items are simply illegal. If that is the case, then it doesn't matter where you're standing. So, if a switch blade is illegal, then it's illegal to have at home.

CA defines a switch blade as one that has continuous pressure on the blade to open it and must have a mechanical "switch" to open it. A blade that is held closed by the same spring used to open it, is legal.

It is my hope that no policeman would arrest a person for carrying a legal tool.

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Freedom isn't free.

Since July1, 2012, Georgia law states is that you can own any knife you would like as long as you keep it inside your property. You can carry, open or concealed, any knife that is less than 5 inches (blade length). This includes butterfly knives, switchblades, and any other type of knife that is commonly banned in other states. To carry a knife that is larger than 5 inches, you must have a weapons license. That same 2012 state law also preempts local law...

16-11-136. Restrictions on possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of knives

Except for restrictions in courthouses and government buildings, no county, municipality, or consolidated government shall, by rule or ordinance, constrain the possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of a knife more restrictively than the provisions of this part.

However, I would still be careful in Atlanta since the APD has been known to "make it up as they go along."

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μολὼν λαβέ

Just as a point of information, the Leek is "assisted", not an auto. You open it with either the thumb stud or the flipper to about 30° before the spring takes over.

That said, I gather that such a knife is illegal in Wisconsin, treated the same as an auto under the law. At least, that is what the guys in the cigar shop in Hudson say. It limits the selection of Benchmades they can sell.

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Not in jail.

Switchblades are illegal in Minnesota, but you can have 17 rounds in a M&P.

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It's Alive !!

In California, no switchblades unless the blade is less than 2 inches. No concealed dirks, daggers, or similar knives that can be used for stabbing. It is okay to walk around with a Civil War cavalry saber hanging from your belt.

As a knife make it has interested me. There are some archaic laws out there to. Switchblades are interesting. I have a couple that I got as kits and then modified. Some states don't care. Some are idiotic. Even Montana where its easy to get a concealed permit and a loaded gun in your glove compartment isn't even considered concealed, won't allow you to have a switch blade unless your sheriff agrees you are a collector (me he he). In Wa state you can't have a switch blade even if you have a carry permit???? funny. Real funny is I have seen switch blades for sale in gas station displays in WA. Many cops don't even know the local knife laws. Switch blade laws are kind of ridiculous in face of the many excellent assisted openers.

In some states I can have a 10" butcher knife but, not a 4 1/2" hunting knife. DUH.

Funny story, guy goes into a K mart and buys a hunting knife. Sporting good clerk rings it up then escorts the guy out of the store. Guys puts knife in car. Goes back in store and goes to the kitchen dept, picks up a honking big chefs knife and wanders around the store with it. Duh.

I think if I got stopped and one of my switch blade was discovered it would just be confiscated. LOL

Any Knife I have in MY HOME, is none of the State business. Just the way it is.

Down here the main knife law in the quarters is "cane knife beats kitchen knife".

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Alabama weapon laws date back to pre civil war periods. Yes, during reconstruction they had to work over most every law. But they went back to old ideas. Many counties have 19 century law still on books, that is no longer enforced, which requires a $5 permit to carry a concealed knife. Concealed meant anything back then if you were on wrong side of cop that day... The possession of dirks, dagger, cane swords, swords, switchblades, or propelled blades are illegal. For several of these the law does not allow transporting them and for others the sale (transfer) is illegal unless you are issued it for work while military or LEO. So technically taking that $600 sword to your martial arts class is at discretion of the cop that finds you with it. . .
We have had concealed carry permits since the times when people still open carried in most of US.

In Kentucky a CCW license gives me the right to carry a full-automatic or assisted-opening knife concealed. There's a SOG Flash II clipped in my right hip pocket at the moment, and I can carry it outside my home as well.

Unfortunately, though I've never had a problem I've heard there are some LEO's here who aren't sufficiently conversant with the law and might take exception to my legally carrying an assisted opener. I don't own a switchblade for that reason--figure I could make the case for the SOG more easily if questioned.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have a Boker switchblade that I use for opening mail. If I had a choice of either that switchblade or one of my Randalls to defend myself; well, you know what they say, "That's not a knife. This is a knife."

no knife restrictions in Arizona and damn few gun restrictions too.

Switchblades are against the law here, always have been, I can remember when I was a kid every store sold them, they displayed them right out in the open.

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Don

Doesn't "always" include when you were a kid?

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Freedom isn't free.

Texas just recently (Sept '13) made switchblades legal for carry...prior to that, you could own a switchblade but you couldn't carry it off your property.

Texas still restricts blade length to 5 1/2 ", unless you are hunting. You can own longer blade knives but you can't carry them off your property unless you are hunting.

VA- Switchblades and brass knuckles and such are legal to posses, just not carry.

Richmond has a blade length restriction of 3.5" for carry. I'm not sure about the rest of the state, but I've never had a problem OCing my 5.25" Ka-Bar while hunting.

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an actual conservative

I bought two or three as a teenager, sixty years or so ago. Cheap junk, but looked cool to a sixteen-year-old. Never any questions asked by the store clerks who sold them to me.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Wisconsin's law is so vague and ambiguous that it's impossible to know what is legal. According to the letter of the law, and I am quoting here:
941.24 Possession of switchblade knife. (1) Whoever manufactures, sells or offers to sell, transports, purchases, possesses or goes armed with any knife having a blade which opens by pressing a button, spring or other device in the handle or by gravity or by a thrust or movement is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

...every single folding knife on the planet opens with a thrust of movement.

According to Knife Laws of the Fifty States folding knives may be carried openly or concealed in Wisconsin. No restriction noted on blade length. Dirks, daggers and stilettos may be carried openly but not concealed. Automatic knives and balisongs may not be carried openly or concealed.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Which is but one interpretation of the law I posted previously.

Yes, but at least the interpretation is by an attorney who specializes in weapons laws. He also is a NRA certified firearms instructor. David Wong Esq, Massachusetts.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Even though I can probably operate a thumb stud just as quick as a switch blade, I love that Texas now gives me the choice.
My HK auto (made by Benchmade for HK) is always clipped inside my pocket.
I had a nice switchblade before, given to me by a local Leo who often did TV segments. Back then in Houston, you would go immediately to jail for having one on you. I put it away and have still not found it.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

I can't for the life of me figure out why one needs a blade longer then 5.5" outside of the kitchen, skinning shed or fish cleaning table.

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Forum consigliere

In other words Wong is right.

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Good. I guess its legal to carry my SOG Spirit knife/tool. :-)) The blade I think is only about 4 inches long.

The only Switchblade I ever bought, was a Switchblade comb. Dunno whatever happened to it? I had the coolest comb on campus. :-))

As a pipefitter I saw many pipe covers that used longer blades in their daily work. Many of those knifes were kitchen type knifes. Those strong & sharp rather narrow blades were perfect for their work. They all carried the in sheathes on their belt as many times they worked off of ladders. Many came to work that way and went home the same, and this is in the people’s republic of NY.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Knife Rights - Home

Various Texas cities have their own restriction, San Antonio prohibits lock blades, Corpitos restricts a length less than the state standard.

If anyone wants to nit pick about this, call your bailbondsman, and lawyer.
Don't correct my spelling or sentence structure, don't get all nuanced, it's pretty silly.

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Halfway and one more step

Yeah, I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone needs a gun that can fire more than 10 shots!

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

YOU WANT MY KNIFE.. COME AND GET IT!

If you are hunting larger game (deer, antelope, pigs, etc) and want to gut/skin/clean it in the field, a blade longer than 5.5" makes it easier. The longer blade knives also (usually) have heavier, thicker blades, and can be used as chopping tools, making it easier to cut/chop through bone...as well as to cut small branches, clear brush, and so on.

And if you want to be Rambo, you have to have a big knife...he didn't carry a pen knife, don't ya know?

Knife these are Knives

Point taken

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