Butterfly Knife Legal States 2023 (2024)

States That Allow Butterfly Knives

The vast majority of states in America do allow butterfly knives. In fact, there are 42 states plus the District of Columbia in which butterfly knives are legal. Some of the other eight states do allow people to own butterfly knives but place severe restrictions on the usage of these knives.

States That Ban Butterfly Knives

The states that ban butterfly knives include Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Washington. Butterfly knives are not allowed to be owned or used at all in these three states. Carrying or even owning a butterfly knife in these states could lead to severe legal penalties.

Restrictions on Butterfly Knives

There are states that allow butterfly knife ownership, but greatly restrict how these knives can be used. These states are Wisconsin, Utah, New York, and California. These restrictions include:

  • Wisconsin: Butterfly knives are only allowed on your own property.
  • Utah: Butterfly knives cannot be carried in a state of concealment. You must open-carry a butterfly knife.
  • Oregon: Butterfly knives cannot be concealed. Open carry of butterfly knives is allowed.
  • New York: Only residents are allowed to have butterfly knives. Visitors are not allowed to carry them.
  • California: Butterfly knives must have a blade that is two inches long or shorter. Very few butterfly knives have blades this small, making this a soft ban.

Many other states, including those in which is it legal to own a butterfly knife require that the knife be carried openly. These states make concealed carry of butterfly knives illegal. It is important to fully research the laws and restrictions within the state before you purchase, possess, or travel with a butterfly knife.

Why Butterfly Knives are Illegal In Some States

Butterfly knives are illegal in some states for several reasons. First, they are often associated with violent crime. Many movies depict criminals using butterfly knives. Many knife enthusiasts feel that this is not a legitimate reason to ban these knives, as there is no data that shows criminals are more likely to use butterfly knives than other knives.

The other reason that butterfly knives are banned is the speed with which they can be deployed. Deploying a butterfly knife quickly requires a great deal of practice, but it can be done much faster than opening a standard folding knife. This has led some states and local jurisdictions to group butterfly knives with switchblades. Other jurisdictions ban butterfly knives together with other knives in the category of "gravity knives." There is some controversy about whether the speed with which butterfly knives can be deployed actually makes them a more effective weapon for the average criminal. Most fatal knife attacks have involved hunting knives or combat knives, not butterfly knives.

Butterfly Knife Legal States 2023 (2024)

FAQs

Which states are butterfly knives legal? ›

Download Table Data
StateButterfly Knife Legality
AlaskaLegal
ArizonaLegal
ArkansasLegal
CaliforniaIllegal
46 more rows

Are butterfly knives illegal in Texas 2023? ›

In the State of Texas, it is completely legal to sell, repair, transport, and possess switchblades. In 2017, Texas removed the category of “illegal knives” from House Bill 1935, thereby making it legal to possess and carry switchblades and other types of knives.

How illegal is owning a butterfly knife? ›

In California, butterfly knives are prohibited. Under California Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are classified as a form of switchblade. Carrying, possessing in public, selling, or otherwise transferring a butterfly knife is illegal under this legislation.

Are dull butterfly knives legal? ›

Description. A balisong trainer is a standard balisong / butterfly knife without a blade. It is 100 percent legal in the us and, unlike a knife, you can't cut yourself.

Why are butterfly knives restricted? ›

Legal status. The balisong has been outlawed in several countries, mainly due to its easy utility in crimes and ability to be easily concealed for the same purpose. In some jurisdictions its criminal use is considered a knife crime.

What is the legal length of a butterfly knife? ›

In California, all knife blades over 2 inches are banned so many butterfly knives would fall into that category.

Are butterfly knives legal in Florida? ›

Under Florida law, it is illegal to manufacture, display, sell, own, or possess any ballistic knife. If found with a ballistic knife, you will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Colorado? ›

Gravity and switchblade knives, which were originally popularized by classic movies such as West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause, are considered illegal weapons in Colorado. Possessing such a weapon could result in a fine or jail time, or both.

Are butterfly knives illegal in NY? ›

If your knife has a fixed blade less than four inches long, it is perfectly legal to carry it in New York. However, if the knife is a folding knife, balisong or “butterfly knife,” a “gravity knife,” or any form of pilum ballistic, it is illegal to possess on your person in New York.

Are real butterfly knives illegal in the US? ›

No. The belief that Balisongs are illegal under federal law is a myth. Sort of like the myth that automatic knives are illegal (they aren't, either). The Federal Switchblade Act considers butterfly knives to be switchblades.

Are butterfly knives illegal in NJ? ›

Lawful Possession of a Knife

The list of knives that are not illegal in New Jersey include: It is legal to own disguised knives like lipstick knives. Butterfly knives. Swords.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Alabama? ›

Legal Knives in Alabama

A balisong, also known as a butterfly knife, is legal to own. Knives with automatic or assisted opening systems are legal, despite the common misconceptions about them. This includes gravity knives and switchblades. It is also legal to have a toothpick knife, a stiletto, or a dirk.

Can I bring a butterfly knife to school? ›

Therefore, if you have one of these practice knives, be careful never to carry or use it in public or on the street, never bring it to a school or park, never bring it on an airplane. Simply practice at home or at a martial arts studio, and keep it packed up while bringing it there.

Can you sharpen non sharp butterfly knife? ›

The trainer can't be sharpened due to its design. Balisong trainer provides excellent corrosion & treatment resistance, high durability.

Is it safe to play with a butterfly knife? ›

Real Butterfly knives are very dangerous. However, messing around with fake knives can be a lot of fun. Flipping the knife open is a fun test of dexterity and skill that can improve your hand eye coordination.

What states ban switchblades? ›

A few states, among them Delaware, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York, prohibit sale, transfer, ownership or possession of automatic knives or switchblades as deadly or prohibited weapons, while others such as New Hampshire and Arizona have no restrictions on sale, ownership, possession, or carry (with some ...

What is a dirk knife? ›

A dirk is classically a large, single-bladed knife with a blade anywhere from 12 inches all the way up to 20 inches. Naval dirks were commonly used for ship-to-ship fighting as they were short enough to be used in tight confines yet large enough to still be effective.

How heavy should a butterfly knife be? ›

The weight that most people tend to look for is around 4 ounces. In the knife world, an ounce can make a huge difference in terms of handling.

Are stiletto knives legal? ›

There is no federal restriction on the ownership, possession, or carrying of a switchblade knife. There are some states that have enacted laws regarding switchblades (see State Laws Regarding Auto-Open Knives). The majority of states allow auto-open knives.

Why are butterfly knives illegal but not guns? ›

Because a butterfly knife is a type of switchblade under Penal Code 17235 PC, they are prohibited by Penal Code 21510 PC. A butterfly knife can be folded to hide the blades.

What states are gravity knives illegal? ›

Delaware is the lone state currently with an explicit ban on gravity knives. Maryland has an odd law where it is legal to own a gravity knife but illegal to both conceal carry and open carry the blade. It's also illegal to conceal carry in North Dakota and West Virginia.

What is an OTF knife? ›

For the uninformed, OTF knives are a type of switchblade – that is, an automatic knife which deploys the blade 'automatically' on pressing a button or switch. Specifically, the OTF knife is a switchblade where the blade simply comes 'out the front'.

Are butterfly knives legal in Oregon? ›

When carried openly, there are no legal consequences for carrying a butterfly knife in Oregon. However, because they fall under the stabbing category, they are illegal to carry concealed. As long as you don't attempt to hide these knives on your person, you can carry butterfly knives freely.

Are butterfly knives legal in Utah? ›

It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-10-503. Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic*, gravity*, switchblade* or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)

Are butterfly knives legal in California? ›

No. Butterfly Knives are Illegal to carry in California. The laws concerning butterfly knives are not specifically detailed in the California Statutes. However, the California Courts have determined that butterfly knives fit within the definition of switchblades.

Are knives legal in NJ? ›

New Jersey law prohibits the possession “without any explainable lawful purpose” of any “gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or ballistic knife.” Possession of a weapon in one's home is arguably a “lawful purpose.” Pocket knives may be carried outside the home, except by one having ...

What is a folding knife? ›

noun. a large pocketknife having a blade or blades that may be folded into the handle.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Tennessee? ›

It is legal to own any type of knife in Tennessee including automatic, ballistic, switchblade, butterfly and “assisted opening” knives. There are no restrictions on the blade length of any knife being carried. Further, Tennessee makes no distinction between open and concealed carry of knives.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Montana? ›

Here in Montana, residents can carry any type of knife, including a switchblade. But in states with more restrictive knife laws, switchblades are illegal regardless of the length of the blade. In Washington, for example, it's illegal to own a switchblade and to carry a dirk or dagger concealed.

Are butterfly knives legal in Ohio? ›

Current Ohio law allows legal possession of gravity switch blades and knives, Balisong (butterfly) knives and Balisong trainers, ballistic knives, dirks, daggers, Bowie knives, stiletto heels and other stabbed knives. Ohio`s knife law contains few restrictions on the types of knives a person can own.

Are keychain knives legal? ›

Pocketknives, Swiss Army knives, box cutters, and utility knives are all considered folding knives. Under California Penal Code Section 17235, all folding knives are legal in the state and can be concealed if they are in the folded position.

Are punch knives illegal? ›

Balisong knives, butterfly knives, switchblades, automatic knives, dirks, daggers, stilettos, push knives, knives with brass knuckles, and throwing knives are all just fine TO OWN.

Are pocket knives legal in PA? ›

Pocket knives are allowed to be carried in Pennsylvania. Both state and federal law prohibits owning a switchblade, also referred to as an automatic knife. The U.S. Congress passed the Federal Switchblade Act in 1958. The law prohibits the transportation, possession, sale and distribution of switchblade knives.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Georgia? ›

List Of Knives Legal to Own in Georgia. -Balisong knives or butterfly knives are legal. -Bowie knives, switchblades, and all other large knives are legal. -Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.

What knives are illegal in South Carolina? ›

There are no state restrictions on the possession of knives, with the understandable exception for inmates of state and local correctional facilities. (24-13-440) and knives with a blade length longer than two inches on primary and secondary school property.

What knives are legal to carry in Florida? ›

- Open Carry: it is LEGAL to OPEN CARRY fixed blade knives of any type, size and length. - Conceal Carry: it is LEGAL to carry these knives folded and concealed given that the BLADE is less than 4 inches in length. - It is ILLEGAL to carry any knife with a BLADE longer than 4 inches.

Is butterfly knife illegal in Texas? ›

Under Tex. Penal Code § 46.01 (2012), it's legal to own and openly carry knives, along with throwing stars (and any other type of throwing knife), swords, spears, switchblade knives, pocket knives, and Balisongs (butterfly knives).

Is it illegal to bring a fake butterfly knife to school? ›

In many styles of trainer knives, the blade-like part is made with holes in it so it can never be sharpened. These do not appear to be illegal, just like toy guns are not illegal. However, if you bring this anywhere in public or any place that knives are not allowed, then you will most likely run into trouble.

What knives are illegal in New York state? ›

Which knives are illegal in New York? Possession of switchblades, pilum ballistic knives, metal knuckle knives, cane swords, and “Kung Fu stars” is prohibited. Some knives are not illegal, but become illegal based upon how they are used or possessed.

Are butterfly knives illegal in TN? ›

It is legal to own any type of knife in Tennessee including automatic, ballistic, switchblade, butterfly and “assisted opening” knives. There are no restrictions on the blade length of any knife being carried. Further, Tennessee makes no distinction between open and concealed carry of knives.

Can I take a butterfly knife on a plane? ›

Checked Bags: Yes

Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?'

Is it illegal to 3D print a butterfly knife? ›

No, 3D printed knives are not illegal, as knives are a legal commodity.

How old do you have to be to buy a butterfly knife? ›

It is unlawful for an individual under the age of 18 to “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carry on or about his or her person a location-restricted knife.” It is also unlawful for an adult to intentionally or knowingly sell or give a location-restricted knife to any minor younger than eighteen.

What size knife can you carry in NY? ›

What Is The Legal Size Of A Knife in NYC? While there is no size restriction in the state, AC 10-133 makes it illegal to carry a knife with a blade that is four inches or longer.

Are brass knuckles illegal in NY? ›

The 21 states where brass knuckles are illegal are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington.

What age can you carry a knife in New York? ›

Persons under the age of sixteen (16) may not possess a "dangerous knife ."

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