Q337: Is it illegal to carry a knife around in my pocket? (2024)

FAQs

Q337: Is it illegal to carry a knife around in my pocket? ›

It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less.

Knives that are usually legal to carry almost anywhere include multi-tool devices, Swiss Army knives, and utility knives, and knives with blades that are shorter than 2.5 inches.

In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on baggage; please pack these items in your checked baggage. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?'

New York City also prohibits the possession in public of a knife with a blade that is 4 or more inches regardless of whether any part of the knife, including the blade, is visible or concealed.

- Open Carry is perfectly legal, given that the blade is not longer than 3 inches in length. - Conceal Carry is perfectly legal, given that the blade is not longer than 3 inches in length.

The same principles generally apply to civilian usage. Defending yourself with a knife in the United States is legal if your use of deadly force is legitimate and justifiable in a court of law.

Deployment: Switchblades can be opened extremely quickly with one hand. Folding knives require two hands for deliberate opening. Locks: Folding knives have locking mechanisms to keep the blade open. Switchblades use spring tension rather than locks.

Knives, except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives, are not allowed in carry-on bags. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page.

TSA regulations and a variety of laws prohibit all knives in carry-on luggage or on your person. Knives are allowed in checked luggage. Be sure to secure the blades of folders and sheathes on fixed blades. If you are carrying expensive knives, consider a padded case or a knife roll.

A locking blade knife, also known as a folding knife, includes a mechanism that locks the blade in place, both when open and closed. When closed, the knife's sharp edge is concealed in the handle. Most consider a locking blade safer than a fixed blade, especially for young or new knife owners.

Can I carry a 4 inch knife in New York? ›

A: New York law prohibits anyone from carrying a knife with a four-inch or longer blade. If you intend to carry a knife on your person for any reason, you must ensure the blade is shorter than four inches.

Gravity knives are a type of folding knife that can be opened with a flick of the wrist. They have a long and controversial history, as they have been banned or restricted in many states and countries due to their association with crime and violence.

A switchblade (also known as switch knife, automatic knife, pushbutton knife, ejector knife, flick knife, gravity knife, flick blade, or spring knife) is a pocketknife with a sliding or pivoting blade contained in the handle which is extended automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or ...

For the most part, there are no legal constraints on knives based on their length. There are a couple of knife laws associated with the length and where the knife may be carried, which prohibit knives that are of or over 3 inches in length when in locations that are owned in part or entirely by the government.

Illinois. In Illinois, you can own any knife except for ballistic knives and throwing stars, and switchblades are legal if you have a FOID card. You can carry any knife as long as you don't intend to harm someone, but carrying certain knives like dirks, stilettos, or dangerous knives with the intent to harm is illegal.

Pocket Knives: Legal to own and carry if the blade is smaller than 3 inches. Fixed Blade Knives: Can be carried openly or concealed, but restrictions apply to blades longer than 3 inches on public property.

Checked Baggage

There are no restrictions on blade length or locking mechanisms when packing your knife. However, it must be encased in a sheath or protective casing. If it's not, the TSA may open your checked luggage and confiscate the knife.

226. (1) A person shall not, with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another, go armed with a pistol or other firearm, or a pneumatic gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument.

There is mostly no restrictions on carrying a knife openly or concealed in Texas. A minor is restricted to a blade length of 5 1/2 inches or less. There is no statewide length restriction for adults.

Any fixed blade knife can be a “dirk or dagger” under California law and should be carried openly in a sheath suspended from the waist. Various knives disguised as other objects are prohibited. (See Restricted Knives below.)