Are Automatic Knives Legal? by Randy Ellington

Are Automatic Knives Legal?

by Randy Ellington

Are automatic knives legal in the United States today? Are out-the-front knives legal, or are they banned like many people think? What about those classic switchblades you see in action movies?

What Are Automatic Knives (and OTF Knives)?

Automatic knives – often called switchblades – are knives that deploy the blade with the push of a button or switch. Unlike a regular folding knife, an automatic knife has a spring mechanism that automatically flips out the blade ready for use. A popular style of automatic knife is the OTF knife, or out-the-front knife, where the blade shoots straight out of the handle (think of those cool special-ops knives in movies). Essentially, all OTF knives are automatic knives, just with a different opening mechanism.

For our purposes, you can consider automatic knives, OTF knives, and switchblades to fall under the same legal umbrella. If you're wondering “are OTF knives legal?”, the answer is tied directly to automatic knife laws in general. Years ago, these knives got a bad rap and were heavily restricted. But times have changed, and so have the laws in many places.

Federal Law: The Switchblade Act Explained

Let's start at the top. In 1958, the U.S. passed the Federal Switchblade Act in response to public fears (and some Hollywood drama) around switchblades. This federal law does NOT outright ban owning a switchblade. Instead, it mainly restricts certain activities involving automatic knives:

• Interstate Sale or Shipment: It bans the interstate sale or shipment of switchblade knives. In plain terms, you’re not supposed to mail or transport a switchblade across state lines as a commercial sale.
• Federal Jurisdictions: It prohibits automatic knives in federal territories and certain jurisdictions (like Washington D.C., U.S. territories, Native American reservations, and on federal properties like military bases or national parks).

What does this mean for you as a retailer or knife enthusiast? Essentially, the federal government isn't going to come after you just for owning an automatic knife or selling it within your state. The Act was more about curbing the mail-order switchblade market back in the day. In fact, a 2009 amendment to the Act even clarified that assisted-opening knives (the ones that need a nudge to open, not a button) are excluded from the "switchblade" definition. So federally speaking, if you're conducting business within the same state, you're in the clear. The big takeaway: federal law won’t stop you from selling or buying automatic knives where they’re legal at the state level.

(Of course, if you're dealing with moving knives across state lines, things get trickier due to that interstate restriction. But as long as you're following state laws and not, say, mailing switchblades to a state where they're banned, the feds generally have no quarrel with you.)

Now, you might be wondering, “Alright, but are switchblades legal for me or my customers?” That all comes down to where you live. Let's break it down by state.

State-by-State Automatic Knife Laws

When it comes to actually answering “are automatic knives legal in my state?”, we need to look at state laws. The good news is that as of 2025, the majority of U.S. states allow automatic knives for civilian ownership and carry in some form. Only a handful still ban them outright. Many states have dropped old switchblade laws in recent years, opening the door for collectors and retailers alike.

Below is a map and detailed list of automatic knife legality by state. If a state has any special restrictions (like blade length limits or permit requirements), we've noted those. No note next to a state means automatic knives are broadly legal there.

States Where Automatic Knives Are Legal (with restrictions noted)

• Alabama – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Alaska – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Arizona – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Arkansas – Legal (no state restrictions)
• California – Legal to own; blade must be under 2″ for carry/sale
• Colorado – Legal to own; blade must be under 3.5″ for concealed carry
• Connecticut – Legal to own; blade must be ≤ 1.5″
• Florida – Legal (no state restrictions on ownership or open carry)
• Georgia – Legal (no state restrictions; 5″ blade limit for carry without a gun permit)
• Hawaii – Legal to own and open carry; no concealed carry allowed
• Idaho – Legal (no state restrictions; recommended ≤4″ blade for carry)
• Illinois – Legal with a valid FOID card (Firearm Owner’s ID)
• Indiana – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Iowa – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Kansas – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Kentucky – Legal (must be 21+ years old to carry)
• Louisiana – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Maine – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Maryland – Legal to own and open carry; no concealed carry
• Massachusetts – Legal (formerly had a 1.5″ blade limit, recently repealed)
• Michigan – Legal (no state restrictions as of 2017)
• Mississippi – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Missouri – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Montana – Legal (no state restrictions; older 1.5″ limit repealed)
• Nebraska – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Nevada – Legal (no state restrictions; older 2″ limit repealed)
• New Hampshire – Legal (no state restrictions)
• New Jersey – Possession legal with “lawful purpose” (but sales are restricted)
• New York – Legal to own (must have a valid hunting/fishing license to carry)
• North Carolina – Legal to own and open carry (concealed carry not recommended)
• North Dakota – Legal (no state restrictions; previously had 5″ blade limit)
• Ohio – Legal (no state restrictions as of 2021)
• Oklahoma – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Oregon – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Pennsylvania – Legal (no state restrictions as of 2023)
• Rhode Island – Legal (no state restrictions)
• South Carolina – Legal (no state restrictions)
• South Dakota – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Tennessee – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Texas – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Utah – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Vermont – Legal to own and carry; blade must be < 3″ for switchblades
• Virginia – Legal (ownership and open carry allowed; concealed carry requires permit)
• Washington – Partially legal (manufacture is allowed; civilian possession generally prohibited except for emergency responders and law enforcement)
• West Virginia – Legal (no state restrictions; must be 21+ to purchase)
• Wisconsin – Legal (no state restrictions)
• Wyoming – Legal (no state restrictions)

As you can see, more than 45 states now allow switchblades/OTF knives in some capacity. In states with blade length limits (like California or Connecticut), you can still sell smaller automatic knives. Some states like New Jersey and Washington have quirks – for example, New Jersey technically lets you own a switchblade for an “explainable lawful purpose,” but selling them to the general public there is a no-go. And Washington State only lets law enforcement and rescue personnel carry automatics, though manufacturers can operate there.

What about the states not on the list? If you didn’t see a state listed above, that means its laws are still pretty unfriendly to switchblades. As of now, the few places that outright ban or extremely limit automatic knives for civilian use include Delaware, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington D.C. (District of Columbia). In those areas, it's generally illegal for an ordinary person to own or sell an automatic knife. The trend, however, is moving in the right direction – for instance, Hawaii and Massachusetts recently rolled back their bans in 2023-2024. So laws can change, and we may see those last holdout states open up in the future too.

Why Selling Automatic Knives Is Good for Business

If you run a store or sell at gun shows, you might be thinking: This is great, but should I jump into carrying automatic knives? Absolutely! Here’s why stocking switchblades and OTF knives can be a smart move for your business:

• High Profit Margins: Automatic knives are hot-ticket items that customers are often willing to pay a premium for. As a retailer, you can enjoy healthy markups on automatics. They’re perceived as specialty or even "forbidden fruit" items, which means buyers expect them to cost a bit more – and they’re okay with that.
• Low Competition: For a long time, many sellers shied away from automatics due to legal myths or outdated bans. Now that laws have relaxed, there’s a huge opportunity to capture a market that isn’t yet saturated. Fewer local stores carry switchblades, so you can become the go-to shop for automatic knives in your area or online niche.
• Easy Sales: Let’s face it, automatic knives have a cool factor that practically sells itself. Demonstrate an OTF knife to a customer – the blade snaps out lightning-fast with the push of a button – and watch their eyes light up. Whether for everyday carry, collection, or gifting, these knives attract attention and practically sell on their own once people see them in action. They’re great conversation starters and foot-traffic drivers for your booth or store.

By adding a selection of quality automatic knives to your inventory, you’re offering something exciting and unique that draws customers in. Collectors, outdoor enthusiasts, and folks interested in self-defense gadgets all love automatics. Plus, with many states legalizing them, there’s a growing customer base that’s finally allowed to buy them – and they’re eager to!

Ready to Start Selling Automatic Knives?

If you’re ready to ride the wave and start offering automatic knives, we’ve got you covered. Self Defense Supply is set up to be your partner in this venture. We carry a wide range of wholesale automatic knives, including popular OTF automatic knives that customers are searching for. Our dealers get access to top brands, great wholesale prices, and fast shipping – so you can restock quickly when you sell out of that awesome new switchblade.

Not a dealer yet? It’s easy to get started. Register for a wholesale account with Self Defense Supply and you'll unlock hundreds of products (including automatic knives) at distributor pricing. We welcome legitimate businesses of all sizes – whether you run a brick-and-mortar shop or an online store – and there’s no big-box competition in this niche. By signing up, you’ll join a community of retailers capitalizing on the high margins and popularity of automatic knives. We’re here to support your success with reliable supply and expertise.

Don’t miss out on the chance to boost your profits with automatic knives now that you know they're legal to sell in most places. Add automatic knives to your inventory and give your customers something to get excited about – while you enjoy the sales.

Legal Disclaimer

The information in this article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Knife laws can change, and local laws or ordinances may also apply. Always check current federal, state, and local regulations before buying or selling automatic knives.