If a knife does not fall into any of the above illegal categories, it is legal to possess it. Knives are a top choice for hunting, self-defense, and sports weapons, but it`s important to know your state`s knife laws. The patterns have often sat in the gray area of legality, and the specific details of the law can vary from state to state. You have probably already received an answer as it is the case 4 years later and you are probably 18 now, but if you were still 14 years old yes, it would still be legal to be caught or cross the borders of the state with an illegal knife or a switching blade can lead to serious consequences such as fines or even prison sentences, so it`s important to know the knife laws of your state and the knife laws of each state you travel to. It`s important to remember that state laws aren`t always the same as local or federal laws. Each state has its own law when it comes to wearing a switching blade, and the only federal law is the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 and the amendment to the 2009 law that applies to people traveling between states and abroad. To better understand each law, below are the 50 states and their knife laws. In Illinois, the only knives generally prohibited are ballistic knives, throwing stars, or other buttons that are supported. However, automatic knives and offset blades can be purchased with a weapon license. Knives are not allowed in schools, social housing, courthouses, public transportation and in any place that serves alcohol or sells tickets. Chicago has additional regulations prohibiting the sale and use of knives over 2 inches in length by people under the age of 18. A person cannot be convicted of illegal possession of a knife if he or she uses it for hunting or fishing, if the knife is legal and appropriate for such activities, and if he or she has a valid hunting or fishing licence. If you carry such a knife, it must be enclosed in a box or in the trunk of the vehicle in which it is transported.
One can be charged with possession of a dangerous weapon if there are circumstances that may lead to the assumption that the knife is possessed for an illegal purpose. Oregon does not prohibit or limit the type of legal knife for anyone except convicted criminals. Knives are not allowed in schools, public buildings and government facilities. The concealed wearing of any type of automatic knife is prohibited. Additional restrictions are in place in Portland, Eugene and Salem. Hidden Bowies and hidden Bowie-like knives are illegal. A hidden machete could be illegal. Selling Bowies to anyone under the age of 18 is illegal. Weapons on school grounds will cause you legal trouble. There are also local laws, such as in Montgomery. You can own Bowie knives, large knives, throwing stars, throwing knives, camouflaged knives, undetectable knives, dirks, daggers and stiletto heels.
Butterfly knives are illegal. Switching blades are illegal. If a knife is considered a dangerous weapon, it cannot be carried hidden or openly. There are no knives that can only be transported in one direction or another. You can hide any knife as long as it is not a dirk, dagger or similar blade. Tactical knives and Bowie knives are not dangerous weapons unless you use them in this way. Dirks or daggers in a car are illegal. No weapons on the school grounds. (Source) Double-edged blades are illegal.
(Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) Balisongs, bowies, dirks, daggers, stiletto heels, ballistic knives, camouflaged knives, switching blades and automatic knives are all legal to own. It is illegal for convicted offenders, refugees or those subject to a domestic violence protection order to possess even a knife. It is legal to open any type of knife, but it is illegal to hide the wearing of dirk, dagger, stiletto heel or any other blade over 3.5″ in length. However, previous court cases in Nebraska appear to have ignored the 3.5-inch law and have consistently found people guilty of illegally wearing hidden „dangerous instruments” for hiding knives under 3.5. You also can`t hide a knife with a blade greater than 3.5″ in your vehicle. Again, however, previous court cases seem to make the secret wearing of any type of blade, regardless of its length, a legal responsibility for those who do. Local laws may apply. You can legally own a hunting knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto or gravity knife. It is illegal to own a metal impact ring knife, ballistic knife, tube sword, throwing stars or any other knife that can be used primarily as a weapon. You cannot own a knife if you are not a U.S.
citizen. New York`s knife laws are different from the rest of the state. Any knife that can be opened with a single movement is illegal in New York. Here`s a complete guide on the type of knife legal in your state (Disclaimer: This is not legal advice) It`s legal to carry any type of knife in Idaho. Concealed carrying restrictions only prohibit dangerous weapons such as Bowie knives, daggers, and knives larger than 4 inches. It is illegal to carry a dangerous weapon on school grounds, including knives larger than 2.5 inches. In addition, it is illegal to hide the carrying of a knife while intoxicated. It is legal to possess bowies, dirks, daggers, stabbed knives, switching blades, gravity knives or camouflaged knives.
It is illegal to sell or give a Bowie or Dirk to a minor.