Out-the-front (OTF), switchblade, or automatic knives have been around since the early 1900s. They remain popular for several reasons. Not only are they safe to carry for the user when deactivated, but they can also protect and defend the user via a simple push of a button. On the other hand, this ease of concealment and possibility to inflict injury or possible fatality raised plenty of concerns and controversies—particularly with the rise of violent gangs within the inner cities during the 1950s.Federal Switchblade ActCongress passed the "Federal Switchblade Act" in 1958, whereby it regulated the import of switchblades into the US and regulated sale of switchblades across State borders. It left possession and carry laws of OTF knives up to each state individually –but the laws are not uniform. Even though most states allow the possession and carrying of switchblades, some states have completely banned them, while others have some strict requirements.Before you purchase an OTF knife, it is important that you understand the laws in the state where you reside. Some states, for example, do not allow the sale of OTF knives but allow possession. Even though the Federal law still forbids the use of the mail (or Internet) to purchase OTF knives from another state, you can still physically travel to another state where it’s legal to sell to make your purchase.The laws are always changing, but the general rule is if you are using your switchblade for legal purposes (defense, hunting, and survival), you don’t have anything to worry about. These laws were put in place to protect against violent crimes carried out using switchblades. Automatic OTF knives are very easy to conceal and can be as deadly as a pistol at close range, so the laws passed by some states are understandable.OTF Knife Laws State-By-State STATE POSSESSION SALE OPEN CARRY Concealed Carry Federal Government Yes Not allowed to sell over State lines nor allowed to import from outside the US Yes Yes Alabama Yes Yes Yes Yes Alaska Yes Yes Yes Yes Arizona Yes Yes Yes Yes, if ever over 21 years old Arkansas Yes Yes Yes Yes California Yes, if blade is less than 2" Yes, if blade is less than 2" Yes, if blade is less than 2" Yes, if blade is less than 2" Colorado Yes, if blade is less than 3.5" Yes. Yes, if blade is less than 3.5" Yes, if blade is less than 3.5" Connecticut Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than 1.5" Yes, if blade is less than 1.5" Delaware No No No No District of Columbia No No No No Florida Yes Yes Yes Yes, with Gun Permit Georgia Yes Yes, if over 18 years old Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 5" or any blade length if Gun Permit exists Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 5" or any blade length if Gun Permit exists Hawaii No No No No Idaho Yes Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 4" Illinois No No No No Indiana Yes Yes Yes Yes Iowa Yes Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 5" Kansas Yes Yes Yes Yes Kentucky Yes Yes Yes No Louisiana No No No No Maine Yes Yes Yes Yes Maryland Yes Yes Yes No Massachusetts Yes Yes No No Michigan No No No No Minnesota No No No No Mississippi Yes Yes Yes No Missouri Yes Yes Yes No Montana No, unless used as a collection piece No, unless used as a collection piece No No Nebraska Yes Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 3.5" Nevada Yes Yes Yes Yes New Hampshire Yes Yes Yes Yes New Jersey No No No No New Mexico No No No No New York Yes, with Hunting and Fishing License Yes, with Hunting and Fishing License Yes, with Hunting and Fishing License Yes, with Hunting and Fishing License North Carolina Yes Yes Yes No North Dakota Yes Yes Yes No Ohio Yes No Yes No Oklahoma Yes Yes Yes No Oregon Yes Yes Yes No Pennsylvania No, unless used as a collection piece No, unless used as a collection piece No, unless used as a collection piece. No, unless used as a collection piece Rhode Island Yes Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 3" South Carolina Yes Yes Yes Yes South Dakota Yes Yes Yes Yes Tennessee Yes Yes Yes Yes Texas Yes Yes Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 5.5" Yes, if blade is less than or equal to 5.5" Utah Yes Yes Yes Yes, but denied to "restricted persons" Vermont Yes Yes, if blade is less than ro equal to 3" Yes Yes Virginia No No No No Washington No No No No West Virginia Yes, if over 18 years old Yes Yes, if over 18 years old Yes Wisconsin Yes Yes Yes Yes Wyoming Yes Yes Yes Yes, but must meet qualifications As we can see, the laws are not uniform, but most states do allow the possession, sales, and carrying of automatic knives. Montana, a state that is very “libertarian” with gun laws, has banned switchblades entirely from the state. Also, while most states allow the open-carry of OTF knives, most do not allow the concealed-carry of such blades. So, it is important that our customers understand the legalities of owning a switchblade before making a purchase, so go over the above table first before heading over to our catalog of automatic knives.
