OTF State Laws

The following states do NOT prohibit auto-open (also referred to as automatic, switchblade or switch knife) for non-law enforcement citizens.  Check State Knife Laws for specific details on possession, carry, manufacturer or sale as some restrictions may apply in a specific state.  See the list below for blade length restrictions. Data is compiled by the nonprofit association, American Knife and Tool Institute, and can be found here.

  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California (less than 2″ blade length limitation)
  6. Colorado (effective approximately Aug. 9, 2017; concealed carry maximum length 3-1/2″)
  7. Connecticut (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  8. Florida
  9. Georgia
  10. Idaho
  11. Illinois (effective Aug. 11, 2017 with valid Firearms Owner’s Identification Card FOID)
  12. Indiana
  13. Iowa
  14. Kansas (since 2013)
  15. Kentucky (if at least 21 years old)
  16. Louisiana (effective August 1, 2018)
  17. Maine (effective October 15, 2015)
  18. Maryland - can legally possess if not concealed)
  19. Massachusetts (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation)
  20. Michigan (effective October 10, 2017)
  21. Mississippi
  22. Missouri (since 2012)
  23. Montana (maximum 1-1/2″ blade length limitation – removed 2019)
  24. Nebraska
  25. Nevada (effective July 1, 2015 – 2″ blade length limitation removed)
  26. New Hampshire (since 2010)
  27. New Jersey (possession, but commerce and manufacturing unlawful)
  28. New York (exception for hungin, trapping and fishing - see New York Knife Laws)
  29. North Carolina  (concealed carry not recommended – see North Carolina Knife Laws)
  30. North Dakota (maximum 5″ blade length limitation)
  31. Ohio (effective April 12, 2021)
  32. Oklahoma (effective November 1, 2015)
  33. Oregon
  34. Pennsylvania (effective January 2, 2023)
  35. Rhode Island
  36. South Carolina
  37. South Dakota
  38. Tennessee
  39. Texas
  40. Utah
  41. Vermont (less than 3″ blade length limitation)
  42. Washington (manufacture allowed, limited possession to law enforcement and emergency personnel)
  43. West Virginia (must be 21 years of age)
  44. Wisconsin (effective February, 2016)
  45. Wyoming

As stated in our Terms of Service, we're here to help you get the perfect knife for you but you are responsible for understanding your state laws.