Switchblade laws

Switch blades are no longer out lawed In Texas. The code still tell you what a switch blade is but the unlawful carrying part mention Illeagle knives but a switch blade is not included in that definition. I belive this was done at the last legislature.

Be safe

"the national authorities needed a law to crack down on the growing number of leather jacketed juvenile delinquints in 1958."

No, not really. At all. It was a campaign by Trumans speechwriter to make them illegal, and he wrote dozens of articles placed in women's magazines about the threat of armed gangs using switchblades to "have their way" with young women. Most of the writing had barely veiled descriptions of non white switchblade carriers and the thrust was racist.

It was a test run for banning objects carried in American society and the successful result was to step up and start in on guns afterward. It had nothing to do with leather clad kids - that was Hollywood doing their part to demonize them. It can be said that the manipulation of the American public by a cabal of political operators and the media can be directly traced to this event.

As for purchasing, it's a rat's nest of overlapping and confusing statutes. I carry a Ganzo 7212 daily, but for the sake of conversation I will omit how I purchased it. I do note that the USPS is helping, tho, as they have E Packet service direct from Hong Kong and once the mailer is put in the stream of incoming packages it's handled exactly as if it's normal. Having delivered rural mail I can say that I never heard of a Customs Agent overseeing the inspection of packages from overseas in the USPS and I have knowledge many are shipped and delivered straight to your mail box. Many USPS parcel shipments are handled by UPS and Fed EX for bulk transfer using their carriers, too. They drop off at the Post Office for final delivery - and it is put in your mailbox that way, too.

There are literally millions of packages incoming from the Far East and for the most part Customs isn't sitting on them inspecting the contents and seizing them. What items I have purchased in the last 18 months have arrived in my mailbox in less time thru USPS than waiting in Hong Kong accumulating in a container.

If we are to talk factually about buying blades please do so with actual knowledge of the subject. If anything the laws actually are protecting a privileged industry and helping them keep their prices up. It's protectionist more than prevention. I would worry more about USPS theft or loss than Customs intervention, and that guides how much I am willing to spend.

They are illegal to own, possess, carry, handle, hold, touch, look at, and think about in the state of Colorado. Last I checked anyway.

As soon as this state's legislature heads in the other direction, and once that direction produces a bill that might have a chance at undoing the 2013 gun control laws, I'll meet with some of the bill sponsors and ask that they include automatic knives in the liberation legislation. Because I can currently, legally carry a much more powerful weapon concealed on my person than a little automatic folder.

North Carolina knife law is a quagmire - a single-edged pocketknife, "about four and one half inches folded", is not considered a "deadly weapon" and can be carried concealed, but even this is subject to some local interpretation.

(Side note: When I lived in West Virginia it was easy: the law essentially stated, "any single-edged knife, fixed or folding, with a blade of less than 3.5" was legal to carry concealed; any blade length 3.5" or longer, fixed or folding, was legal for open carry." No autos, though. )

On a bright note, the law concerning automatics in North Carolina is fairly straightforward - if a knife is legal to carry as a non-auto, it's legal as an auto so long as you carry openly. I recently acquired a Benchmade 3551 Mini Stimulus and it's perfectly legal to carry so long as it isn't concealed. I confirmed this through an attorney, several senior law enforcement officers, and the North Carolina Department of Justice. A double-edged Microtech OTF with a 4" blade could potentially get you in some trouble, but a small single-edged auto won't be a problem.

In reality, what I was told by every LEO I spoke with was that they generally never go after someone *just* because of a pocketknife - usually you're doing something else pretty shady that got their attention to begin with.

YMMV.

------
Kurt

Auto knife is legal for me in Illinois but I can't seem to find out if I can take it with me to Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have a CCL honored in both states.

So in Texas are Mike "Whiskers" Allen's scale release knives legal to carry, particularly if the blade is less than 3 inches long? I mean he makes them here in Texas after all?

Couple of years ago Colorado lifted the prohibition on switchblades. Now considered the same as any other knife; i.e.: up to 3.5" blade length can be carried open or concealed, over 3.5" blade length is considered a dangerous or deadly weapon, can be carried openly subject to some restrictions on places to be carried.

I promptly ordered a Boker Magnum 3.25" automatic, not because I have a strong need for it but having been prohibited for many years I thought it might be handy. Turns out I still prefer my old Gerber liner-lock with thumb-stud, which is just as handy for any chores I have to do and a lot slimmer and easier to carry with pocket clip.

Since then I have made trips to New Mexico, Nebraska, and Nevada. I always make sure to review local knife laws where I will be going; what is perfectly legal in Colorado may be seriously illegal in other states. While I have a retirement badge, ID, and concealed handgun permit I don't want to push around the edges of the legal envelope.

I found this link and found it useful

http://weaponlaws.wikidot.com/us-switchblade-laws

It's never been clearly explained to me why there are laws and regulations prohibiting auto-opening knives. Are they in some way hazardous to the owner and it's done for the sake of "safety"?

I have an inexpensive Mexican made switchblade I paid $6 for in the 80's, bought on a trip to Mexico when I was in the Marines and visiting Yuma. I would NEVER carry that thing in my pocket, but it's cool to look at.

The highest quality SB I have is an original US made (can't remember brand and it's at my mothers house now) pilot survival knife. This was packed in the ejection seat of an A-4 Skyhawk in the event a pilot bails out and needs access to a knife blade but has injuries preventing the use of both hands. They have to be swapped out of the seat at intervals by the unit's seat shop and they were being disposed of so the guy just gave me one. Not a particularly powerful spring action but that's probably done on purpose.

JohnKSa said:

This wiki article has some good information on that topic. Especially the section entitled "1950s gang usage and controversy".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchblade

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Great info. I had no idea so many states permit possession (with many restrictions on carry, depending).

mike535 said:

which states are legal to carry a switchblade..thanks

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NH!! Here in Nh we don't have ANY restrictions on knives. Switchblades, daggers, dirks, swords it's all good and legal here!

Not only are switchblades legal to purchase, sell and possess in Ohio, they're legal to carry concealed now (O.R.C. 2923.12 (H)).

It uses to be illegal to sell switchblades or manufacture them, but that statute wasn't enforced in recent years and they were removed from said statute (O.R.C. 2923.20) in 2020. People pretty much ignored it. My first knife was a switchblade that I was gifted in 2013.

^ yes now we need to get preemption bills into law.

Switchblades are now legal to own and carry in Pennsylvania! Except in Philadelphia, of course (because ALL knives are illegal to carry in Philly). I can't believe Gov Wolf actually signed the bill to legalize them.