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Butterfly Knife Laws by State
Butterfly knives, also known as balisong knives, are folding pocket knives with two handles that rotate around the tang, concealing the blade when closed. Due to their potential use as weapons and their association with martial arts, butterfly knives face various legal restrictions across the United States. Some states allow them without issue, while others have outright bans or strict regulations. This guide provides an overview of butterfly knife legality in every state and offers important information for anyone interested in purchasing one.
States Where Butterfly Knives Are Illegal or Heavily Restricted
Butterfly knives are illegal or heavily restricted in the following states:
- California: Butterfly knives with blades over 2 inches are illegal.
- Hawaii: Complete ban on possession, sale, and transport.
- New York: Classified as illegal weapons.
- New Jersey: Possession and carry are prohibited.
- Washington: Possession, sale, and transfer are illegal.
- Oregon: Illegal to carry, though ownership is allowed.
- Pennsylvania: Considered illegal weapons.
- Massachusetts: Illegal to carry in public.
In some states, such as Delaware, Maryland, Louisiana, and North Carolina, ownership is allowed, but public carry may require a permit. Additionally, Colorado presents a legal gray area due to restrictions on ballistic knives, which can lead to confusion regarding butterfly knives.
State-by-State Breakdown of Butterfly Knife Laws
1. Alabama
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
2. Alaska
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Permitted for both ownership and carry, though local laws may apply.
3. Arizona
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Open carry is allowed, but concealed carry requires a permit.
4. Arkansas
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
5. California
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives with blades over 2 inches are illegal.
- Details: Possession, sale, or transfer of butterfly knives exceeding 2 inches is prohibited.
6. Colorado
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are a legal gray area.
- Details: Restrictions on ballistic knives create potential legal complications for butterfly knives. Open carry is allowed, but concealed carry of knives over 3.5 inches is restricted.
7. Connecticut
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal with restrictions.
- Details: Carrying a butterfly knife with a blade over 4 inches is illegal.
8. Delaware
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Ownership is legal, but carrying them in public is prohibited without a permit.
9. Florida
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Legal to own and carry. Concealed carry requires a permit.
10. Georgia
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Knives with blades up to 12 inches are legal to carry without a permit.
11. Hawaii
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal.
- Details: Complete ban on possession, sale, and transport of butterfly knives.
12. Idaho
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
13. Illinois
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Ownership is allowed, but carrying them requires a valid concealed carry permit.
14. Indiana
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
15. Iowa
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Knives with blades over 5 inches are illegal to carry.
16. Kansas
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
17. Kentucky
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
18. Louisiana
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Ownership is legal, but carrying a butterfly knife in public requires a permit.
19. Maine
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
20. Maryland
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Ownership is legal, but carrying in public is illegal without a permit.
21. Massachusetts
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Legal to own, but illegal to carry in public.
22. Michigan
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
23. Minnesota
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Legal to own, but illegal to carry in public.
24. Mississippi
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
25. Missouri
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
26. Montana
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
27. Nebraska
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Concealed carry of knives with blades over 3.5 inches is prohibited without a permit.
28. Nevada
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Legal to own, but illegal to carry in Clark County (Las Vegas). Outside of Clark County, they are legal.
29. New Hampshire
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
30. New Jersey
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal.
- Details: Possession and carry are prohibited.
31. New Mexico
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
32. New York
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal.
- Details: Possession of butterfly knives is prohibited.
33. North Carolina
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Ownership is legal, but carrying them concealed is illegal without a permit.
34. North Dakota
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Knives with blades over 5 inches are illegal to carry without a permit.
35. Ohio
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Recent law changes made butterfly knives legal for ownership and carry.
36. Oklahoma
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
37. Oregon
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal to carry.
- Details: Legal to own, but carrying them is prohibited.
38. Pennsylvania
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal.
- Details: Classified as illegal weapons under state law.
39. Rhode Island
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Knives with blades over 3 inches are illegal to possess.
40. South Carolina
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
41. South Dakota
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
42. Tennessee
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
43. Texas
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
44. Utah
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No statewide restrictions, but local ordinances may vary.
45. Vermont
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
46. Virginia
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are restricted.
- Details: Legal to own, but concealed carry requires a permit.
47. Washington
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are illegal.
- Details: Complete ban on possession, sale, and transfer.
48. West Virginia
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
49. Wisconsin
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: Recent changes to state law have made butterfly knives legal for ownership and carry.
50. Wyoming
- Legal Status: Butterfly knives are legal.
- Details: No restrictions on ownership or carry.
Where to Buy Butterfly Knives
If you’re looking to purchase a butterfly knife, you can find a variety of high-quality options on our site here.
Please note that we only ship to states where butterfly knives are legal. Before purchasing, ensure that butterfly knives are legal in your state and that you’re compliant with any local restrictions regarding ownership and carry.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Laws regarding butterfly knives are subject to change, and local municipalities may have additional restrictions. Always verify the current laws in your area or consult with legal counsel before purchasing or carrying a butterfly knife.