Federal Law
- Federal law prohibits the carrying of all ballistic or automatic knives. These are knives with gas- or spring-powered blades that are released by a button. The mailing or transportation of switchblade knives across state lines is prohibited unless intended for military use. The concealed carry of a locking-blade pocket knife with a blade of two and a-half inches or less is allowed under federal law.
State Law
- State laws uphold the same prohibitory stance of switchblade and ballistic knives as outlined in the federal law. Because pocket knife regulations are set up through case law, and because each state has a unique set of laws that new case law is built upon, laws regarding the concealed and open carry of pocket knives differ drastically. In most cases, it is safe to carry a locking-blade pocket knife with a blade two inches long or less.