Maine
Maine Knife Laws (2026): Concealment, Display, and Exceptions
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 24, 2026). · 9 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Maine no longer has a standalone dangerous-knives possession statute. A former statute banning possession or distribution of dangerous knives, 17-A M.R.S. § 1055, was repealed in 2015, following an earlier predecessor statute, 17 M.R.S. § 3952, repealed back in 1975. Today, a bowie knife, dirk, or stiletto is regulated in Maine only through the state's general threatening-display-and-concealment statute, which also names other dangerous or deadly weapons.
Jurisdiction scope: This page covers Maine state law only, principally 25 M.R.S. §§ 2001-A, 2004, and 2011. It does not cover Maine's general assault and terrorizing statutes, which can apply to a knife used as a weapon regardless of how it was carried.
Maine's threatening-display and concealment statute
25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(1) provides:
A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law: A. Display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person; or B. Wear under the person's clothes or conceal about the person's person a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.
This is the operative Maine statute for a bowie knife, dirk, or stiletto. It reaches two distinct kinds of conduct: displaying one of these items in a threatening manner, regardless of whether it is concealed, and separately, wearing or concealing one under clothing, regardless of whether it is displayed threateningly. Openly carrying a listed knife type without a threatening display and without concealment falls outside both clauses. A knife that does not fit the bowie knife, dirk, or stiletto description could still fall under the statute's catch-all for "other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person," a functional description rather than a blade-length threshold.
A violation is a Class D crime under 25 M.R.S. § 2004(2): "A person who violates section 2001-A commits a Class D crime."
The hunting, fishing, and trapping exception
Section 2001-A(2)(C) exempts "Knives used to hunt, fish or trap as defined in Title 12, section 10001" from the concealment ban. This exception is knife-specific, unlike the statute's other listed exceptions, which are framed around firearms: a concealed-handgun permit (paragraph A), an adult 21 or older or a service member 18 to 20 carrying a handgun (paragraph A-1), disabling chemicals (paragraph B), a law enforcement or corrections officer's handgun (paragraph D), a licensed hunter or trapper's firearm (paragraph E), a reciprocal out-of-state handgun permit (paragraph F), and various law enforcement officer exceptions (paragraphs G through I). None of these firearm-focused exceptions separately addresses a bowie knife, dirk, or stiletto beyond the hunting/fishing/trapping knife carve-out in paragraph C.
A repealed history: Maine once had a standalone dangerous-knives statute
Maine's code shows two now-repealed statutes that once regulated knives directly. 17-A M.R.S. § 1055, "Possession or distribution of dangerous knives," was repealed by PL 2015, c. 23, § 1. An earlier predecessor, 17 M.R.S. § 3952, also titled "Dangerous knives," was repealed decades earlier by PL 1975, c. 499, § 24. Neither statute's substantive text remains available in the current code; both are marked repealed with no operative text. Today, Maine's only named-knife-type regulation is the concealment and threatening-display statute discussed above.
A rarely-invoked peace-bond statute
15 M.R.S. § 292, "Persons going armed without reasonable cause," is a still-current statute that lets a court require a person who "goes armed with any dirk, pistol or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without just cause to fear an assault," to post sureties to keep the peace for a term of less than one year, on complaint of a person with cause to fear injury or a breach of the peace. This is a civil peace-bond mechanism, not a criminal offense, and it applies only when the armed person lacks just cause to fear a threat to themselves, their family, or their property.
Where can't you carry a knife in Maine?
Maine has no place-based statute that restricts where an ordinary knife may be carried. Its three place-based weapons statutes, listed below, are each written for a firearm by their own text:
- 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 bans possessing a firearm on public school property or the property of an approved private school, or discharging one within 500 feet of that property, a Class E crime. It reaches only "a firearm"; it does not name a knife.
- 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 makes it a Class D crime to possess "a firearm" in a courthouse, with exceptions for law enforcement and corrections officers, a firearm offered as evidence with prior judicial approval, and courier or security-service employees. It does not name a knife, and holding a concealed-handgun permit is expressly not a defense.
- 17-A M.R.S. § 1059 makes it a Class D crime to possess "a firearm" in a correctional facility or jail, with similar exceptions plus one for a firearm stored out of sight in a locked vehicle on the premises. It does not name a knife.
None of these statutes reaches an ordinary knife. Maine's general threatening-display and concealment statute, 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A, discussed above, still applies at a school, courthouse, or correctional facility the same way it applies anywhere else in the state; these place-based statutes add a separate, firearm-specific offense on top of it, not a knife-specific one.
Does Maine preempt local knife ordinances?
Maine does have a state preemption statute, but it is scoped to firearms, not knives. 25 M.R.S. § 2011, captioned "State preemption," sits in the same Title 25 chapter as § 2001-A above. Subsection 1 provides:
The State intends to occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies. Except as provided in subsection 3, any existing or future order, ordinance, rule or regulation in this field of any political subdivision of the State is void.
Subsection 2 bars a political subdivision from adopting any rule concerning "the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration, taxation or any other matter pertaining to firearms, components, ammunition or supplies." Subsection 3 preserves a local rule that conforms exactly to state law or regulates firearm discharge, and subsection 5 bars certain emergency-period firearm restrictions. By its own text, section 2011 never uses the word "knife," and its preemption field is firearms, components, ammunition, and supplies. Maine has no knife-specific statewide preemption statute, which means a Maine city or town remains free to regulate knives by local ordinance, unlike the firearms field that section 2011 forecloses to them.
Federal law: what it does and does not reach
Federal law does not ban an individual from owning or carrying a switchblade. The Federal Switchblade Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1241 to 1245, instead regulates interstate commerce in switchblade knives, barring their manufacture, sale, transport, or introduction into interstate commerce, and, in 15 U.S.C. § 1245, makes it a federal offense to knowingly possess, manufacture, sell, or import a ballistic knife in or affecting interstate commerce or within federal territorial jurisdiction. 15 U.S.C. § 1244 is captioned "Exceptions" and provides that the chapter "shall not apply to" the knives it lists, exempting them from the Act's prohibitions in 15 U.S.C. §§ 1242-1243 rather than changing the switchblade definition in 15 U.S.C. § 1241(b). Since a 2009 amendment, that exemption in § 1244(5) has covered any knife with a spring, detent, or other closure-bias mechanism that requires hand, wrist, or arm exertion to overcome the bias and assist opening, the carve-out that keeps modern assisted-opening folding knives legal in interstate commerce. A separate exception, § 1244(4), lets a person with only one arm possess and carry a switchblade with a blade three inches or less. None of this changes what Maine allows for ordinary carry; Maine's own concealment and threatening-display statute above governs that question within the state.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about Maine's knife laws as of September 2026. It is not legal advice. Consult a lawyer licensed in Maine for advice about a specific situation. Whether a knife qualifies as a bowie knife, dirk, stiletto, or "other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person" under 25 M.R.S. 2001-A can depend on the specific knife and the circumstances of its display or concealment.
For a state-by-state comparison, see knife laws by state. Maine's self-defense statutes are covered separately on the Maine self-defense laws page.
Statutes cited reflect their in-force version as of 2026-09-18. Last updated: 2026-09-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to carry a knife in Maine?
Openly carrying a knife without a threatening display is not restricted by 25 M.R.S. 2001-A. Concealing a bowie knife, dirk, stiletto, or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in an attack or defense is a Class D crime, unless an exception applies, such as the knife being used for hunting, fishing, or trapping.
Does Maine have a specific law banning dangerous knives?
Not anymore. Maine once had a dedicated dangerous-knives possession and distribution statute, 17-A M.R.S. 1055, repealed in 2015, following an earlier predecessor repealed in 1975. Named knife types are now regulated only through the concealment and threatening-display statute, 25 M.R.S. 2001-A.
Can you carry a hunting knife concealed in Maine?
Yes. 25 M.R.S. 2001-A(2)(C) exempts knives used to hunt, fish, or trap, as defined in 12 M.R.S. 10001, from the concealment ban that otherwise covers a bowie knife, dirk, or stiletto.
Are switchblades illegal in Maine?
Maine's code contains no switchblade-specific statute. A switchblade would be regulated the same way as any other knife under 25 M.R.S. 2001-A, which turns on threatening display or concealment, not on the mechanism by which the blade opens.
Does Maine preempt local knife ordinances?
No. Maine's preemption statute, 25 M.R.S. 2011, declares the State's intent to occupy and preempt the field of firearms, components, ammunition, and supplies regulation, but it never names knives. A Maine city or town remains free to regulate knives by local ordinance.
Where can't you carry a knife in Maine?
Maine has no place-based statute that restricts where an ordinary knife may be carried. Its three place-based weapons statutes, covering school property (20-A M.R.S. 6552), courthouses (17-A M.R.S. 1058), and correctional facilities or jails (17-A M.R.S. 1059), are each written for a firearm by their own text. The general concealment and threatening-display statute, 25 M.R.S. 2001-A, still applies at those locations the same way it applies anywhere else.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25: INTERNAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Part 5: PUBLIC SAFETY, Chapter 252: PERMITS TO CARRY CONCEALED HANDGUNS
§ 2001-AThreatening display of or carrying concealed weaponIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. Display or carrying prohibited. A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law: A. Display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person; or [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] B. Wear under the person's clothes or conceal about the person's person a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] 2. Exceptions. The provisions of this section concerning the carrying of concealed weapons do not apply to: A. A handgun carried by a person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued as provided in this chapter; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).] A-1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-24 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Jones (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2012, 46 A.3d 1125)“…ons and knives based upon their design or primary function. 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(1)(B). The statutory scheme expressly p…”
- State v. Mills (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2006, 910 A.2d 1053)“…ch. 452 §§ N-l, N-2 (effective July 1, 2004) (codified at 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A (2005)). 3 . Garci…”
- State v. Cannell (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2007, 916 A.2d 231)“…Section 2001 has since been repealed and replaced by 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A (2006). P.L. 2003, ch. 452, § N-l (effe…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026)
§ 2004PenaltyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. False statements. A person who intentionally or knowingly makes a false statement in the written application for a permit to carry a concealed handgun or any documents made a part of the application commits a Class D crime. 2. Carries or conceals dangerous weapon. A person who violates section 2001‑A commits a Class D crime. 3. Failure to possess permit. A person who fails to comply with section 2003, subsection 11 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $100 may be adjudged. 4. Violation of confidentiality. A person who intentionally or knowingly violates the confidentiality provisions of section 2006 commits a Class E crime. 5. Failure to inform law enforcement. A person who fails to comply with section 2003‑A commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $100 may be adjudged.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 25: INTERNAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, Part 5: PUBLIC SAFETY, Chapter 252-A: FIREARMS REGULATION
§ 2011State preemptionIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. Preemption. The State intends to occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies. Except as provided in subsection 3, any existing or future order, ordinance, rule or regulation in this field of any political subdivision of the State is void. 2. Regulation restricted. Except as provided in subsection 3, no political subdivision of the State, including, but not limited to, municipalities, counties, townships and village corporations, may adopt any order, ordinance, rule or regulation concerning the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration, taxation or any other matter pertaining to firearms, components, ammunition or supplies. 3. Exception. This section does not prohibit an order, ordinance, rule or regulation of any political subdivision which, with the exception of appropriate civil penalty provisions, conforms exactly with any applicable provision of state law or which regulates the discharge of firearms within a jurisdiction. 4. Law enforcement agency.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Doe v. Portland Housing Authority (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1995, 656 A.2d 1200)“…at the PHA is a political subdivision within the meaning of 25 M.R.S.A. § 2011 (Supp. 1994), the lease provision, whic…”
- Hilly v. City of Portland (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1990, 582 A.2d 1213)“…ying of firearms at night. Shortly thereafter, enactment of 25 M.R.S.A. § 2011 specifically preempted the entire field…”
- LODER v. MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (District Court, D. Maine 2021)“…ich prohibits the State from keeping a firearms registry; 25 M.R.S. § 2011(5)(A)(3), which prohibits the State fro…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE, Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES, Chapter 43: WEAPONS
§ 1055§1055. Possession or distribution of dangerous knivesRepealed
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Johnson (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 95 A.3d 621)“…possession or distribution of dangerous knives (Class D), 17-A M.R.S. § 1055(1), (2) (2013), and refusing to submit…”
- State v. Jones (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2012, 46 A.3d 1125)“…y an outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement. 17-A M.R.S. § 1055(1) (2011).…”
- State v. Michael M. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2001, 772 A.2d 1179)“…ry of a judgment of conviction. 1 . 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1055 (1983) prohibits trafficking in dangero…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 1058Unauthorized possession of firearm in courthouseIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. A person is guilty of unauthorized possession of a firearm in a courthouse if that person in fact possesses a firearm in a courthouse. 2. This section does not apply to: A. A law enforcement officer, a corrections officer or a corrections supervisor engaged in the performance of the law enforcement officer's, corrections officer's or corrections supervisor's public duty; [PL 2007, c. 466, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).] B. A person possessing an unloaded firearm for the purpose of offering the firearm as evidence in a civil or criminal proceeding if the presiding judge or justice has granted prior approval in writing to the person and the person possesses a copy of the written approval; or [PL 2007, c. 466, Pt. C, §6 (AMD).] C. An employee of a courier or security service in the course and scope of employment for the courier or security service, as approved by the judicial marshal. [PL 2013, c. 147, §1 (AMD).] 2-A. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the person holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun issued under Title 25, chapter 252. 3. Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a courthouse is a Class D crime.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
§ 1059Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a correctional facility or jailIn force
1. A person is guilty of unauthorized possession of a firearm in a correctional facility or jail if that person in fact possesses a firearm in a correctional facility or jail or on the premises of the correctional facility or jail. 2. This section does not apply to: A. A law enforcement officer, a corrections officer or a corrections supervisor engaged in the performance of the law enforcement officer's, corrections officer's or corrections supervisor's public duty; [PL 2021, c. 266, §1 (NEW).] B. An employee of a courier or security service in the course and scope of employment for the courier or security service, as approved by the chief administrative officer of the correctional facility or the jail administrator; or [PL 2021, c. 266, §1 (NEW).] C. A person who has stored a firearm out of sight in a locked motor vehicle that is on the premises of a correctional facility or jail. [PL 2021, c. 266, §1 (NEW).] 3. It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the person holds a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun issued under Title 25, chapter 252. 4. Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a correctional facility or jail is a Class D crime. 5.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17: CRIMES, Chapter 131: MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES
§ 3952§3952. Dangerous knivesRepealed
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 15: COURT PROCEDURE -- CRIMINAL, Part 1: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE GENERALLY, Chapter 11: SECURITY TO KEEP THE PEACE
§ 292Persons going armed without reasonable causeIn force
A person who goes armed with any dirk, pistol or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without just cause to fear an assault on that person or that person's family or property, may, on complaint of any person having cause to fear an injury or breach of the peace, be required to find sureties to keep the peace for a term of less than one year and, in case of refusal, may be committed as provided in section 285. [RR 2023, c. 2, Pt. D, §45 (COR).]
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A: EDUCATION, Part 3: ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, Chapter 223: HEALTH, NUTRITION AND SAFETY
§ 6552FirearmsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
1. Prohibition. A person may not possess a firearm on public school property or the property of an approved private school or discharge a firearm within 500 feet of public school property or the property of an approved private school. 2. Exceptions. The provisions under subsection 1 do not apply to the following. A. The prohibition on the possession and discharge of a firearm does not apply to law enforcement officials. [PL 2009, c. 614, §3 (RPR).] B. The prohibition on the possession of a firearm does not apply to the following persons, if the possession is authorized by a written policy adopted by the school board: (1) A person who possesses an unloaded firearm for use in a supervised educational program approved and authorized by the school board and for which the school board has adopted appropriate safeguards to ensure student safety; and (2) A person who possesses an unloaded firearm that is stored inside a locked vehicle in a closed container, a zipped case or a locked firearms rack while the person is attending a hunter's breakfast or similar event that: (a) Is held during an open firearm season established under Title 12, Part 13 for any species of wild bird or wild…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12: CONSERVATION, Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE, Chapter 901: DEFINITIONS
§ 10001DefinitionsIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
As used in this Part, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).] 1. Aircraft. "Aircraft" means a machine or device designed for flight. 2. Alien. 3. Antlerless moose. "Antlerless moose" means a moose without antlers. 3-A. Aquarium. "Aquarium" means an enclosed container used in importing, possessing or displaying nonnative and exotic species of fish or other aquatic organisms that has a closed operating system, that is located within a home, exhibition building or other permanent all-season structure and that does not allow the discharge of water or aquatic organisms into the inland waters of the State. 3-B. Archery equipment. "Archery equipment" means a bow or crossbow. 4. Artificial lure. "Artificial lure" means a fishing lure constructed by humans as an imitation of or substitute for natural bait or fish forage. "Artificial lure" includes, but is not limited to, artificial flies, spinners, spoons, poppers, plugs, jigs and plastic, rubber or other artificial imitations of natural bait. 5. Atlantic salmon.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 4 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State of Maine v. Richard Peters (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2024, 2024 ME 33)“…024)). 16 the statutory definition of hunt” as set out in 12 M.R.S. § 10001(31) (2024).7 The court noted that Pete…”
- State v. McKeen (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2009, 977 A.2d 382)“…g "motor vehicles," which by definition include ATVs, see 12 M.R.S. § 10001(41) (2008). McKeen argues that when sec…”
- Virginia Parker v. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2024, 2024 ME 22)“…used in Maine statutes to refer to hunting. See 12 M.R.S. § 10001(31) (2023) (“Hunt. To ‘hunt’ means to .…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Drone Laws: Police Warrant Rules & Privacy Explained
United States Code Title 15
§ 1241DefinitionsIn forcecited in 52 of our articles
As used in this chapter— The term “interstate commerce” means commerce between any State, Territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof. The term “switchblade knife” means any knife having a blade which opens automatically— by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 15 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Stewart A. Taylor, D/B/A Taylor Cutlery Mfg. Co. v. United States of America (Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 1988, 848 F.2d 715)“…Service, are not switchblade knives within the meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 1241 (b) and 19 C.F.R. § 1295 (a)(1). The d…”
- Crowley Cutlery Company v. United States of America and Commissioner of Customs of the United States Customs Service (Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 1988, 849 F.2d 273)“…Illinois for a declaration that the Switchblade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1241 et seq., which forbids th…”
- Edna Fall, as Administratrix of the Estate of Phillip Fall, Deceased v. Esso Standard Oil Company (Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 1962, 297 F.2d 411)“…25 S.Ct. 158 , 49 L.Ed. 363 . Section 1 of the Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 1241 (b), defines the term “switchblade knif…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Knife Laws by State (2026): Carry Rules, Blade Limits, Penalties, Alabama Knife Laws (2026): What Is Legal to Carry, Alaska Knife Laws (2026): Concealed Carry Rules Explained
§ 1244ExceptionsIn forcecited in 52 of our articles
Sections 1242 and 1243 of this title shall not apply to— any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any switchblade knife shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment in interstate commerce in the ordinary course of business; the manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution, possession, or introduction into interstate commerce, of switchblade knives pursuant to contract with the Armed Forces; the Armed Forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his duty; the possession, and transportation upon his person, of any switchblade knife with a blade three inches or less in length by any individual who has only one arm; or a knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Also relied on in: Arizona Knife Laws (2026): Carry Rules and Preemption, Arkansas Knife Laws (2026): Intent-Based Carry Rules, California Knife Laws (2026): Four Blade-Length Rules
§ 1245Ballistic knivesIn forcecited in 50 of our articles
Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years, or both. The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section. As used in this section, the term “ballistic knife” means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2008
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- ALCANTAR (Board of Immigration Appeals 1994, 20 I. & N. Dec. 801)“…ed by an adult, would be felony and crime of violence); cf. 15 U.S.C. § 1245(b) (1988) (use of ballistic knife in co…”
- United States v. Polizzi (District Court, E.D. New York 2008, 549 F. Supp. 2d 308)“…8 Trust in l’estraint of import trade 3 months 15 U.S.C. § 1245 (b) Possession/use of a ballistic knife…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Colorado Knife Laws (2026): Concealed Carry and Exceptions, Connecticut Knife Laws (2026): Open and Concealed Carry, Delaware Knife Laws (2026): Carry, Switchblades, and Bans
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Sources and References
- 25 M.R.S. 2001-A - Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon (bowie knife, dirk, stiletto; hunting/fishing/trapping exception)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 25 M.R.S. 2004 - Penalty (Class D crime for violating 2001-A)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S. 1055 - Possession or distribution of dangerous knives (repealed 2015)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17 M.R.S. 3952 - Dangerous knives (repealed 1975; predecessor statute)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 15 M.R.S. 292 - Persons going armed without reasonable cause (peace-bond statute, names dirk)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 25 M.R.S. 2011 - State preemption (firearms, components, ammunition, supplies; does not name knives)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 20-A M.R.S. 6552 - Firearms on school property (firearm-only, does not name knives)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S. 1058 - Unauthorized possession of firearm in courthouse (firearm-only)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S. 1059 - Unauthorized possession of firearm in a correctional facility or jail (firearm-only)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 15 U.S.C. 1241-1245 - Federal Switchblade Act, interstate commerce and importation scope(law.cornell.edu)
- 15 U.S.C. 1244 - exceptions, including the 2009 assisted-opening carve-out and the one-arm exception(law.cornell.edu)