Where Are Butterfly Knives Illegal? Quick Answer - Kitchen Queries (2023)

FAQs

Where in the world are butterfly knives illegal? ›

In New Zealand, balisongs are illegal. In Norway, balisongs are illegal. In the Philippines, it is now generally illegal to carry one without identification or a proper permit in the streets of the capital because of their prevalent use in crime and altercations.

The states that ban butterfly knives include Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Washington. Butterfly knives are not allowed to be owned or used at all in these three states. Carrying or even owning a butterfly knife in these states could lead to severe legal penalties.

Under California Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are classified as a form of switchblade. Carrying, possessing in public, selling, or otherwise transferring a butterfly knife is illegal under this legislation.

In the state of Washington, these knives are considered “spring blade knives.” This means that one is not legally allowed to sell, possess, dispose of, or manufacture butterfly knives.

Under Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are considered a form of a switchblade and are illegal in California. Specifically, it is a crime to carry, possess in public, sell, or otherwise transfer a butterfly knife.

Under Tex. Penal Code § 46.01 (2012), it's legal to own and openly carry knives, along with throwing stars (and any other type of throwing knife), swords, spears, switchblade knives, pocket knives, and Balisongs (butterfly knives).

If your knife has a fixed blade less than four inches long, it is perfectly legal to carry it in New York. However, if the knife is a folding knife, balisong or “butterfly knife,” a “gravity knife,” or any form of pilum ballistic, it is illegal to possess on your person in New York.

Which knives are illegal in New York? Possession of switchblades, pilum ballistic knives, metal knuckle knives, cane swords, and “Kung Fu stars” is prohibited. Some knives are not illegal, but become illegal based upon how they are used or possessed.

Plus, butterfly knives can be extremely dangerous. With enough skill, they can be opened extremely quickly (like a switchblade) and cause serious harm.

What is the difference between balisong and butterfly knife? ›

Balisongs, often referred to as butterfly knives, are typically recognized by their two-handle design. A balisong is defined as a knife with two folding handles that rotate on pivots to become a sheath. Despite its simple definition, there are many unique features that differ from one balisong to another.

Offensive per se i.e. those items made for the use of causing injury to the person. Examples are a truncheon, a rice flail, a butterfly knife.

When carried openly, there are no legal consequences for carrying a butterfly knife in Oregon. However, because they fall under the stabbing category, they are illegal to carry concealed. As long as you don't attempt to hide these knives on your person, you can carry butterfly knives freely.

While some places have bans that prevent people from selling or even owning certain kinds of knives, Louisiana doesn't restrict knife ownership in that way. You can own anything from a so-called butterfly knife or a dirk to a switchblade in Louisiana.

It is legal to own any type of knife in Tennessee including automatic, ballistic, switchblade, butterfly and “assisted opening” knives. There are no restrictions on the blade length of any knife being carried. Further, Tennessee makes no distinction between open and concealed carry of knives.

Butterfly Knives are Illegal to carry in California. The laws concerning butterfly knives are not specifically detailed in the California Statutes. However, the California Courts have determined that butterfly knives fit within the definition of switchblades.

Lawful Possession of a Knife

The list of knives that are not illegal in New Jersey include: It is legal to own disguised knives like lipstick knives. Butterfly knives.

Switchblade knives, a category that includes gravity and butterfly knives, are prohibited. It is likely that assisted opening knives would be included within the switchblade prohibition. See the discussion below concerning automatic knives.

List Of Knives Legal to Own in Georgia. -Balisong knives or butterfly knives are legal. -Bowie knives, switchblades, and all other large knives are legal. -Throwing stars and throwing knives are legal.

It is legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess any of the following knives in any city in Arizona: Pocket/Folding Knife. Butterfly Knife. Switchblade.

Is butterfly knife legal in Virginia? ›

It is legal to own any type of knife in Virginia. It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, bowie knife, switchblade, machete, ballistic knife, throwing starts or oriental darts, or any knife of a like kind. It is legal to open carry any type of knife.

There are no illegal knife types under the law, so as long as a knife is carried openly, it is legal to wear it.

Pocket knives, daggers, razors, box cutters, butterfly knives and Bowie knives are also legal in Pennsylvania. The state does not currently restrict knives over a certain blade length. Pennsylvania residents older than 21 can apply for a concealed carry permit.

State law prohibits knowingly possessing an illegal weapon, which includes gravity and switchblade knives. 1 Knowingly possessing an illegal weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by 6 to 18 months imprisonment, a $500 to $5,000 fine, or both imprisonment and a fine. Section 18-12-102, C.R.S.

A ballistic knife is essentially a blade attached to a hollow handle that fits inside of another outer hollow handle, which contains a coil spring.

Ballistic knives are the most banned knives in the country, and the fed says there are good reasons behind the restraint order.

Illegal Knives in Florida

Under Florida law, it is illegal to manufacture, display, sell, own, or possess any ballistic or self-propelled knife. Any person found with a ballistic knife will be charged with a first degree misdemeanor.

Under New York City law, it is illegal to carry a knife with a blade longer than four inches, unless it is a work-related tool or is being used for activities like hunting or camping. And under state law, it is illegal for a person under the age of 16 to carry a "dangerous" knife.

A knife is not illegal because it is designed to open by the force of gravity and lock into place; the knife is illegal when it actually does open by the force of gravity and locks into place by means of a procedure used by the District Attorney's office to identify a gravity knife, called the “wrist flick test.”

In the eyes of both New York weapon lawyers and prosecutors, there is no distinction between possessing an illegal knife or metal knuckles. Both of these weapons violate New York Penal Law 265.01(1).

Can a butterfly knife break? ›

Also, since butterfly knives aren't fixed blades, they have more parts that can break than a fixed blade and are therefore (you guessed it) more susceptible to breaking when used for prying.

The word "balisong" is thought to have originated there. Filipinos from the Tagalog region, employed the balisong as a self-defense and pocket utility knife. Before conventional razors were introduced in the Philippines, hollow-grind balisongs were also used as straight razors.

A balisong trainer is a standard balisong / butterfly knife without a blade. It is 100 percent legal in the us and, unlike a knife, you can't cut yourself. The butterfly trainer will help you learn how to flip without getting injured but, note, you can develop bad habits if you stay on the trainer too long.

Benchmade, based in Oregan began in 1979 as the Pacific Cutlery Corporation. Founded by Les de Asis, the company mainly made balisong or “butterfly” knives. Today, the iconic butterfly logo which marks all of their blades is an homage to those early days of the company.

The butterfly knife, sometimes referred to as Batangas blade, is a lethal weapon that in the hands of a skilled professional can be opened faster, than a western switchblade. Perfecto de Leon introduced the knife in 1905 where most of the butterfly knives originated from barrio Balisong Taal, Batangas.

any parts of devises that could be used are allowed to be confiscated in customs or by local law enforcement, the butterfly knife (bail-song) is illegal to; own.

Prohibited knives: Any knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity, by centrifugal force, or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife (butterfly knives, switchblades, etc.) is a prohibited item and is considered an illegal item under the ...

Offensive weapons fall into three categories: Those made for causing injury to the person. These include: machetes, swords, flick knives, truncheons. These weapons are classed as having no innocent quality.

Automatic knives, switchblades, and butterfly knives are legal to own in Florida. They can be legally carried in the open similar to other knives. If you want to concealed carry any automatic knife, regardless of the blade size, you must possess a concealed carry permit.

No, butterfly knives are generally legal under Nevada knife laws. However, people who take a butterfly knife with a blade of at least two (2) inches long to a school may face criminal charges if they are also trespassing, loitering, causing a nuisance, or defacing school property.

Are butterfly knives illegal in Missouri? ›

It is legal to own Balisong knives, sometimes called butterfly knives. It is legal to own undetectable knives–knives that will not set off metal detectors. It is legal to own throwing stars and throwing knives and even throwing axes. It is legal to own Bowie knives and other large knives.

Also, minors under 18 years old should never carry a switchblade. However, there are some exceptions to this prohibition, including knives carried for lawful purposes such as fishing, hunting, or camping. Therefore, otf switchblades are legal if you open-carry and use them for outdoor sports.

Alabama has one of the most relaxed knife laws in the U.S.A. You can practically own any knife that you wish. The state law does not restrict its people from owning any kind of knife. Simply put, there are no forbidden knives under Alabama law. This makes the Yellowhammer State a haven for tactical knife enthusiasts.

It is legal to own the following types of knives: Switchblades and automatic knives. Balisong or butterfly knives. Dirks, daggers, stilettos and other stabbing knives.

What knives are legal to own in Wisconsin? 2015 Wisconsin Act 149 allows for the possession and concealed carry of switchblade, butterfly, bowie, daggers, dirks, ballistic, and hidden knives unless you have been convicted of a felony.

It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-10-503. Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic*, gravity*, switchblade* or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)

Generally forbidden are automatic and semi-automatic knives, throwing knives, butterfly knives and fixed knives with a parry bar. Knives disguised as objects are also prohibited. In general, you should not carry anything concealed.

Any kind of Balisong and OTF's are strictly banned. Never bring one of those to Germany without an official permit, not even a press sample in a locked box. The possession of Butterfly knives and OTF's is a penal offence, that can be penalized with up to one year in prison or financial penalty.

Unlike in the United States, it is illegal to carry knives (of any length) off base in Greece without the express permission of the competent Greek police authority, according to Lt.

Are butterfly knives legal in Italy? ›

The only knives which are per se illegal to possess are balisong/ballistic knives.

You also can't carry weapons like flick knives, daggers, butterfly knives or knuckle knives, swords, nunchakus, knuckle-dusters, shanghais, blow guns, imitation firearms, capsicum spray, slingshots, weighted or studded gloves, throwing stars or catapults without a special exemption or permission from police.

It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less.

Legal Knives in Alabama

A balisong, also known as a butterfly knife, is legal to own. Knives with automatic or assisted opening systems are legal, despite the common misconceptions about them. This includes gravity knives and switchblades. It is also legal to have a toothpick knife, a stiletto, or a dirk.

It is legal to own any type of knife in Tennessee including automatic, ballistic, switchblade, butterfly and “assisted opening” knives. There are no restrictions on the blade length of any knife being carried. Further, Tennessee makes no distinction between open and concealed carry of knives.

A ballistic knife is essentially a blade attached to a hollow handle that fits inside of another outer hollow handle, which contains a coil spring.

Possession of knives and other articles. 9. —(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where a person has with him in any public place any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, he shall be guilty of an offence.

Knives are now classified as category D weapons. The law in force in France - which governs the possession, carrying and transport of weapons - is clear and states that the purchase and possession of knives is free. Whereas the carrying and transporting of such weapons without legitimate reason is normally prohibited.