Are Balisong Knives Illegal? Balisong Laws by State

It is a complex matter, actually, though, in many parts of the United States, Balisong knives are not illegal. And we say it is a complex matter because there are some states, cities, and areas where these types of knives do not have any major restriction, while in others, they are outright banned or prohibited from being carried openly. So keep on reading to know more about your city or state.

What Is a Butterfly Knife, Really?

A balisong, also called a butterfly knife, is the most familiar type of folding knife whose two handles revolve around the blade. When it is shut, the blade is hidden by the handles entirely. However, the blade can be accessed when you open the two handles. Due to its mechanism, it is additionally named a fan knife or click-clack.

At first, these knives were made in the Philippines and were used for self-defense or common tasks. Today, these knives are used for rotating by users, are part of people’s collections, and are also carried as small tools. However, the fast operation and hidden blade concept have raised suspicions in some US states; thus, the laws concerning these knives are perplexing.

Why Are Balisongs Banned in Some States?

Butterfly knives have a flashy, almost movie-like charm, particularly when one is flipped open in no time. And that is kind of the issue. In the 1980s and 90s, these knives were frequently depicted in action films and were occasionally connected to street gangs. This mix led to the legal issues, and politicians were beginning to consider them as a threat.

The outcome of that was, several states went about sorting butterfly knives together with such items as switchblades and gravity knives, though they are different from the mechanical point of view. This is the explanation for the fact that there are such jurisdictions where balisongs are prohibited without any exception, whereas some of them allow them with certain restrictions.

Is It Illegal at the Federal Level?

There are no laws at the federal level in the U.S.A. that outlaw butterfly knives. Nevertheless, each state (and occasionally even cities or counties within a state) has its own rules about it.

Hence, it would be possible that a particular state is permitting that you to take full ownership of your firearms and carry them, while the neighboring state has a law that prohibits the owning and carrying of firearms. Such a situation is very significant in the case of purchasing a butterfly knife through the internet, as one needs to be sure that the law allows it in one’s district to avoid any trouble when the package is delivered on the doorstep.

Balisong Laws by State

Here’s a simplified look at how some states treat butterfly knives:

• Texas: Legal to own and carry, just make sure the blade is under 5.5 inches when in public. Avoid places like schools, airports, and government buildings.
• California: You can own one at home. But just to be sure here, if the blade is longer than 2 inches, carrying it outside is illegal.
• Illinois: Legal statewide, but in Chicago, blade length must stay under 2.5 inches.
• Kentucky: No major restrictions. You can carry it openly or concealed.
• Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, North Carolina: Legal, but local regulations may vary, so sure enough always worth a quick check before you go about it.

Now, on the stricter side:

• Hawaii, Oregon, Ohio, Washington, New Jersey, North Dakota, and New Mexico: In these states and regions, butterfly knives are either outright banned or restricted from being carried, especially if concealed.

And then there are gray areas:

• New York: Laws have undergone a great change over the years. Recently, those regulations permit the usage of butterfly knives in specific cases, though it is still somewhat ambiguous.