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Arkansas Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws (2026)

Permitted: Switchblades and butterfly knives are legal to own and carry; carrying a knife is an offense only if done with a purpose to unlawfully employ it as a weapon (Ark. Code 5-73-120).

PermittedVerified Jul 30, 2026

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Official source: arkleg.state.ar.us →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws in states bordering Arkansas

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

LouisianaPermitted
Louisiana repealed its switchblade ban; La. R.S. 14:95 no longer restricts owning or carrying automatic/OTF knives, so adults may own and openly carry them.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.la.gov · Full Louisiana rule →
MississippiConditional
Switchblades/automatics are legal to own and open-carry; Miss. Code 97-37-1 only criminalizes carrying them concealed (a misdemeanor) absent a 45-9-101 enhanced permit.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriPermitted
Missouri repealed its switchblade ban in 2012; owning or carrying an automatic knife is legal unless done in violation of federal law (RSMo 571.020.1(6)(d)).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OklahomaPermitted
Oklahoma removed switchblades/automatics (HB 1911, 2015) and all other knives (SB 1159, 2016) from the 1272 carry ban; any knife is legal to own and carry (21 O.S. 1272).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: oscn.net · Full Oklahoma rule →
TennesseePermitted
Switchblades are legal to own, possess, transfer and transport — Public Chapter 647 of 2014 removed them from the prohibited-weapons list effective July 1, 2014. But the same act made employing a switchblade during a dangerous offense a Class D felony (39-17-1307(e)) and raised the maximum fine to $6,000 where the deadly weapon is a switchblade (39-17-1307(d)(3)(B)).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · Full Tennessee rule →
TexasPermitted
No switchblade/auto ban; HB 1935 (2017) removed the 'illegal knife' class and switchblades appear nowhere in Penal Code ch. 46, so automatic knives are legal to own and carry (Tex. Penal Code 46.01).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: statutes.capitol.texas.gov · Full Texas rule →

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