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California Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws (2026)

Restricted: Switchblades with a blade 2 inches or longer are illegal to carry on the person, keep in a vehicle in public, or sell (Cal. Penal Code 21510).

RestrictedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov →

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

Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws in states bordering California

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

ArizonaPermitted
Automatic/switchblade knives are legal to own and carry; Arizona designates no prohibited knife type and reserves all knife regulation to the state (ARS 13-3120).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: azleg.gov · Full Arizona rule →
NevadaPermitted
SB176 (2015) removed switchblades from Nevada's prohibited-weapons list and repealed the switchblade-permit rule, so automatic/OTF/gravity knives are legal to own and carry (NRS 202.350).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: leg.state.nv.us · Full Nevada rule →
OregonConditional
Owning and openly carrying an automatic/switchblade knife is legal in Oregon, but ORS 166.240 makes carrying one concealed a misdemeanor.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: oregonlegislature.gov · Full Oregon rule →

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