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Delaware Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws (2026)

Conditional: Delaware repealed its switchblade ban (former 11 Del. C. 1446) effective July 30, 2025 (SB 108), so owning and carrying automatic knives is now broadly legal; carrying one concealed still requires a license (11 Del. C. 1442), and an un-repealed dealer-licensing provision (24 Del. C. 901) still nominally bars switchblade possession/sale.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: delcode.delaware.gov →

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

Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws in states bordering Delaware

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

MarylandRestricted
Owning and openly carrying a switchblade is legal, but Md. Crim. Law 4-105 bans selling/transferring it and 4-101 bars carrying it concealed.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
New JerseyRestricted
Possessing a switchblade, gravity or ballistic knife (or dagger, dirk, stiletto) 'without any explainable lawful purpose' is a fourth-degree crime; self-defense is not a lawful purpose (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(e)).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: pub.njleg.gov · Full New Jersey rule →
PennsylvaniaPermitted
Act 119 of 2022 (eff. Jan 2, 2023) struck automatic/switchblade knives from 18 Pa.C.S. 908's 'offensive weapons' definition, making them legal to own and carry in PA.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →

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