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Georgia Local Knife-Law Preemption (2026)

Info: Georgia law defines "knife" as a blade longer than 12 inches for weapons-carry purposes, so an ordinary pocket knife is not a regulated weapon (O.C.G.A. 16-11-125.1, as revised by SB 319 of 2022).

InfoVerified Jul 30, 2026

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Georgia law defines "knife" as a blade longer than 12 inches for weapons-carry purposes, so an ordinary pocket knife is not a regulated weapon (O.C.G.A. 16-11-125.1, as revised by SB 319 of 2022). Whether the state's weapons-preemption provisions extend to knives could not be confirmed from an official Georgia source — Georgia does not publish its Code on any state domain. Treat local knife ordinances as possible and check locally.

Official source: gov.georgia.gov →

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

Local Knife-Law Preemption in states bordering Georgia

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

AlabamaConditional
No statewide knife preemption; Ala. Code 13A-11-61.3 preempts local regulation only of firearms, ammunition and accessories, so cities/counties may still regulate knives.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
FloridaConditional
Florida's weapons preemption (Fla. Stat. 790.33) occupies only the field of firearms and ammunition; it does not mention knives, so it does not preempt local knife ordinances.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: leg.state.fl.us · Full Florida rule →
North CarolinaConditional
North Carolina preempts only firearms regulation (G.S. 14-409.40); knives are not preempted, so cities and counties may regulate knife carry.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
South CarolinaConditional
No SC statute preempts local knife ordinances; 23-31-510 preempts only local regulation of firearms and ammunition, not knives.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: scstatehouse.gov · Full South Carolina rule →
TennesseePermitted
Tennessee preempts local knife regulation: state law occupies the field on the transfer, ownership, possession and transportation of knives, and no city, county or metropolitan government may regulate it (T.C.A. 39-17-1314, added by Public Chapter 418 of 2013, effective July 1, 2013).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · Full Tennessee rule →

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