← Maryland knife laws›Concealed Knife Carry

Maryland Concealed Knife Carry (2026)

Conditional: An adult may carry a common penknife concealed, but Md. Crim. Law 4-101 bars carrying any concealed 'dangerous weapon' (dirk, bowie, switchblade, star knife); a non-switchblade penknife is excepted.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: mgaleg.maryland.gov →

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

Concealed Knife Carry in states bordering Maryland

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

DelawareConditional
Carrying a concealed deadly weapon (which can include a knife) without a 1441 license is a class G felony, so concealed knife carry generally requires a license (11 Del. C. 1442).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: delcode.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
District of ColumbiaConditional
No general concealed-knife ban; DC bars possessing a knife with a blade over 3 inches only with intent to use it unlawfully (22-4514(b)); switchblades are banned outright.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: code.dccouncil.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
PennsylvaniaPermitted
PA has no statewide blade-length limit or concealed-knife ban; only 'offensive weapons' under 18 Pa.C.S. 908 (which no longer includes ordinary or automatic knives) are prohibited.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.state.pa.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VirginiaConditional
An adult may carry a common folding pocketknife concealed, but concealing a dirk, bowie, stiletto, ballistic knife, machete or like weapon is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code 18.2-308).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
West VirginiaPermitted
Adults 21+ may carry a concealed deadly weapon (any knife) without a license; a pocketknife with a blade 3.5 in or less, or a recreational/tool knife, isn't a regulated 'deadly weapon' (W. Va. Code 61-7-2).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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