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Pennsylvania Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws (2026)

Permitted: 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.

PermittedVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: legis.state.pa.us →

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

Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws in states bordering Pennsylvania

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

DelawareConditional
Delaware repealed its switchblade ban (former 11 Del.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 C. 1442), and an un-repealed dealer-licensing provision (24 Del.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.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: delcode.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
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 →
New YorkRestricted
A switchblade remains a per-se prohibited weapon (class A misdemeanor) under NY Penal Law 265.01(1); gravity knives were removed from the ban in 2019.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
OhioPermitted
SB 140 (eff. 4/12/2021) repealed Ohio's switchblade/gravity-knife ban; only 'ballistic knives' remain restricted, so automatic knives are legal to own and carry (ORC 2923.11).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: codes.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
West VirginiaPermitted
West Virginia bans no knife by type; switchblade, gravity and OTF knives are lawful 'deadly weapons' that adults 21+ may own and carry, concealed included, without a license (2016 constitutional carry).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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