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Wisconsin Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws (2026)

Permitted: Wisconsin repealed its switchblade ban via 2015 Act 149; no statute restricts automatic, OTF, gravity or other knives by type, and any adult may own and carry them (Wis. Stat. 941.23).

PermittedVerified Jul 7, 2026
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Official source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov →

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

Switchblade & Automatic Knife Laws in states bordering Wisconsin

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

  • IllinoisConditional

    Switchblade/automatic knives are legal to own and carry for a person with a valid Illinois FOID card (720 ILCS 5/24-1(e)(2)); ballistic knives stay banned for everyone.

    Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ilga.gov · Full Illinois rule →

  • IowaPermitted

    Automatic/switchblade knives are legal for adults to own and carry; Iowa Code 702.7 lists them as 'dangerous weapons' but no law bans possession and 724.5 permits unlicensed carry.

    Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →

  • MichiganPermitted

    Michigan repealed its switchblade/automatic-knife ban (MCL 750.226a) via Public Act 96 of 2017, so automatic knives are legal to own and carry.

    Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislature.mi.gov · Full Michigan rule →

  • MinnesotaRestricted

    Manufacturing, transferring or possessing a switchblade opening automatically is a crime under Minn. Stat. 609.66 subd. 1(a)(4); a 2024 federal challenge is pending, so the ban stands.

    Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mn.gov · Full Minnesota rule →

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