Austria Beginning with the Austrian Arms Act of 1996 switchblades, like all other knives, are generally legal to buy, import, possess or carry, regardless of blade length or opening or locking mechanism. The only exception are minors (defined as persons under the age of 18) and people who have been expressly banned from owning and carrying any weapon (
Waffenverbot): both groups may only possess knives which are not considered "weapons" under the Arms Act, defined as "objects that by their very nature are intended to reduce or eliminate the defensive ability of a person through direct impact".
Australia In Australia, switchblades are banned by the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations as a Prohibited Import. Australian customs refer to the automatic knife or switchblade as a flick knife. Australian law defines a flick knife as a knife that has a blade which opens automatically by gravity, by centrifugal force, or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife, a definition that would cover not only switchblades and automatic-opening knives, but also
gravity knives and
balisongs. At a state and local level, most jurisdictions declare flick knives to be prohibited weapons in their respective acts, codes and regulations. Persons residing in states that do not have specific weapons legislation covering switchblades (such as
Tasmania) are still covered by Federal Customs legislation, but in conditions where the state has no legislation against such items, an exemption may be applied for and received if approved by the chief supervisory officer of the police service in that state. Some states which have specific legislation against switchblades allow individuals to apply for an exemption from this legislation if they have a legitimate reason. For example, in the state of Victoria, a member of a bona fide knife-collectors' association, who is not a prohibited person (per the Firearms Act 1996), and meets other guidelines and conditions may apply to the Chief Commissioner of Police for a Prohibited Weapons Exemption to possess, carry, or otherwise own such a knife. This exemption may then, in turn, be used to apply to the Australian Customs Service for an import permit.
Belgium Article 3, §1 of the 2006 Weapons Act In Belgium, the police and local jurisdictions are also allowed to prohibit the carrying or possession of a wide variety of knives, which are not explicitly banned by law, if the owner cannot establish a legitimate reason (
motif légitime) for having that knife, particularly in urban areas or at public events.
Canada Under Part III of the
Criminal Code a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, is illegal to possess, import, sell, buy, trade, or carry on one's person. These are prohibited weapons (
armes défendues). While certain businesses can be granted a
licence to acquire and possess prohibited weapons such as switchblades for use as props in movie productions, these exemptions do not apply to individuals.
Czech Republic It is legal to carry and possess switchblades or automatic knives in the Czech Republic.
Denmark Any type of automatic-opening knife or bladed tool that can be opened using just one hand (this includes any one-handed knife that has been deactivated by removing its opening mechanism) is illegal to own or possess. Multi-tools featuring one-hand opening blades are also illegal to own or possess. Manually opened one-handed knives are legal. The law forbids carrying or importing any automatic knife that has the blade completely hidden like
OTF switchblades. The restriction does not apply to importing historically significant knives or those with significant artistic value. The law requires that switchblades be cased and secured while being transported. or
Springer). All large side-opening switchblade knives (blade longer than ),
OTF switchblades, balisongs or butterfly knives (blade longer than ), and gravity knives are illegal to own, import or export under German law. Side-opening switchblade knives with single-edged blades not longer than and incorporating a continuous
spine are legal to own. Legal switchblades may be carried both open and concealed on one's person if there is a justified need for it ("berechtigtes Bedürfnis") or if the weapon cannot be accessed with less than 3 moves ("Transport in verschlossenem Behältnis"). Other laws or regulations may still prohibit the carrying of otherwise legal automatic or switchblade knives, particularly in certain situations or places (gatherings on public ground, check-in areas of airports).
Hungary According to
decree 175/2003. (X. 28.) of the
Hungarian government a közbiztonságra különösen veszélyes eszközökről (about the instruments particularly hazardous to public safety), it is prohibited to possess a switchblade in public places or private places open to the public – that includes the inside of vehicles present there – and on public transport vehicles, except for filmmaking and theatrical performances. Members of the
Hungarian Army, law enforcement, national security agencies and armed forces stationed in Hungary are exempt from this limitation together with those who are authorised to carry such instruments by legislation. Sale of a switchblade is authorised only to the persons and organizations above.
Customs clearance of switchblades may not be performed for private individuals such as tourists.
Hong Kong According to the Weapons Ordinance (Cap. 217), any person who has possession of any prohibited items (including Gravity Knife and Flick Knife) commits an offence.
Ireland Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 makes it an offence to carry a "flick knife" in any public space without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. A
summary conviction is punishable with either a €1000 fine, up to 12 months imprisonment or both but if
indictable the penalty can be up to five years in prison. The Act, which classifies a flick knife as an offensive weapon, also prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of these knives. Conviction for any of these offences carries a sentence of up to seven years imprisonment.
Italy In Italy, the switchblade or automatic opening knife (
coltello a scatto) is defined by law as an offensive weapon (
arma bianca) rather than a tool. A firearms license (''porto d'armi
) or a police clearance (nulla osta'') are required to legally purchase one. Such knives may not be transported outside of one's property without a valid reason (self-defense is not) and it is always illegal to carry one in a ready to use condition, neither concealed nor unconcealed. The Italian
Ministry of Interior has warned that switchblade knives will be considered offensive weapons in their own right.
Japan In Japan any switchblade over in blade length requires permission from the prefectural public safety commission in order to possess at home. However, switchblades and assisted open knives are prohibited from carry under any circumstances.
Lithuania According to Lithuanian law it is illegal to carry or possess a switchblade if it meets one of the following criteria: the blade is longer than ; the width in the middle of the blade is less than 14% of its total length; the blade is double sided.
Mexico It is legal to carry and possess switchblades in Mexico.
Netherlands As of 2012, it is prohibited to own or possess, whether kept at home or not, any stilettos, switchblades, folding knives with more than one cutting edge, and throwing knives. The Summary Offences Act 1981 and the Crimes Act 1961 section 202A(4)(a) make it an offence to possess any weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse.
Norway Switchblades or automatic knives (
springkniver) may not be acquired, possessed, or carried in Norway "without justifiable purpose" and also assuming they "appear as products of violence".
Poland Knives, including switchblades, although regarded as dangerous tools, are not considered weapons under Polish law, except for blades hidden in umbrellas, canes, etc. It is legal to sell, buy, trade and possess a switchblade, and Polish law does not prohibit carrying a knife in a public place. However, certain prohibitions may apply during mass events.
Russia In Russia, switchblades (
rus. автоматический нож,
выкидной нож,
пружинный нож) are illegal only if their blade's length is more than – this is an
illegal weapon, and there is a
fine 500–2000 Russian
rubles (about $8–30) and
withdrawing of the knife only for carrying it (article 20.8 of
Offences Code of Russia), but not for illegal purchasing and possession (keeping at home or somewhere else). Only self-making and selling white arms (rus.
холодное оружие) is a
crime in Russia (these two crimes are punished by: part 4 article 222 and part 4 article 223 of
Russian Criminal Code). If the blade is shorter than 9 centimetres, anyone (even if people younger than 18 years old, having a
criminal history or
mental illness) can buy, own and
concealed carry (
open carry of any weapon or things that look like weapon at
human settlements is forbidden in Russia; with the exception for
policemen) such a switchblade without any
license. But even in this case, it is recommended that people carry on their person an official certificate (
type approval) (which is usually in a box with a purchased knife), which proves that it is not a melee weapon and not restricted to carry, in which case even knives longer than 9 cm are sometimes approved.
Singapore The importation and possession of switchblades are illegal in Singapore. It may not be also listed or sold in auctions in Singapore.
Slovenia Switchblades are specifically prohibited under Slovenian law.
South Africa In South Africa, little to no laws exist on the possession, sale, manufacture, and carrying of weapons, other than firearms. Switchblades are legal for possession, sale, manufacture, and carrying.
South Korea In South Korea, any knife that automatically opens wider than 45 degrees with the push of a button and has a blade that is longer than is subject to registration. In order to register the knife and legally possess it, one must be older than 20, have no previous criminal offences and be healthy both physically and psychologically. The registration process is carried out at nearby police stations. However, unless the owner of the knife has a hunting license, carrying the knife in public is generally prohibited.
Spain Manufacture, importation, trade, use and possession of switchblade knives are prohibited in Spain.
Sweden In Sweden, the possession of any knife in a public place, at school, or public roads is prohibited.
Switzerland Knives whose blade can be opened with an automatic mechanism that can be operated with one hand are illegal to acquire (except with a special permit) in Switzerland under the Federal Weapons Act.
Butterfly knives,
throwing knives and
daggers with a symmetrical blade are banned likewise. Violations are punishable with imprisonment of up to three years or a fiscal penalty, as provided for by article 33 of the same act.
Turkey Switchblades are illegal to buy, sell and carry in
Turkey per the corresponding law 6136 (4) which includes an incarceration sentence of up to 1 year. However, due to the widespread use of switchblades and
butterfly knives in the country, imprisoning is very rare and sentences are often converted to a fine when it is the only violation.
Ukraine Under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, switchblades are not specifically prohibited; however, any knife definable as a 'dagger' may not be manufactured, sold, repaired for sale, nor carried on one's person without a valid permit.
United Kingdom On 12 May 1958, Parliament passed the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959, which banned the manufacture, sale or offer to sell or hire any type of automatic-opening or switchblade knife. The law came in response to their perceived use by juvenile delinquents and gangs and associated media coverage, as well as by the 1958 passage of the Switchblade Knife Act in the United States. Indeed, much of the language in the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 appears to be taken directly from the American law. In 2019, parliamentary amendments to Section 43, 44, and 46 of The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 make it illegal to own, possess, sell or transfer a switchblade or flick knife within the United Kingdom, including possession at home.
United States Federal law The
Switchblade Knife Act (, , aka
SWA, enacted on August 12, 1958, and codified in ) prohibits the manufacture, importation, distribution, transportation, and sale of switchblade knives in commercial transactions
substantially affecting interstate commerce between any state, territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside that state, territory, U.S. possession, or the District of Columbia. The Act also prohibits possession of such knives on federal or Indian lands or on lands subject to federal jurisdiction. The federal SWA does
not prohibit the ownership or carrying of automatic knives or switchblades inside state lines while not on federal property, nor does it prohibit the acquisition or disposition of such knives in an intrastate (in-state) transaction. Finally, the law does not prohibit interstate knife sales or transactions that are either noncommercial in nature, or which do not substantially affect interstate commerce (as defined by recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court). U.S. Code Title 15, Sect. 1241 defines switchblade knives as any knives which open "1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or any knife having a blade which opens automatically; (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both". The Act also prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of switchblade knives on any Federal lands, Native American reservations, military bases, and Federal maritime or territorial jurisdictions including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other territories. The act was amended in 1986 to also prohibit the importation, sale, manufacture, or possession of
ballistic knives in interstate commerce. U.S.C. 1716 prohibits the mailing or transport of switchblades or automatic knives through the U.S. mails (
U.S. Postal Service), with a few designated exceptions. For example, switchblade knives with blade shapes originally designed for the purpose of stabbing or thrusting, such as the
dirk,
dagger,
poignard, or stiletto are automatically considered to be 'deadly weapons' (i.e. knives designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon to inflict death or serious bodily injury). Over the years, state judicial decisions have expanded the original reach of switchblade laws, either by reclassifying single-edged automatic pocket knives with short, general-purpose blades as illegal 'dirks or daggers', or by re-defining otherwise legal manually operated lock-blade pocket knives as a prohibited gravity knife, flick knife, or switchblade. Persons who used knives deemed prohibited as in their work or for self-defense, or who could not afford adequate legal representation, particularly racial minorities, have been disproportionately affected by the capricious enforcement of such laws. In response to complaints raised about the constitutionality and inconsistent application of existing statutes to modern knife designs, several states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have repealed older laws against possession or purchase of switchblade or automatic knives. Five states still prohibit anyone from selling, purchasing, owning or carrying a switchblade. In August 2024, the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court relied on the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen when it struck down a 1957 ban on switchblade knives in the state, on the grounds there were no similar bans at the time of the writing of the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. This may mean other switchblade laws at the federal and state level will be ruled unconstitutional.
City and county ordinances Unless preempted by state law, various county, city, or other local jurisdictions may also have their own codes or ordinances further restricting or prohibiting switchblade possession or use, for example Sioux Falls, South Dakota, or Oakland, California. == History ==