Understanding Your Knife Rights in North Carolina: A Legal Guide

Posted by admin May 4, 2025
Understanding Your Knife Rights in North Carolina A Legal Guide

1. Knife Ownership in North Carolina

  • Legal to Own: Most knives-including bowie knives, dirks, daggers, switchblades, gravity knives, and disguised knives-are legal to own in North Carolina.
  • Illegal to Own: Ballistic knives are strictly prohibited for manufacture, sale, possession, or carry by anyone, including law enforcement (with rare exceptions).

2. Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry

Type of KnifeOpen CarryConcealed Carry
Ordinary pocket knifeLegalLegal
Bowie, dirk, dagger, switchblade, or similarLegalIllegal (with exceptions)
Ballistic knifeIllegalIllegal

Open Carry

  • You may openly carry almost any type of knife in public, except in restricted locations (see below).

Concealed Carry

  • General Rule: Concealed carry of knives such as bowie knives, dirks, daggers, razors, and other “deadly weapons of like kind” is illegal, unless you are on your own premises.
  • Ordinary Pocket Knife Exception: You may carry an “ordinary pocket knife” concealed. This is defined as a small folding knife with the cutting edge and point fully enclosed by the handle and not opened by throwing, explosive, or spring action.
  • New Legislation (Effective December 1, 2025): House Bill 439, if enacted, will allow adults (18+) to carry certain bladed weapons concealed if they:
    • Carry valid ID and display it upon law enforcement request.
    • Have not been convicted of a felony.
    • Do not carry concealed knives in places where concealed handguns are prohibited.
    • The definition of “ordinary pocket knife” will be clarified as a folding knife with a blade not more than 6 inches long.

3. Location-Based Restrictions

  • Schools: No knives-open or concealed-are allowed on school property, with no exceptions.
  • Government Buildings: Knives are generally prohibited in courthouses, federal buildings, and similar locations.
  • Other Restricted Areas: Carrying knives (open or concealed) may be forbidden in places where concealed handguns are also banned.

4. Age and Other Restrictions

  • Minors: It is illegal to sell or furnish bowie knives or dirks to minors.
  • Felons: Individuals convicted of a felony cannot lawfully carry concealed knives under the new law.

5. Penalties for Violations

  • Violating concealed carry laws or location-based restrictions can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of the weapon.

6. Key Takeaways

  • Open carry of most knives is legal in North Carolina, but always check for local or situational restrictions.
  • Concealed carry is generally limited to ordinary pocket knives, with expanded allowances potentially coming into effect December 1, 2025, if House Bill 439 becomes law.
  • Never carry knives (open or concealed) on school grounds, government buildings, or other restricted locations.
  • Ballistic knives are strictly illegal in all circumstances.

Stay Informed

Knife laws can change. Always check the latest state and local regulations before carrying a knife in North Carolina.

Sources

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[1] https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H439v1.pdf
[2] https://www.tektoknives.com/blogs/news/north-carolina-state-knife-laws
[3] https://tkellknives.com/knife-laws-in-north-carolina-your-guide-to-legal-carry/
[4] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/north-carolina/
[5] https://lrs.sog.unc.edu/billsum/h-439-2025-2026