Legal knife size & type limits - PA

**D*Compound** · January 19th, 2009, 08:46 AM

Was not sure where to post this.......so here goes.....

What are the legal limts for knife size - carry in PA?

Is there a lenght limit?
Is there a law against an assisted open knife - like a Smith & Wesson S.W.A.T. knife?

Thanks

**Statkowski** · January 19th, 2009, 09:25 AM

Pennsylvania's laws on knives are simple: No switchblades.

Title 18, Section 908 (Prohibited Offensive Weapons) is the only law covering such (see http://www.thehighroad.org/library/b...knifelaws.html).

Open carry? Okay. Concealed carry? Okay. Blade length? Unlimited. Assisted open (not spring-actuated open)? Okay.

So-called "butterfly" knives? Okay. Japanese katana? Okay. Pirate cutlass? Okay.

No switchblades ("one click, that quick").

**D*Compound** · January 19th, 2009, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the reply
The knife I am really questioning is the Spring actuated type open by Smith & Wesson. (It is a 1 click that quick type of knife.) The blade is less than 4 inches.

**Statkowski** · January 19th, 2009, 11:07 AM

Does it open with the push of a button? If not, you're okay.

Pennsylvania law mentions absolutely nothing regarding blade length.

Municipalities, however, might have something to say on the subject - there is no preemption law concerning such.

**D*Compound** · January 19th, 2009, 11:54 AM

YES...It open w/ the push of a button......

**Statkowski** · January 19th, 2009, 12:04 PM

Open with a button click? Not legal for non-emergency service personnel. Read Section 908. Interpret it as you will. I can't interpret if for you 'cause I'm not a lawyer (they've got a monopoly on that business).