🦞 Maine Knife Laws
Overview
Maine does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Open carry is legal, but concealed carry of certain knives is restricted. There is no general blade length restriction. All common knife types are legal to own and carry.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Open carry of knives is legal in Maine. No statute prohibits open carry of any knife type. However, 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A(1)(A) prohibits displaying 'in a threatening manner' a bowie knife, dirk, stiletto, or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in attack on or defense of a person. No blade length restriction applies.
Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A.
Under 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A(1)(B), a person may not conceal a bowie knife, dirk, stiletto, or other dangerous or deadly weapon 'usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.' Penknives (any folding knife, per State v. Jones, 2012) are exempt. Maine's 2015 permitless carry law applies only to handguns, not knives. Exception for knives used to hunt, fish, or trap under § 2001-A(2)(C). Violation is a Class D crime.
Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A.
No statewide blade length restriction. Maine law does not impose any maximum blade length for knives carried openly or concealed. The now-repealed § 1055 had a 3-inch reference only as an exception for one-armed persons possessing automatic knives.
Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A.
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Legal | The former prohibition under 17-A M.R.S. § 1055 was repealed effective October 15, 2015 (PL 2015, c. 23, LD 264, 'An Act To Restore the Right To Possess Certain Knives That Are Used by Many Citizens as Tools'). Switchblades are legal to own, carry openly, and carry concealed. They are not classified as weapons 'usually employed' for anti-personnel purposes under § 2001-A. Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Legal | Formerly covered by 17-A M.R.S. § 1055 (gravity/centrifugal knife language). The repeal of § 1055 in 2015 legalized balisongs along with switchblades and gravity knives. Legal to own and carry. Not classified as weapons 'usually employed in attack or defense of a person' under § 2001-A. Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. |
| Disguised Knives | Unclear | No Maine statute specifically prohibits or addresses disguised knives. They are legal to own. However, a cane sword or similar disguised weapon could be considered a 'dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person' under § 2001-A(1)(B), and since disguised knives are inherently concealed by design, carrying them likely triggers the concealed weapon prohibition. The determination depends on the fact-specific 'intrinsic qualities' inquiry from State v. Jones (2012). Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. |
| Assisted-Opening | Legal | No Maine statute restricts assisted-opening knives. The repeal of § 1055 in 2015 eliminated any ambiguity about whether assisted-opening mechanisms could be classified as automatic. Assisted-opening knives are ordinary folding knives and not weapons 'usually employed in attack or defense of a person.' Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. |
| Ballistic Knives | Unclear | No Maine state statute specifically mentions or prohibits ballistic knives. They would very likely be classified as 'dangerous or deadly weapons usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person' under § 2001-A, prohibiting concealed carry and threatening display. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1245) restricts ballistic knives regardless of state law. Statute: 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. |
Relevant Statutes(1)
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional restrictions beyond state law. Always verify with official state sources before making decisions about knife carry or ownership. KnifeInformer is not a law firm — consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.
