🦀 Maryland Knife Laws
Overview
Maryland 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. Switchblades and ballistic knives have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Under CR § 4-101(c)(2), a person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon openly with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner. Without unlawful intent, open carry is legal for all knife types. No blade length restriction for open carry. A sheathed knife carried openly is not considered concealed (Polk v. State, 2007).
CR § 4-101(c)(1) prohibits concealed carry of 'weapons' — defined as dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife, star knife, sandclub, metal knuckles, razor, and nunchaku. However, 'weapon' does NOT include a 'penknife without a switchblade' (§ 4-101(a)(5)(ii)). Under Bacon v. State (1991), 'penknife' means any folding knife regardless of blade length or locking mechanism. Result: folding knives (non-switchblade) may be carried concealed; fixed-blade dirks, bowies, switchblades, and star knives may not without a Wear and Carry permit.
No statewide blade length limit. The penknife exemption from the weapon definition applies regardless of blade size (Bacon v. State, 1991). No statewide preemption — local ordinances (Baltimore, Ocean City) may impose blade length restrictions.
Statute: 4-101.
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Restricted | Switchblades are explicitly listed as 'weapons' under CR § 4-101(a)(5)(i). Ownership is legal. Concealed carry is prohibited without a Wear and Carry permit (§ 4-101(c)(1)). Open carry is legal without unlawful intent (§ 4-101(c)(2)). Sale, barter, display, or offer to sell is prohibited under CR § 4-105(a)(1) — a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months and/or $50-$500 fine. |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Legal | Not listed as 'weapons' under CR § 4-101(a)(5). Balisongs qualify as 'penknives' under Bacon v. State (1991) because the blade folds into the handle. The switchblade definition in CR § 4-105 requires a blade that opens 'automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle' — balisongs do not operate via such a mechanism. Legal to own, carry openly, and carry concealed. |
| Disguised Knives | Unclear | Maryland does not specifically address or prohibit disguised knives by name. They are not listed in the CR § 4-101(a)(5) weapon definition. However, disguised knives are inherently not 'discernible by ordinary observation' even when the object is visible, meaning they could be treated as concealed weapons under § 4-101(c)(1). Whether a particular disguised knife constitutes a 'dirk knife' or other listed weapon would be a factual determination by the court. Statute: 4-101. |
| Assisted-Opening | Legal | Not switchblades under Maryland law. CR § 4-105(a)(1) defines switchblades as knives with blades that open 'automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle.' Assisted-opening knives require manual pressure on the blade itself before the spring engages. Classified as penknives — folding knives exempt from the weapon definition under § 4-101(a)(5)(ii). |
| Ballistic Knives | Restricted | Sale, barter, display, or offer to sell is prohibited under CR § 4-105(a)(2), which bans 'a device designed to propel a knife from a metal sheath by means of a high-compression ejector spring, commonly called a shooting knife.' Violation is a misdemeanor (up to 12 months and/or $50-$500 fine). Possession is legal under state law. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1245) additionally restricts ballistic knives. Statute: 4-105. |
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.
