✈️ North Carolina Knife Laws
Overview
North Carolina 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. Ballistic knives are prohibited; switchblades and disguised knives have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Open carry of knives is legal in North Carolina. NCGS § 14-269 restricts only concealed carry; no statute prohibits open carry of knives in general. Location restrictions still apply: knives are prohibited on school property (§ 14-269.2), in courthouses and certain state buildings (§ 14-269.4), and at parades and demonstrations (§ 14-277.2).
Statute: 14-269
Concealed carry of a “bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shuriken, stun gun, or other deadly weapon of like kind” is prohibited under § 14-269(a), except on one’s own premises. An exception exists for an “ordinary pocket knife carried in a closed position” per § 14-269(d). An ordinary pocket knife is defined as a small knife designed for pocket or purse carry, with its cutting edge and point entirely enclosed by the handle, that may not be opened by a throwing, explosive, or spring action. No blade length limit is specified in the statute.
Statute: 14-269
No general blade length limit. The ordinary pocket knife exception in § 14-269(d) uses the word “small” but does not specify a maximum blade length. In Matter of Dale B., 96 N.C. App. 375 (1989), the court found a knife approximately 4.5 inches overall when folded qualified as an ordinary pocket knife, but no bright-line statutory limit exists.
Statute: 14-269
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Restricted | No general ban on possession or open carry. However, switchblades cannot be carried concealed because § 14-269(d) excludes knives that “may be opened by a throwing, explosive, or spring action” from the ordinary pocket knife exception. Also explicitly prohibited on school property under § 14-269.2, which names “switchblade knife” and defines it as “a knife containing a blade that opens automatically by the release of a spring or a similar contrivance.” |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Unclear | Not specifically mentioned in any North Carolina statute. Whether a balisong qualifies as an “ordinary pocket knife” under § 14-269(d) is uncertain. If a balisong can be “opened by a throwing” action (flipping the handles), it would fail the ordinary pocket knife exception and could not be carried concealed. Open carry is not prohibited by statute. Whether a balisong constitutes a “deadly weapon of like kind” under § 14-269(a) is a factual determination. Statute: 14-269 |
| Disguised Knives | Restricted | No specific statute prohibiting disguised knives by name. However, concealed carry of disguised knives would likely fall under the “other deadly weapon of like kind” prohibition in § 14-269(a). By nature, disguised knives are carried concealed. Open carry is not prohibited by statute, though the disguised nature makes open carry impractical. Ownership and possession on one’s own premises are not restricted. Statute: 14-269 |
| Assisted-Opening | Unclear | Not specifically addressed in any North Carolina statute. The ordinary pocket knife exception in § 14-269(d) excludes knives that “may be opened by...spring action.” Whether an assisted-opening mechanism (where the user initiates blade movement and a spring completes it) constitutes “spring action” is ambiguous. A strict reading could exclude assisted-opening knives from the ordinary pocket knife exception for concealed carry. Open carry is not prohibited. Statute: 14-269 |
| Ballistic Knives | Illegal | Explicitly prohibited under § 14-269.6. It is unlawful for any person, including law enforcement officers, to possess, offer for sale, sell, give, loan, deliver, transport, manufacture, or go armed with any spring-loaded projectile knife or ballistic knife. Law enforcement agencies may possess them solely for evidentiary, educational, or training purposes. Violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Statute: 14-269.6 |
Relevant Statutes(10)
- 14-269—Carrying Concealed Weapons
- 14-269.1—Confiscation and Disposition of Deadly Weapons
- 14-269.2—Weapons on Campus or Educational Property
- 14-269.3—Weapons at Assemblies and Establishments Selling Alcohol
- 14-269.4—Weapons on State Property and Courthouses
- 14-269.6—Possession and Sale of Spring-Loaded Projectile Knives
- 14-277.2—Weapons at Parades Prohibited
- 14-315—Sale of Weapons to Minors
- 14-415.12—Concealed Carry Permit Criteria
- 14-415.18—Revocation or Suspension of Permit
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.
