Are Butterfly Knives Illegal in NY? Switchblade, OTF and Karambit Laws (2026)
Short answerPartly. Butterfly knives (balisongs) are not banned by name in New York, but switchblades and other automatic knives are illegal to possess under Penal Law § 265.01(1). Daggers and similar knives become a crime when carried with intent to use them unlawfully against another person.
Last verified: November 5, 2026 against Penal Law §§ 265.00, 265.01, 265.15 and 265.20, Chapter 34 of the Laws of 2019 and NYC Administrative Code § 10-133
Are butterfly knives illegal in NY? Not on their own. The harder question is which other fancy knives cross the line, because the state law turns on how a blade opens and what you plan to do with it, not on the knife’s nickname. This page covers switchblades, OTF knives, spring assisted knives, karambits, push daggers and stilettos. It is general information, not legal advice.
Key facts
- Switchblades: any knife whose blade opens automatically by hand pressure on a button, spring or other device in the handle. Possession is a class A misdemeanor.
- Butterfly (balisong) knives: not listed in the Penal Law. Gravity knives were removed from the ban effective May 30, 2019.
- Spring assisted knives: risky. In 2018 the Court of Appeals upheld a conviction involving one.
- Karambits, push daggers, stilettos: crimes only with intent to use them unlawfully, unless the push dagger doubles as a set of knuckles.
- Penalty: up to 364 days in jail for a class A misdemeanor.
- New York City: a blade of four inches or more is barred in public places.
Are butterfly knives illegal in New York State?
No, a butterfly knife is not illegal just because of its design. Penal Law § 265.01(1) lists the banned weapons by name, and balisongs are not on it. Before 2019, police in New York City often charged balisong owners under the gravity knife ban. Chapter 34 of the Laws of 2019, signed May 30, 2019, removed gravity knives from the weapons list and took effect immediately.
A butterfly knife can still lead to a charge if you carry it with intent to use it unlawfully against another person. That falls under § 265.01(2), which covers daggers and dangerous knives. A trainer blade or a folded balisong in a bag is a very different case from one pulled during an argument.
Are switchblades legal in NY?
No. The Penal Law defines a switchblade knife as any knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle (§ 265.00(4)). Possessing one is criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor.
The same section bars pilum ballistic knives, metal knuckle knives and cane swords. Manufacturing a switchblade, or transporting or shipping one as merchandise, is also a class A misdemeanor under § 265.10. A narrow exception in § 265.20 lets a person with a valid hunting, trapping or fishing license possess a switchblade while hunting, trapping or fishing.
Are OTF knives legal in NY?
Automatic OTF (out the front) knives are not legal to own. When a button or lever fires the blade out of the handle by spring, the knife fits the switchblade definition in § 265.00(4). A manual OTF that you slide open by hand with no spring action is not the same mechanism, but you take on risk if an officer or prosecutor reads it differently. When the mechanism is unclear, treat it as a switchblade.
Are spring assisted knives legal in NY?
This is the gray area. A spring assisted knife has you start the opening by hand, then a spring finishes the job. In People v. Berrezueta (2018), the New York Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree involving a spring loaded knife with a button on the blade. In a short memorandum, it held the evidence was enough to show the knife was a switchblade. One judge dissented, arguing the statute covers only devices in the handle. Because of that ruling, carrying an assisted opener in New York can lead to a misdemeanor charge.
Are karambits, push daggers and stilettos legal in NY?
| Knife | How the Penal Law treats it |
|---|---|
| Karambit | Not named in the Penal Law. A crime only if carried with intent to use it unlawfully against another under § 265.01(2) |
| Push dagger | Falls under the dagger clause of § 265.01(2) (intent required). If it works as both a knife and a set of knuckles when open, it is a banned metal knuckle knife under § 265.00(5-b) |
| Stiletto | Listed in § 265.01(2), so intent to use it unlawfully is required. The law also counts a stiletto as an automatic knife in § 265.00(5-c) |
| Butterfly knife | Not listed. Same intent rule applies when it is treated as a dangerous knife |
Under Penal Law § 265.15(4), possessing a dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or other weapon designed or adapted primarily as a weapon is presumptive evidence of unlawful intent. That presumption is why a combat style karambit or push dagger worn on a belt draws more attention than a work knife.
Penalties for illegal knives in New York
| Offense | Statute | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Possessing a switchblade, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife or cane sword | § 265.01(1) | Class A misdemeanor |
| Possessing a dagger or dangerous knife with intent to use it unlawfully | § 265.01(2) | Class A misdemeanor |
| Manufacturing a switchblade or metal knuckle knife | § 265.10 | Class A misdemeanor |
A class A misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail under Penal Law § 70.15. A conviction can also leave a criminal record that shows up in background checks.
New York City knife rules
New York City follows the state ban and adds its own limit. Under Administrative Code § 10-133, it is unlawful to carry a knife with a blade of four inches or more in a public place, street or park, and to wear a knife outside your clothing or carry it in open view. Exceptions cover lawful uses such as work, hunting, fishing and camping. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $300, up to 15 days in jail, or both.
Rest of the state: outside New York City, we found no county rule that adds a blade length limit. The state list in Penal Law Article 265 applies in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and on Long Island alike.
Myths versus facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Every butterfly knife is illegal in New York. | Balisongs are not listed in the Penal Law, and gravity knives were removed from the ban in 2019. |
| Spring assisted knives are fine because you open them yourself. | In 2018 the Court of Appeals upheld a conviction involving a spring loaded knife, finding the evidence showed a switchblade. |
| A knife is legal if it has a short blade. | Switchblades are banned at any length. The New York City rule applies only to blades of four inches or more. |
What to do if you are stopped or charged
Stay calm, do not argue about how the knife opens, and do not consent to a search beyond what the officer can lawfully do. A New York criminal defense attorney can challenge whether the knife meets the legal definition and whether intent can be proved.
Frequently asked questions
Are butterfly knives illegal in NY?
No, not by themselves. Balisongs are not listed in Penal Law § 265.01(1), and gravity knives were removed from the ban effective May 30, 2019. Carrying one with intent to use it unlawfully against another person can still be charged.
Are switchblades legal in NY?
No. A knife whose blade opens automatically by a button, spring or other device in the handle is a switchblade under Penal Law § 265.00(4). Possession is a class A misdemeanor, with a narrow exception for licensed hunters, trappers and anglers.
Are OTF knives legal in NY?
Automatic OTF knives are not legal because the spring-fired blade fits the switchblade definition. A manual OTF with no spring action is less clear, so treat any OTF knife with caution in New York.
Are spring assisted knives legal in NY?
They carry real risk. In People v. Berrezueta (2018), the Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction for attempted possession of a weapon involving a spring loaded knife with a button on the blade, finding the evidence showed a switchblade.
Are karambits and push daggers legal in NY?
Neither is named in the Penal Law. Both can be charged under the dagger and dangerous knife clause of § 265.01(2) if you carry them with intent to use them unlawfully, and a push dagger that also works as knuckles is a banned metal knuckle knife.
What changed on this page
- November 5, 2026: first publication, checked against the Penal Law sections above, Chapter 34 of the Laws of 2019 and NYC Administrative Code § 10-133. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections page and editorial policy.
If this affects you
If you were stopped or charged, talk to a New York-licensed criminal defense attorney. The New York State Bar Association lawyer referral service can help you find one. For the wider rules, read our New York knife laws and Penal Law pages, or browse guns, knives and self-defense laws.
