While letting people legally own and carry knives, North Carolina’s knife laws try to keep everyone safe. In North Carolina, the following are the rules that cover pocket knives:
Having and owning something
You can own and carry most types of knives in North Carolina, even pocket knives. It is not against the law to own or bring certain types of tools into the state.
Carry openly
You can usually carry knives, even pocket knives, freely in North Carolina. There are no rules about how people can carry most types of knives in public. When you bring knives into public places, be extra careful, especially if they are big or dangerous.
Keeping a gun hidden
North Carolina has tougher rules about carrying guns without being seen.
- Many times, it is against the law to hide a bowie knife, dirk, blade, or any other sharp tool that can be used as a weapon.
- One thing is different for normal pocket knives. A pocket knife is a small knife that is meant to be kept in a pocket or bag. The knife’s blade is hidden inside the handle, and it can’t be opened with a throw, an explosion, or a spring.
- In a case from 1989, a folded knife that was about four and a half inches long was thought to be a normal pocket knife.
Places that you can’t go or can only get to with difficulty.
In some places, you can’t carry knives, even small ones like pocket knives:
- Colleges and schools (from preschool to college)
- Courthouses and buildings for the government.
Some legal things to think about
You should know the difference between knives that are allowed and knives that aren’t. Most of the time, pocket knives and multi-tools are legal. However, military and ballistic knives are often not.
If someone under 18 gets a “bowie knife” or “dirk,” you can’t sell or give it to them.
You can carry a gun in public, but it’s illegal to do so with the intent to scare people.
Ticket fines or penalties.
In North Carolina, breaking knife rules can get you charged with anything from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the circumstances. You might get fined, go to jail, or both. The knife will also likely be taken away.
In North Carolina, you can usually own and carry a pocket knife. However, it’s important to know the rules about how to hide them and where you can’t carry them. When handling a knife, you should always be careful and pay attention to what’s going on around you.
