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New York Knife Laws
Last Updated on: 30th March 2025, 11:20 pm
NEW YORK KNIFE LAWS
Knives are common everyday tools, but in New York, how you carry a knife—or even what type of knife you carry—can lead to serious legal problems. If you’re reading this, you’re likely worried about whether your pocketknife or hunting blade is legal in NYC, or anywhere else in the state. We get it. We’re Spodek Law Group, a nationwide federal defense law firm created by Todd Spodek, and we help people facing criminal weapon charges. We’re going to break down what you need to know, especially about local quirks like New York City’s stricter rules, and how we’d defend you if you get charged.
IS YOUR KNIFE LEGAL TO OWN?
Under New York Penal Law §265.01, certain knives are outright illegal to possess. That includes switchblades, metal knuckle knives, ballistic knives, cane swords, and throwing stars. If you knowingly have one of these items, you risk a misdemeanor weapons charge, punishable by up to one year in jail. Don’t kid yourself: the fact that you can buy these knives online doesn’t make them legal to walk around with. If you’re caught, a conviction gives you a criminal record.
Meanwhile, “gravity knives” were illegal for decades in New York, and people got arrested for carrying basic folding knives. Then, in 2019, lawmakers changed the law and removed gravity knives from the banned list (NY Senate Bill S4863). That means if you own a folding utility knife that can be flicked open, it’s no longer a per se crime. Still, if the cops believe you’re carrying it as a weapon, or if it’s a blade over 4 inches in New York City, you could face charges anyway. We’re just being honest here: the legal shift doesn’t give you a free pass to do something stupid.
NYC’S 4-INCH BLADE LIMIT
New York City is a different beast. In Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, local law makes it illegal to carry a knife in public view if the blade is 4 inches or longer (NYC Admin Code §10-133). This rule hits everyone from tourists to construction workers. You might think, “But I use my 5-inch knife at work.” That might matter if you’re on the jobsite, but carrying it openly on the subway will get you in hot water. In fact, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority also bans knives on subways and buses, so being honest about your usage is critical.
If an NYPD officer sees a knife clip sticking out of your pocket—yes, that counts as open display—and you can be summoned or arrested. Typically, you get a violation under city code, which means a small fine, or up to 15 days in jail. Yet, if the knife is also a banned type (like a switchblade), or the officer believes you intend to use it as a weapon, you’ll face a misdemeanor (or worse, depending on your record). This is how a seemingly harmless pocketknife leads to criminal charges.
DO YOU CARRY A KNIFE FOR “SELF-DEFENSE?”
Here’s the brutal truth: if you say you carry a knife for self-defense, you could be handing the police exactly what they need to charge you with criminal possession. New York law sees that as intent to use the knife unlawfully. That can be a Class A misdemeanor—up to one year in jail. Courts have repeatedly ruled that simply declaring you have a knife to protect yourself can turn your possession into an illegal act. The better approach: if you have a legitimate work reason (like you’re an electrician with a tool knife), keep it short-bladed, keep it concealed in NYC, and don’t brag about “defending yourself.” If you act stupid, you risk a permanent record and possible jail time.
COMMON PENALTIES
| Knife Offense | Legal Penalty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Possession of a switchblade or metal knuckle knife | Class A misdemeanor Up to 1 year jail, fines, probation |
NY Penal Law §265.01 forbids these weapons |
| Visible knife over 4 inches (NYC) | Violation Up to 15 days jail, fine |
NYC Admin Code §10-133. This can lead to arrest in practice |
| Use of any knife to injure or threaten | Can be felony assault or menacing Years in prison if convicted |
Possession + intent often escalates to felonies |
In some cases, if you have a prior criminal record and you’re caught with an illegal knife again, the charge can jump to a felony (Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree). That might mean up to 7 years in prison. Think about how that one “toy” or “cool collectible” can ruin your life. If that’s not enough to scare you, consider the legal fees, lost job opportunities, and the shame of a felony conviction.
OUR DEFENSE STRATEGY
At Spodek Law Group, we’re not going to sugarcoat your situation. If you messed up by openly carrying a banned knife in Times Square, we’ll tell you bluntly that it was a terrible decision. But we’ll also do everything we can to get charges reduced or dismissed. When we handle knife cases, we look at every detail:
- Why did the police stop you?
- Was the search legal, or was it a random fishing expedition?
- Did the knife actually fit the legal definition of a prohibited weapon?
- Are you eligible for an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD) or other diversion program?
If we find evidence the cops had no probable cause to search you, we file a motion to suppress. Evidence will be thrown out, which forces the prosecutor to rethink their entire case. In some scenarios, we argue your knife had a legitimate work-related purpose. Suppose you’re a chef coming back from work with your utensils wrapped safely—that could be a valid defense if you followed the local rules (like not brandishing the knife in public). The bottom line: we leave no stone unturned. We understand local judges, local prosecutors, and the local law.
LOCAL INSIGHTS TO KEEP IN MIND
New York City is notorious for strict enforcement. That said, if you live upstate (like in Buffalo, Rochester, or rural counties), police are generally less aggressive about arresting you for a simple pocketknife. Still, it’s not a guarantee. If you wave a big hunting knife around in a bar, expect handcuffs. Another local twist is that many NYC arrests happen in the subways. The MTA rules forbid weapons, and officers regularly do spot checks. If you fail that test, your day takes a bad turn.
Strategy note: If you’re traveling with a knife for legitimate reasons—like you’re a hiker or fisherman going to Staten Island or the Adirondacks—pack it securely and out of sight. Don’t walk through midtown Manhattan with a blade clip showing. That’s a red flag, and the NYPD won’t cut you any slack.
WHY YOU NEED A TOUGH DEFENSE
Some people think a knife arrest is no big deal. They’re wrong. A conviction, even for a misdemeanor, puts you in the criminal justice system. That’s a permanent record. If you get arrested again, the penalties jump. If you have immigration concerns, a single weapons conviction can cause major problems. We’re not here to coddle you. If you’re not taking this seriously, that’s on you. Our job is to protect you from the worst outcomes, but you also have to be honest with us and follow our advice.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
New York’s knife laws are complicated. Certain knives remain banned, while others are legal unless you carry them for the wrong reason. New York City has extra restrictions, including the 4-inch rule and the ban on open display. If you break these rules, you risk arrest, jail time, or worse. Here at Spodek Law Group, we know exactly how to defend you, whether your case is in Staten Island Criminal Court, Manhattan Criminal Court, or anywhere else in the state. We don’t tolerate excuses, but we fight like hell to get your charges dropped or minimized.
Legal References:
- New York Penal Law §265.00-265.01 (Prohibited weapons)
- Senate Bill S4863 (2019 Repeal of Gravity Knife Ban)
- NYC Admin Code §10-133 (City blade and open-carry rules)
- MTA Rules on carrying items in subways/buses
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. New York laws may change, and your specific facts matter. For personal guidance, contact our attorneys at Spodek Law Group.