Knife laws in Massachusetts can be rather confusing, mainly because most of what the law has to say about owning, carrying, manufacturing, and selling knives is crammed up into one paragraph-long sentence. As such, it can be difficult to follow.
Today’s article is a simple guide to understanding Massachusetts knife laws. We’ll start by looking at the official legal text, then break it down to provide clear explanations.
The Official Legal Text
Chapter 269, section 10. (a) states the following:
“Whoever, except as provided by law, carries on his person, or carries on his person or under his control in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade, or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches, or a slung shot, blowgun, blackjack, metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person when thrown, or any armband, made with leather which has metallic spikes, points or studs or any similar device made from any other substance or a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends; or whoever, when arrested upon a warrant for an alleged crime, or when arrested while committing a breach or disturbance of the public peace, is armed with or has on his person, or has on his person or under his control in a vehicle, a billy or other dangerous weapon other than those herein mentioned and those mentioned in paragraph (a), shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two and one-half years nor more than five years in the state prison, or for not less than six months nor more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction, except that, if the court finds that the defendant has not been previously convicted of a felony, he may be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction.”
What the Law Means
Let’s translate that ridiculously long sentence into everyday English.
What you can legally own
Knives aren’t banned in this state and you can legally own any type of blade or knife including:
- Automatic knives
- Balisong (butterfly) knives
- Ballistic knives
- Bowie knives
- Brass-knuckle knives
- Daggers
- Dirks
- Disguised knives, for example, lipstick knives and cane knives
- Push knives
- Stilettos
- Switchblades
- Throwing knives
- Throwing stars
What’s legal to carry
You’re free to carry pocket knives, Swiss army knives, and kitchen knives in Massachusetts. That being said, if these knives are misused they could be considered illegal.
What’s illegal to carry, manufacture, and sell
Below is what’s illegal for you to carry, whether openly or concealed, on your person or while in a car or vehicle.
Stated as is
- Any knife with an open and locked position
- Ballistic knives
- Dagger
- Daggers
- Dirks
- Double-edged blade
- Knives with a blade longer than 1.5 inches
- Stiletto
- Stilettos,
- Switchblade
The meaning of double-edged blade
The law forbids people in Massachusetts from carrying any knife with a double-edged blade, regardless of its size or length, including knives with second blades that don’t extend fully as well as survival knives with a straight edge on one end and a serrated edge on the other end.
The reason for this is that double-edged knives serve more towards attack than utility due to the presence of a second edge. Not only does that interfere with its utility application, but it also allows stabbing and slashing in any direction.
Automatic knives limitation
It’s forbidden to carry any knife equipped with an automatic spring mechanism that serves to release the blade from the handle. Additionally, the length of the blade should never exceed 1,5 inches.
Note that the keyword here is “automatic”, which indicates that no manual effort at all is involved. Consequently, if we’re talking about a pocket knife featuring a spring that you have to push a little to get it to open, then this knife won’t be regarded as automatic.
Similarly, Balisong knives are also not considered automatic because you’re required to flip the knife manually after releasing the hatch. Otherwise, nothing will happen.
Knuckle knives are illegal
Massachusetts law forbids the carrying of metallic knuckles or those made of any material that can be used for the same purpose, producing the same or similar results.
As such, WWI trench knives and push knives can be deemed illegal if their handle includes metal knuckles as part of the structure.
Dangerous weapon perception
If you’re carrying a legal knife such as kitchen knives and Swiss army knives, it can be considered illegal if regarded as dangerous upon getting arrested or disturbing the peace while carrying the knife.
Wrap Up
To sum up Massachusetts knife laws, you can own any sort of knife or blade, but you’re not allowed to carry it whether openly or hidden. These include ballistic knives, daggers, dirks, double-edged knives, knuckle knives, stilettos, switchblades, and stilettos.
It’s also illegal to carry any knife that could be perceived as a dangerous weapon while getting arrested or disturbing the peace including legal kitchen knives, folding knives, and Swiss army knives.
Finally, it goes without saying that bringing a knife to school or any school-sponsored or related event is illegal.