The Federal Switchblade Act is Public Law 85-623 of 1958, codified at 15 U.S.C. §§1241 to 1245. It makes it a federal crime to knowingly introduce into interstate commerce, manufacture for introduction into interstate commerce, transport, or distribute an automatic-opening knife, with penalties of a fine up to $2,000 and up to five years imprisonment.
The Act defines the restricted category by mechanism: a knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle, or by operation of inertia, gravity, or both. That mechanical definition, not a blade length or an appearance, is what brings a knife inside the statute.
The prohibited conduct is commercial and interstate: introducing such a knife into interstate commerce, manufacturing it for that purpose, transporting it, or distributing it. The Act is a commerce statute.
The Federal Switchblade Act does not create a nationwide ban on possessing or carrying such a knife. Possession and carry are governed by state and local law, which varies enormously and has changed in many states in recent years.
It also does not set a minimum purchase age for ordinary knives, and it says nothing about manual folders, assisted-opening knives that you start with your own thumb, or fixed blades.
It is the reason we carry no automatic-opening knives at all. Every folder in our catalog is started by your hand, on the blade or on a tab, with no stored energy releasing it. That is a standing decision, not a stock situation, and it applies across all 1,424 products we list.
For the underlying text, read the statute itself at the link below rather than a summary. This page is a summary too.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws vary by state, county, and city, change frequently, and are subject to interpretation by courts and law enforcement. Knives Now is a retailer, not a law firm, and this summary should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction or reviewing the current text of the applicable statute. Before purchasing, carrying, or shipping any knife, confirm current local, state, and federal law for your specific situation, including any restrictions on carry location, blade length, or knife type. Knives Now makes no warranty as to the completeness, accuracy, or current applicability of the information on this page and disclaims all liability for actions taken in reliance on it.