Are Automatic Knives Legal in Mississippi?
The Short Answer
Yes. Automatic knives are legal to own in Mississippi. You can buy, possess, and openly carry switchblades, OTF knives, and any other automatic knife without restriction — as long as you're 18 or older and haven't been convicted of a felony.
The one wrinkle: Mississippi restricts the concealed carry of switchblades (along with bowie knives, dirk knives, and butcher knives) on your person. But there are major exceptions — you can carry one concealed in your vehicle, at your home or business, or while engaged in a legitimate sporting activity. Open carry is unrestricted.
Mississippi is a good state for knife owners. The laws are straightforward, and the exceptions to the concealed carry rule are broad enough that most practical situations are covered.
What Mississippi Law Actually Says
The Statute (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-37-1)
The key language:
"(1) Any person who carries, concealed in whole or in part, any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, metallic knuckles, blackjack, slingshot, pistol, revolver, or any rifle with a barrel of less than sixteen (16) inches in length, or any shotgun with a barrel of less than eighteen (18) inches in length, machine gun or any fully automatic firearm or deadly weapon... shall upon conviction be punished..."
Penalties for concealed carry violations:
- First offense: Fine $100–$500, or up to 6 months in county jail, or both
- Second offense: Fine $100–$500 and 30 days to 6 months in jail
- Third or subsequent: 1–5 years in Department of Corrections custody
- Prior felony conviction: 1–10 years in custody
The Exceptions (§ 97-37-1(2) and (3))
"(2) It shall not be a violation of this section for any person over the age of eighteen (18) years to carry a firearm or deadly weapon concealed in whole or in part within the confines of his own home or his place of business, or any real property associated with his home or business or within any motor vehicle."
"(3) It shall not be a violation of this section for any person to carry a firearm or deadly weapon concealed in whole or in part if the possessor of the weapon is then engaged in a legitimate weapon-related sports activity or is going to or returning from such activity."
What That Means in Plain English
- Ownership: Completely legal for adults 18+. No restrictions on type, mechanism, or blade length.
- Open carry: Legal for all knife types, including switchblades, OTFs, and automatics.
- Concealed carry on your person: Prohibited for switchblades, bowie knives, dirk knives, and butcher knives — unless you're at home, at your place of business, or engaged in a legitimate sporting activity.
- Concealed carry in your vehicle: Legal for adults 18+. The vehicle exception covers you even for switchblades and other listed knives.
- Sporting activity: If you're hunting, fishing, target shooting, or doing any legal sport that involves weapons, you can carry concealed.
The Martin v. State (1908) decision established that even a partially concealed weapon is considered "concealed" under Mississippi law.
OTF Knives in Mississippi
OTF knives are legal to own and carry in Mississippi. Mississippi defines "switchblade knife" as any knife with a blade that opens automatically by releasing a spring or similar mechanism. OTF knives fit squarely within this definition.
For open carry: no restrictions. Carry your OTF openly anywhere that isn't a restricted location.
For concealed carry: the same rules apply as for all switchblades — not on your person in public, but fine in your vehicle, at home, at your business, or during sporting activities.
Single-edge or double-edge doesn't matter in Mississippi. The law doesn't distinguish between blade configurations for ownership or carry purposes.
Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Mississippi Considers Them
Mississippi uses the term "switchblade knife" in its statute. The state defines it as any knife with a blade that opens automatically, by releasing a spring or similar mechanism. This covers:
- Side-opening switchblades
- OTF (out-the-front) knives
- Any spring-released automatic knife
The term "automatic knife" doesn't appear in the statute, but "switchblade knife" as defined is broad enough to encompass all automatic knives.
Assisted openers — knives requiring manual force to initiate opening, with a spring that assists completion — are not switchblades under Mississippi law and are legal to carry concealed.
Carrying an Automatic Knife in Mississippi
Open Carry
Fully legal. You can open carry any knife — automatic, fixed blade, folding, bowie, whatever — anywhere that isn't a restricted location. Mississippi places no restrictions on open carry of knives for adults.
Concealed Carry
Switchblades, bowie knives, dirk knives, and butcher knives cannot be carried concealed on your person in public, with exceptions:
- ✅ In your vehicle (adults 18+)
- ✅ At your home or place of business
- ✅ On property you own
- ✅ During legitimate sporting activities (hunting, fishing, target shooting)
- ❌ On your person in public (e.g., in a pocket, under a jacket)
The vehicle exception is particularly broad. If your automatic knife is in your car, truck, or any motor vehicle, you're covered — even if it's on your belt in the driver's seat.
Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)
Mississippi restricts weapons, including knives, in certain locations:
- Educational property — It is a misdemeanor for any student to possess or carry a bowie knife, dirk knife, dagger, switchblade, or automatic knife on educational property, whether concealed or not. This includes public and private school buildings, buses, campuses, and recreational areas.
- Courtrooms — during judicial proceedings
- Police stations, detention facilities, jails, and prisons
- Polling places — during voting
Additionally, § 97-37-19 makes it illegal to exhibit a switchblade or other restricted knife "in a rude, angry, or threatening manner" except in self-defense.
Blade Length Restrictions
Mississippi has no blade length restrictions for any type of knife, including automatic knives and switchblades. The restrictions are based on carry method (concealed vs. open) and knife type, not blade length.
What About Assisted Openers?
Assisted-opening knives are legal to own and carry in Mississippi, including concealed carry. They are not classified as switchblades because they require manual initiation of the opening process.
Buying Automatic Knives in Mississippi
You can purchase automatic knives online and have them shipped to Mississippi. We ship to all Mississippi addresses. You are responsible for understanding and complying with state and local law.
Preemption
Mississippi has state preemption for firearms under Miss. Code Ann. § 45-9-51 and § 45-9-53 — no county or municipality may restrict the possession, transportation, sale, transfer, or ownership of firearms or ammunition. However, this preemption applies specifically to firearms and does not explicitly extend to knives.
Local ordinances on knives are uncommon in Mississippi, but they are theoretically possible. Check local regulations if you're in a larger city.
Age Restrictions
Under Miss. Code Ann. § 97-37-13, it is illegal to give a bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, or switchblade to a minor or an intoxicated person if you know the person is a minor or intoxicated.
Minors and felons are prohibited from owning bowie knives, dirk knives, butcher knives, and switchblades.
Adults 18 and older with no felony convictions face no ownership restrictions on any knife type.
Recent Changes
Mississippi's knife laws have been stable. The state legalized permitless carry of handguns in 2016 (effective April 15, 2016), reflecting a broadly pro-Second Amendment legislative posture. No significant knife-specific legislation has been enacted recently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry an OTF knife in Mississippi?
Yes — open carry is unrestricted. For concealed carry, you can carry an OTF in your vehicle or at home/business. You cannot carry one concealed on your person in public outside those exceptions.
Are switchblades illegal in Mississippi?
No. Switchblades are legal to own and carry openly. The only restriction is on concealed carry on your person in public, and even that has broad exceptions (vehicle, home, business, sporting activity).
Is there a blade length limit for automatic knives in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi has no blade length restrictions for any type of knife.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws change — sometimes faster than websites update. Federal, state, and local laws may all apply to your situation, and local ordinances can be more restrictive than state law.
Before purchasing, carrying, or traveling with any automatic knife, OTF knife, or switchblade, verify current laws with official state and local sources. We are not attorneys, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on this information.
When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.