Are Automatic Knives Legal in Nevada?
The Short Answer
Yes — with some location-based restrictions. Nevada repealed its general ban on automatic knives (switchblades) in 2015. Adults can now own, buy, sell, and carry automatic knives — including OTF knives — openly or concealed throughout most of the state. The main restrictions that remain apply to schools and (for automatics with blades over 2 inches) educational properties. There's also a county-level concealed carry ordinance in Clark County worth knowing about.
What Nevada Law Actually Says
The Statute (NRS 202.350)
The key statute is NRS 202.350, which covers manufacture, importation, possession, and use of dangerous weapons, as well as concealed carry.
Before 2015, this statute prohibited the possession of any switchblade knife. In 2015, the Nevada Legislature repealed the general switchblade prohibition, removing automatic knives from the list of banned weapons for adults.
The only knife-type concealment restriction that remains in NRS 202.350 applies to machetes — which cannot be carried concealed on one's person. Automatic knives, OTF knives, and all other knife types can be carried concealed under state law.
The School Restriction (NRS 202.265)
NRS 202.265 prohibits possession of certain dangerous weapons on school property, including the property of the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as public and private schools and child-care facilities. This restriction extends to vehicles in access and parking areas.
The weapons prohibited on school property include:
Dirks, daggers, and switchblade knives with a blade longer than 2 inches.
The definition of "switchblade" in this context excludes assisted-opening knives. The 2-inch measurement does not include the unsharpened tang portion of the blade.
What That Means in Plain English
For most everyday situations in Nevada, automatic knives are legal to own, carry (openly or concealed), buy, and sell. The only state-level restrictions are:
1. No automatic knives with blades over 2 inches on school/university property (including parking lots). 2. No concealed machetes (which is an unusual restriction, but there it is).
OTF Knives in Nevada
OTF knives are legal in Nevada. You can own them, carry them openly, carry them concealed, buy them in-state, or have them shipped to you. The school/university restriction applies if the blade is over 2 inches, but for general carry, OTF knives are unrestricted.
Nevada is a popular destination for knife shows, trade events, and tourism. Visitors can carry OTF knives and other automatic knives under the same rules as residents.
Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Nevada Considers Them
Nevada law does use the term "switchblade" in the school-restriction statute (NRS 202.265). The definition from NRS 202.350 applies:
A switchblade is a knife with a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle.
Assisted-opening knives — which require manual pressure on the blade itself to initiate opening — are not switchblades under this definition. This is an important distinction for anyone carrying near schools or on university campuses.
For all other purposes, Nevada doesn't distinguish between side-opening automatics, OTFs, or any other auto mechanism. They're all legal.
Carrying an Automatic Knife in Nevada
Open Carry
Legal. No restrictions on open carry of any knife, including automatic knives, at the state level. No blade length limit for open carry.
Concealed Carry
Legal for all knives except machetes. The standard for concealment in Nevada is whether a weapon is "discernible by ordinary observation." Since the only concealed carry knife restriction applies to machetes, carrying a concealed automatic knife is lawful under state law.
Clark County exception: Unincorporated Clark County (note: Las Vegas itself is an incorporated city within Clark County and appears to have no separate knife ordinance) has a local ordinance requiring written permission from the sheriff to carry concealed any weapon, including a knife with a blade of 3 inches or more, capable of being concealed. This ordinance dates to 1965 (Ord. 242 § 18) and was updated in 2015 (Ord. No. 4332, § 7). If you're in unincorporated Clark County — outside the city limits of Las Vegas, Henderson, or other incorporated cities — this ordinance may apply.
Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)
- Schools, colleges, universities, and child-care facilities: Dirks, daggers, and switchblades with blades over 2 inches are prohibited under NRS 202.265. This includes vehicles in parking areas.
- Unincorporated Clark County: Local ordinance may restrict concealed carry of knives with blades 3 inches or longer without sheriff's permission.
A violation of the school-property statute (NRS 202.265) is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year of confinement and a fine of up to $2,000. A concealed machete violation under NRS 202.350 carries the same penalties.
Blade Length Restrictions
Nevada has no general blade length restriction for knife carry at the state level. The only blade length references are:
- 2 inches: Switchblades with blades over 2 inches are prohibited on school/university property.
- 3 inches: Clark County's local ordinance applies to concealed knives with blades of 3 inches or more (unincorporated areas only).
Statewide Preemption
No. Nevada does not have statewide knife preemption. Local jurisdictions can and do enact their own knife ordinances. Clark County's concealed carry ordinance is the most notable example.
Always check local ordinances when traveling through Nevada, particularly in unincorporated county areas.
What About Assisted Openers?
Assisted-opening knives are legal throughout Nevada and are specifically excluded from the switchblade definition. They can be carried openly or concealed without restriction under state law (subject to Clark County's general concealed-knife ordinance in unincorporated areas).
Brandishing Laws
Worth noting: NRS 202.320 makes it a misdemeanor to draw or exhibit any dirk, dirk knife, sword, sword cane, or other deadly weapon in a "rude, angry or threatening manner not necessary in self-defense" in the presence of two or more persons. Penalty: up to 6 months confinement and a fine of up to $1,000.
Don't flash your knife around. Standard advice, but in Nevada it's specifically codified.
Age Restrictions
Nevada law does not specify a minimum age for purchasing or possessing automatic knives. However, minors are subject to the school-property prohibition, and individual retailers may set their own age policies.
Recent Changes
- 2015: Nevada repealed the general ban on switchblade/automatic knife possession, removing them from the prohibited weapons list in NRS 202.350. The school-property restriction (NRS 202.265) was retained with the 2-inch blade limit for switchblades.
No significant changes to Nevada knife law have been enacted since 2015.
Buying Automatic Knives in Nevada
Legal. You can purchase automatic knives in-person at Nevada retailers or have them shipped to a Nevada address. There is no state licensing, registration, or waiting period for any knife purchase. The manufacture, transport, and sale restrictions in NRS 202.350 apply to the specific weapons still on the prohibited list — automatic knives are no longer among them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry an OTF knife in Nevada?
Yes. OTF knives can be carried openly or concealed throughout Nevada. The exception: switchblades (including OTFs) with blades over 2 inches cannot be brought onto school or university property. Also watch for Clark County's concealed carry ordinance in unincorporated areas.
Are switchblades illegal in Nevada?
No — not since 2015. The general ban was repealed. Switchblades are only restricted on school/university/child-care property (blades over 2 inches).
Is there a blade length limit for automatic knives in Nevada?
No general blade length limit. The 2-inch limit applies only to school/university property. Clark County's local ordinance addresses concealed knives with 3-inch blades in unincorporated areas.
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.