Are Automatic Knives Legal in Vermont?
The Short Answer
Yes — as of June 12, 2025. Vermont legalized automatic knives of all blade lengths when Governor Phil Scott signed Act 64 (2025) into law. Before that, Vermont had a restriction limiting automatic knives to blades of 3 inches or less. That restriction is now gone.
Today, automatic knives — including OTF knives, switchblades, and side-opening autos — are legal to own, buy, sell, carry openly, and carry concealed in Vermont with no blade length limit. Vermont also has constitutional preemption, meaning no city or town can add its own knife restrictions.
Important note for anyone reading older guides: Many sources — including our own earlier drafts — listed Vermont as either fully banned or fully legal for switchblades. The truth was more nuanced: Vermont had a partial restriction (blade length limit for automatics) that was fully repealed in 2025. If you're reading anything that says switchblades are banned in Vermont, that information is outdated.
What Vermont Law Actually Says
The Key Statute: 13 V.S.A. § 4013
This is the statute that changed. Here's what it says now (as amended by Act 64, § 8, effective June 12, 2025):
"§ 4013. Zip guns
A person who possesses, sells, or offers for sale a weapon commonly known as a 'zip' gun shall be imprisoned not more than 90 days or fined not more than $100.00, or both."
That's it. The entire switchblade provision was removed. The old version of this statute was titled "Zip guns; switchblade knives" and included a separate subsection prohibiting switchblades with blades over 3 inches. Act 64 deleted that subsection, renamed the statute to just "Zip guns," and left only the zip gun prohibition in place.
What the Old Law Said (Pre-June 2025)
For historical context, the previous version of § 4013 included language like:
"A person who carries on his or her person or in a container or package a switchblade knife having a blade three or more inches in length shall be imprisoned..."
This was the source of the confusion. Vermont didn't ban all switchblades — just those with blades of 3 inches or longer. Automatic knives with blades under 3 inches were legal. That partial restriction made Vermont one of the most confusing states for automatic knife owners.
That restriction no longer exists. As of June 12, 2025, there is no blade length limit, no type restriction, and no prohibition on automatic knives of any kind in Vermont.
Other Relevant Statutes
13 V.S.A. § 4003 — Carrying dangerous weapons:
"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent to injure another shall be imprisoned for not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. It shall be a felony punishable by not more than 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $25,000.00, or both, if the person intends to injure multiple persons."
The key phrase: "with the intent to injure another." Simply carrying a knife — any knife — is not a crime. You need criminal intent for this statute to apply.
13 V.S.A. § 1021 — Definition of "deadly weapon":
"'Deadly weapon' means any firearm, or other weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate that in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury."
As the Vermont Supreme Court clarified in State v. Kuzawski, 118 A.3d 62 (2017), whether something is a "deadly weapon" depends on how it's used in a specific incident — not its inherent nature. A box cutter held against a child's torso with a death threat is a deadly weapon. A box cutter in your pocket on the way to work is a tool.
OTF Knives in Vermont
OTF knives are fully legal in Vermont as of June 2025. Before Act 64, an OTF with a blade of 3 inches or more would have fallen under the old § 4013 prohibition. That restriction is gone. Carry an OTF of any blade length.
Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Vermont Considers Them
Vermont no longer makes a legal distinction. The old § 4013 defined and restricted "switchblade knives." The current version of the statute doesn't mention switchblades at all. Whether you call it a switchblade, an automatic, an OTF, or a push-button knife — they're all treated the same under Vermont law: legal.
Carrying an Automatic Knife in Vermont
Open Carry
Legal. No restrictions on open carry of any knife in Vermont.
Concealed Carry
Legal. Vermont is a "constitutional carry" state with a long tradition of unrestricted carry. There are no concealed carry restrictions for knives. No permit required. AKTI confirms concealed carry is "not an issue" in Vermont.
Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)
Schools: 13 V.S.A. § 4004 prohibits possession of dangerous or deadly weapons in school buildings, on school property, and on school buses.
This applies to public and private schools. School boards have independent authority under 16 V.S.A. § 563 to regulate or prohibit weapons on school premises, so specific policies may vary by district.
Penalties: Simple possession of a dangerous or deadly weapon on school grounds is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Courthouses: 13 V.S.A. § 4016 prohibits weapons in court facilities. Penalties: up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500.
Law enforcement exceptions: Officers certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council are exempt from both the school and courthouse restrictions.
Blade Length Restrictions
None. As of June 2025, Vermont has no blade length restrictions for any type of knife, including automatic knives.
Statewide Preemption
Vermont has strong constitutional preemption for weapons law. The Vermont Constitution, Chapter 1, Article 16, recognizes:
"That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the State."
The legislature has not delegated weapons-regulation authority to municipalities. In the landmark case State v. Rosenthal, 55 A. 610 (1903), the Vermont Supreme Court struck down a City of Rutland ordinance prohibiting concealed carry of knives and other weapons, finding it both unconstitutional and beyond the powers granted to municipalities.
Under 24 V.S.A. § 2291 (Enumeration of powers), the legislature grants certain regulatory powers to municipalities — but regulating the possession of weapons is not among them. No Vermont city or town can create knife restrictions beyond what state law provides.
What About Assisted Openers?
Legal in Vermont. Assisted-opening knives have always been legal — even under the old law, they weren't considered "switchblade knives." Now that automatic knives are also fully legal, the distinction is academic.
Age Restrictions
13 V.S.A. § 4007 — Furnishing firearms to children: This statute makes it unlawful for anyone other than a parent or guardian to sell or furnish a "dangerous weapon" to a minor under 16 years of age. While this primarily targets firearms, the "dangerous weapon" language could encompass knives depending on context.
For persons 16 and older, there are no age-based restrictions on knife possession or purchase under Vermont law.
Buying Automatic Knives in Vermont
No state restrictions on purchasing automatic knives. No age limit for buyers 16 and older. No permit or registration required.
Recent Law Changes
- June 12, 2025: Act 64 takes effect. Removes the switchblade/automatic knife blade length restriction from 13 V.S.A. § 4013. All automatic knives — regardless of blade length — become fully legal in Vermont. AKTI updated their Vermont page on July 22, 2025 to reflect this change.
This was a significant shift. For decades, Vermont was an outlier — a state with otherwise permissive knife and gun laws that still maintained a partial automatic knife ban. Act 64 brought Vermont in line with the majority of states that have repealed their switchblade restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry an OTF knife in Vermont?
Yes. As of June 2025, OTF knives of any blade length are legal to own and carry in Vermont — openly or concealed.
Are switchblades illegal in Vermont?
No — not anymore. Vermont repealed its switchblade blade-length restriction effective June 12, 2025, via Act 64. All automatic knives are now legal regardless of blade length.
Is there a blade length limit for automatic knives in Vermont?
No. The old 3-inch limit for automatic knives was eliminated by Act 64 in 2025. There are no blade length restrictions for any type of knife in Vermont.
What about the old law that banned switchblades?
The old 13 V.S.A. § 4013 prohibited switchblades with blades of 3 inches or more. That provision was repealed by Act 64, effective June 12, 2025. The statute now only addresses zip guns.
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.