New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” motto is reflected in the state’s approach to knife carry laws. The state imposes fewer restrictions than most other states, but some regulations remain.
The state still holds a short list of weapons it restricts, still penalizes people with felony records who carry deadly weapons, and still bars blades from courtrooms. So, while the freedom is real, the lines are worth knowing.
New Hampshire knife laws are shaped by legislative history and current statutes. Lawful ownership and carry are broadly permitted, though some limitations still apply.
New Hampshire’s Broad Knife Carry Protections
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State law does not restrict the type, length, or number of edges on knives carried by law-abiding residents.
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Switchblades, automatic knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, bowie knives, throwing stars, and throwing knives may be legally owned and carried.
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No permit or license is required to carry a knife openly or concealed.
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Blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles are illegal to sell or carry under RSA 159:16.
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Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing knives classified as deadly weapons under RSA 159:3.
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Carrying a deadly weapon into a courtroom is a class B felony under RSA 159:19.
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State preemption under RSA 159:26 prevents cities, towns, and political subdivisions from passing their own knife restrictions.
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A 2022 law, HB 1178, prohibits New Hampshire from enforcing federal statutes or executive orders that restrict the right to keep and bear knives.
How New Hampshire Got Here
Before 2010, RSA 159:16 prohibited the carry and sale of switchblades, daggers, dirks, and stilettos. State Representative Jenn Coffey sponsored legislation to remove these restrictions and allow residents to carry a wider variety of knives.
On May 18, 2010, Governor John Lynch signed House Bill 1665 into law, amending the statute and removing the ban on law-abiding residents possessing or carrying dirks, daggers, stilettos, and switchblades. Knife Rights reports this was the first repeal of a switchblade ban and all knife restrictions in any state.
In 2011, the legislature passed HB 544, creating a statewide preemption law. Authority over knife regulation is held solely by the state under RSA 159:26, and local governments cannot enact separate restrictions.
In 2022, Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1178, prohibiting the state from enforcing federal statutes or executive orders that restrict the right to keep and bear arms, including knives. Knife Rights notes this was the first law in the United States to mention knives specifically.
What You Can Legally Own and Carry
New Hampshire does not restrict law-abiding residents from possessing knives. The table below breaks down the most common knife types and their legal status in the state.
|
Knife Type |
Legal to Own |
Legal to Carry (Open or Concealed) |
|
Switchblades and automatic knives |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Gravity knives |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dirks, daggers, stilettos |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bowie knives and large single-edged knives |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Throwing stars and throwing knives |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Martial arts weapons |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Folding knives of any length |
Yes |
Yes |
A few things to note here. There is no blade length limit. There is no restriction based on the number of edges a knife has. There is no restriction on how a knife is constructed. And no permit or license is required to carry any knife, openly or concealed.
Where the Law Still Draws Lines
The fact that New Hampshire is permissive does not mean everything goes. Several restrictions remain in place, and some of them carry heavy penalties.
Blackjacks, Slung Shots, and Metallic Knuckles
Under RSA 159:16, it is still a misdemeanor to sell, possess with intent to sell, or carry on your person a blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles. These items were not included in the 2010 repeal. A Class A misdemeanor in New Hampshire carries up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Felons and Deadly Weapons
RSA 159:3 makes it a class B felony for anyone convicted of certain felonies to own, possess, or control a deadly weapon. The statute specifically lists stilettos, switchblade knives, sword canes, daggers, and dirk-knives, among others.
The felony convictions that trigger this restriction include felonies against the person or property of another and felonies under RSA 318-B, which covers controlled drugs.
A Class B felony in New Hampshire is punishable by at least 1 year and up to 7 years in state prison, with a fine of up to $4,000.
This is an important distinction. The 2010 law removed restrictions on these knives for law-abiding citizens, but if you have a qualifying felony on your record, the old prohibitions still apply to you in full.
Courtrooms Are Off Limits
Under RSA 159:19, no person may carry any deadly weapon, loaded or unloaded, open or concealed, licensed or unlicensed, into a courtroom or any area used by a court. This applies to knives that fall within the definition of a deadly weapon under RSA 625:11. Violating this provision is a class B felony.
Using a Deadly Weapon During a Crime
RSA 159:15 makes it a class A misdemeanor to use or employ a slung shot, metallic knuckles, billy, or any other deadly weapon during the commission or attempted commission of a violent crime. So even if carrying a particular knife is perfectly legal, using it during a violent offense adds a separate criminal charge.
Prisons and Official Custody
Knives fall under the category of “implements for escape and other contraband” under RSA 642:7. Anyone in official custody who possesses a knife faces additional charges under this statute.
Statewide Preemption Explained
One of the more practical parts of New Hampshire knife law is the preemption provision. Under RSA 159:26, the state holds sole authority and jurisdiction over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, and taxation of knives. No municipality or political subdivision can override this.
What this means in practice is straightforward. If you are traveling from Manchester to Nashua to Concord, the same rules apply throughout. You do not need to worry about crossing into a town that has its own local blade restrictions. The law is uniform statewide, and it has been that way since 2011.
Federal Preemption and HB 1178
The 2022 signing of HB 1178 added another layer of protection for knife owners in New Hampshire. This law prevents the state from enforcing any federal statute, regulation, or presidential executive order that restricts the right to keep and bear arms. The bill specifically names knives alongside firearms.
In practical terms, if the federal government were to pass new restrictions on certain types of knives, New Hampshire would not be required to enforce them under state law. This does not mean that federal law ceases to exist within the state’s borders, because federal agencies can still enforce it directly. But New Hampshire’s own law enforcement agencies and courts would not participate in that enforcement.
Carrying Knives in Practice
For most residents and visitors, the day-to-day reality of New Hampshire knife law is simple. You can carry any type of knife, of any size, openly or concealed, without a permit. The exceptions that exist are narrow and targeted.
Here is a quick summary of what to keep in mind:
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No restricted knife types for law-abiding citizens. If you have no felony record, you can carry a switchblade, a fixed blade, a bowie knife, or anything else.
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No blade length caps. A 3-inch folding knife and a 12-inch fixed blade are treated the same under the law.
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No local restrictions. The state preemption law ensures one set of rules applies everywhere.
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Stay out of courtrooms with blades. This is a felony-level offense.
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Felons face serious restrictions. If you have a qualifying felony conviction, possessing a deadly weapon is a class B felony.
What This Means if You Are Visiting
If you are passing through New Hampshire or spending time in the state, you benefit from the same permissive carry laws as residents. There is no residency requirement to possess or carry a knife. The same restrictions apply to everyone equally, so the felony record prohibition and the courtroom ban remain in effect regardless of where you live.
That said, neighboring states do not all share the same approach. Massachusetts, for example, has stricter knife laws. If you are carrying a knife that is legal in New Hampshire and plan to cross into another state, check that state’s laws before you go. New Hampshire’s preemption protections stop at the state line.
The Bottom Line on New Hampshire Knife Law
New Hampshire’s approach to knife regulation is about as open as any state in the country. The legislative work done between 2010 and 2022 removed old restrictions, established statewide preemption, and added protections against federal overreach.
For a law-abiding person, the rules are minimal, and the freedom to carry is broad. The few restrictions that remain are targeted at people with felony records, at courtrooms, and at weapons like blackjacks and metallic knuckles that were carved out of the 2010 repeal. Know where the lines are, and you are unlikely to run into trouble.
