United States · checked 2026-10-27 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in Washington, DC

DC bans possessing switchblades. It also bars carrying any 'deadly or dangerous weapon', open or concealed, with no blade-length safe harbour. Courts ask whether a knife is dangerous by design or by circumstances. A blade over 3 inches matters only when unlawful intent exists. Federal buildings and sensitive sites add stricter bans.

This summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.

How we apply the law

Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.

1ProhibitedAny knife or tool, automatic
Possessing a switchblade is prohibited by 22-4514(a). 'Switchblade' is undefined in the statute, but automatic and OTF knives are clearly covered.
Source
2ProhibitedAny knife or tool, gravity or flick opening
Butterfly knives were held a deadly or dangerous weapon in U.S. v. Vinton (per AKTI), so carrying one breaches 22-4504. Not named in 22-4514; treat as a high risk.
Source
3UnclearAny knife or tool, spring assisted
Switchblade is undefined, so assisted openers may or may not be covered. AKTI says assisted opening may suggest a weapon rather than a tool, making them 'dangerous weapons'; avoid them.
Source
4UnclearA fixed blade
Dangerous by design or circumstances is a fact question. Fixed blades, especially daggers and double-edged ones, are likelier to be treated as weapons than pocket tools. Blades over 3 in matter under 22-4514(b) only with unlawful intent.
Source
5UnclearA folding knife
22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Source
6No restriction foundA multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only
No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Source
7UnclearAnything else
Catch-all: DC uses a design-and-circumstances test rather than a list; outcome is fact-specific.
Source

34 popular knives and tools, checked here

Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.

Product	Specs	Result
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific restriction found for tools or scissors, but any item can count as a dangerous weapon by the circumstances of carrying. Federal sites ban more.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Dangerous by design or circumstances is a fact question. Fixed blades, especially daggers and double-edged ones, are likelier to be treated as weapons than pocket tools. Blades over 3 in matter under 22-4514(b) only with unlawful intent.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Dangerous by design or circumstances is a fact question. Fixed blades, especially daggers and double-edged ones, are likelier to be treated as weapons than pocket tools. Blades over 3 in matter under 22-4514(b) only with unlawful intent.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Switchblade is undefined, so assisted openers may or may not be covered. AKTI says assisted opening may suggest a weapon rather than a tool, making them 'dangerous weapons'; avoid them.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Switchblade is undefined, so assisted openers may or may not be covered. AKTI says assisted opening may suggest a weapon rather than a tool, making them 'dangerous weapons'; avoid them.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	Unclear Why 22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: Metro and museum rules not checked. Capitol: knives barred except blades 3 in or less in some buildings (AKTI; check USCP). Federal facilities: 18 U.S.C. 930 excludes only pocket knives under 2.5 in. Supreme Court bans all knives.
Schools, workplaces and events: Not verified for DC schools. Federal buildings follow 18 U.S.C. 930; many DC sites run screening.
In a vehicle: No DC knife vehicle rule found. In Vinton a butterfly knife under a car floor mat was held dangerous (per AKTI).
Age limits: AKTI notes no restriction on sale or transfer.
Buying and importing: Switchblade possession is an offence, so orders of automatics to DC addresses are unsafe. Other knives not restricted for purchase per AKTI.
Penalties: Read directly on code.dccouncil.gov on 2026-10-27: carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon away from home or business (22-4504(a)(1)) is up to 5 years and the fine in 22-3571.01 (10 years after a prior conviction). Switchblade possession (22-4514(a)) falls under 22-4515: up to 1 year and the 22-3571.01 fine. Possessing a knife with a blade over 3 inches with intent to use it unlawfully is 22-4514(b).
Recent changes: 22-4514 amended by D.C. Law 25-175 (8 Jun 2024, Secure DC); knife wording unchanged in current text.
Pending changes: None found.

Sources

D.C. Code 22-4514 Possession of certain dangerous weapons
“No person shall ... possess any item that is, in fact, a ... switchblade knife”
D.C. Code 22-4504 Carrying weapons (search excerpt)
“No person shall carry ... either openly or concealed on or about their person ... any deadly or dangerous weapon.”
AKTI District of Columbia summary (secondary)
“Current D.C. law does not recognize a self-defense or Constitutional right to carry a knife in the event of a confrontation.”
D.C. Code 10-503.26 definitions

What we could not confirm

Whether assisted-openers are 'switchblades' (undefined, no case found).
DC knife age rules, Metro rules.
22-4514, 22-4504 and 22-4515 read in full on 2026-10-27; the rule rows still cite AKTI (secondary) for the butterfly knife and assisted-opener readings, because no primary case text was opened.

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.