Connecticut Knife Laws 101: A Comprehensive Guide
Knives are used everywhere for tons of things, but sometimes you need to use one outside and are required to carry the knife with you.
But since knives are dangerous, you’ll need to follow the laws of your state.
In places like Connecticut, you can get fined or arrested for not following the laws.
This is a big reason why many people ask about the Connecticut Knife Laws. In a nutshell, you can’t carry some specific knives, such as stilettos which are over 1.5 inches in length, and you can’t carry any other knife over 4 inches.
You can carry knives both concealed and out in the open.
There’s much more to it than that, though. So today, we’ll cover all about Connecticut’s knife laws, the banned knives, the penalties for disobeying the laws, and more.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
Quick Legal Facts
- Statewide Preemption: No
- Concealed Carry: Concealed carry doesn’t matter, but the blade length does.
- Restricted Knives: Automatic knives, switchblades, and stilettos over 1.5 inches in length and blades longer than 4 inches.
- Schools: Firearms and knives aren’t allowed in schools.
- Critical Dimensions: Above 1.5 inches for stilettos, switchblades, and automatic knives. Above 4 inches for most other knives.
List Of Relevant Laws
Here are some of the relevant laws we cover in this article —
53a-3: Definitions
53-206: Carrying prohibited dangerous weapons.
53a-217b: Possession of deadly weapons on school grounds.
29-38: Deadly weapons like knives in vehicles, penalties, exceptions.
List Of Illegal Knives
Here’s a list of all the illegal knives in Connecticut —
Balisongs / Butterfly Knives
Balisongs are more commonly known as butterfly knives. But since most of them are over 4 inches long in length, it’s banned in Connecticut.
Gravity Knives
Gravity knives are a type of knife that has a blade hidden in the handle, but through the help of gravity, they can extend and become a regular knife.
They’re big and can easily be concealed, making them incredibly dangerous. Because of this, they’re illegal in Connecticut.
Switchblades
Switchblades are knives with sliding points in the handle that can be automatically activated with a button or switch.
They’re incredibly dangerous, so a lot of countries, including Connecticut, have it banned.
Bowies
Bowies are a type of sharp fighting knife. They’re big in length and made for fighting, so it’s illegal in Connecticut.
Dirks, Stilettos, Push knives & Other Stabbing Knives
Dirks, stilettos, and push knives are all a type of stabbing daggers. They’re dangerous, and the blade is often big, so it’s not allowed in Connecticut.
Swords
All types of swords are illegal in Connecticut to carry in public.
You can carry them with a license, but you generally won’t be getting a license to carry swords in any job since firearms are usually better.
Large Knives
All sorts of knives over 4 inches aren’t allowed in Connecticut, as mentioned above. So carrying a small pocket knife is your best bet, and it’ll be legal in all places, even as a minor.
These are all the knives you can’t carry in any place in Connecticut, even as an adult. Carrying these will result in a fine, and you might even get arrested.
So, better not carry them with you.
Connecticut Knife Laws
Since you’re already familiar with illegal knives, you must also know the laws about illegality. Here are some rules that you shouldn’t break.
Illegality In Certain Areas
In Connecticut, it’s illegal to carry knives to public school grounds, and it’s a Class D felony.
Other dangerous weapons such as firearms aren’t allowed too, and you can’t carry pocket knives either.
Illegality Based On Concealed Or Open Knives
Connecticut has no laws on whether the knife is concealed or not.
It doesn’t matter if the knife is hidden, so you can carry any legal knife concealed, and rather prioritize the knife length.
We’ll be going over what size knife is legal to carry in Connecticut later in this article.
Illegality Of Carrying, Possession, Selling, Manufacturing, Importing, & Trading
There are no restrictions on carrying, possessing, selling, manufacturing, importing, or trading knives in Connecticut as long as the knife is legal and under 3 inches in length.
Illegality To The State Of Significance Such As Impact On Interstate Commerce
Knowingly transporting or distributing illegal knives in Connecticut in interstate commerce isn’t allowed, and you’ll be fined and arrested for it.
Illegality For Minors
Age isn’t a factor in Connecticut’s knife laws. Even minors can carry knives concealed under 3 inches in public.
This is because most knives under 3” aren’t that dangerous anyway, so both adults and minors can carry them.
Illegality Based On Knife Length
In Connecticut, the legal knife length is under 3 inches in some states and under 3.5 inches in others.
The length is by far the most important factor in Connecticut’s laws, and you’ll get fined heavily for carrying a knife over the legal length.
Illegality In Local Governments
Since there is no statewide preemption, local governments can change the knife laws slightly.
The most common illegality in local governments you will find is the knife length. In a lot of areas of Connecticut, the legal knife length is only 3 inches.
Penalties & Punishment For Carrying Knives Illegally
The punishment in Connecticut for carrying knives illegally is a Class D felony, meaning you can get a fine of up to $5,000.
Along with that, it’s also possible to get confined for 6-12 months in some circumstances.
If the knife is just barely above the legal length, then it’s not so serious and is a Class E felony, which is the least serious type of felony.
You can still get a fine for up to $500, though.
Along with that, you can’t carry a knife in car in Connecticut or in parking lots and parks, and you’ll be punished with a minimum fine of $500.
Exceptions In The Knife Laws Of Connecticut
The exceptions to knife laws in Connecticut are —
- Anyone charged with the duty of preserving the public peace, such as police officers, enforcement officers, etc.
- Any member of the armed forces inside the United States of America doesn’t need to follow the knife laws.
- Members of military organizations can carry any type of knife.
- People transporting knives as merchandise to be displayed in an authorized knife show can carry any type of knife.
- Anyone can carry any type of knife in their own residence or business property.
- People with valid fishing, hunting, or trapping licenses can carry knives exceeding the legal knife length.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you have a good idea of the Connecticut knife laws. The knife laws here are stricter than in some other countries, but you’re good to go as long as you consider the knife length.
Even as a minor, you can carry any knife under 3 inches, and not abiding by the knife laws can result in a Class D or Class E felony.
It’s rare to get arrested for class E felonies, but you will get a fine of up to $500. You’ll also get a fine of up to $5,000 for Class D felonies and possibly confinement.
Overall, carrying pocket knives or other knives under 3 inches is highly recommended.
With all that said, cheers!
