Ohio’s knife laws, updated through 2026, permit broad ownership and carry of pocket knives with few restrictions. Senate Bill 140 (effective 2021) legalized concealed carry of ordinary knives not used as weapons, including automatics.
Carry Regulations
Adults can openly carry pocket knives statewide without limits on blade length. Concealed carry is legal for folding knives, pocket knives, and switchblades if not intended as weapons under R.C. § 2923.12(H).
State preemption (R.C. 9.68) blocks local bans, ensuring uniformity. Pocket clips may count as concealed if not visible to an ordinary observer, but everyday tools rarely trigger charges.
Allowed Types
No bans on switchblades, butterfly knives, automatics, or double-edged blades. Ballistic knives qualify as prohibited “dangerous ordnance” under R.C. § 2923.17.
Pocket knives fit “ordinary” categories, safe for pockets or belts. Manufacturing and sales of previously restricted autos resumed post-2021…