Pocket knives are legal to own and generally legal to carry—both openly and concealed—for most adults in Alabama, but certain restrictions, especially regarding local laws, intent, and location, must be understood and observed.
Under Alabama state law, nearly all types of knives, including folding knives (pocket knives), butterfly knives (balisongs), switchblades, gravity knives, and even out-the-front (OTF) knives, are legal to possess and carry. There is no statewide restriction on blade length, and no specific state prohibition on either open or concealed carry of pocket knives for ordinary use by adults, as long as the knife is not being carried with intent to commit a crime or in a restricted location such as a school.
However, significant local variation exists: several municipalities impose stricter rules, including blade length limits—Montgomery, for example, limits knives to blades of three inches or less, and Birmingham sets the limit at four inches for public carry. It is the responsibility of the carrier to check local city or county ordinances before carrying a knife, as police can enforce these local restrictions even though state law is permissive.
Alabama law explicitly prohibits carrying knives, even pocket knives, on school grounds or on school buses. Violations can result in criminal charges and are treated seriously. Carrying a knife with the intent to harm or to use it unlawfully is also a criminal offense regardless of the knife’s size or type. While there is no set minimum age for possession, it is illegal to sell or give certain types of knives, such as Bowie knives, to anyone under 18.
Switchblades, gravity knives, and other automatic-opening knives are not forbidden by state law, including in commercial sales, though local ordinances might differ in regulation of carry or display. Knives used for hunting, fishing, or camping fall under the general permissive approach, provided they are not transported to restricted places or used unlawfully.
For most adults, owning and carrying a common pocket knife in Alabama is legal and not subject to statewide concealment or blade length restrictions, but local ordinances, the presence of minors, restricted locations (most notably schools), and intent can all make otherwise legal possession a criminal act. Always consult the current laws and local regulations before carrying a pocket knife in Alabama.
Sources
[1] https://edc.ninja/alabama-knife-laws/
[2] https://www.smithlawal.com/what-knives-are-legal-in-alabama/
[3] https://knifeade.com/alabama-knife-law/
[4] https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/alabama-knife-laws/
[5] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/alabama/
