Tennessee law allows adults to own and carry a broad range of knives without a general statewide blade-length limit. In 2014, the state repealed its bans involving switchblades and knives with blades longer than four inches. Current § 39-17-1307 does not make ordinary knife carry an offense merely because a blade exceeds four inches. [1] [2]
The old “four-inch concealed carry limit” is not current Tennessee law. The major knife-specific concerns are criminal intent, school property, judicial proceedings, private-property rules, and federal restrictions.
Which knives can adults own?
Public Chapter 647 made lawful the sale, transfer, ownership, possession, and transportation of switchblade knives and knives with blades longer than four inches. That means automatic knives, OTF knives, large folders, and fixed blades are not prohibited by the old state design or length rules. [1]
Balisongs are likewise not named in a current statewide ownership ban in the cited provisions. Other laws still apply when a knife is used, carried, or possessed for a criminal purpose.
What are the open- and concealed-carry rules?
Current § 39-17-1307(a) addresses carrying a firearm or club with intent to go armed; it no longer includes a knife-length category. Subsection (d) prohibits possessing a deadly weapon other than a firearm with intent to employ it during the commission, attempt, or escape from a dangerous offense, and also addresses intent to employ a deadly weapon during another offense. [2]
Accordingly, an ordinary lawfully carried knife is not made illegal merely because it is concealed or has a blade longer than four inches. Threatening conduct, assault, criminal intent, or another offense can change the result.
How do vehicle carry and transport work?
Tennessee’s 2014 reform expressly made transportation of switchblades and knives longer than four inches lawful. [1] That does not override school-property rules, employer policies, private-property conditions, or federal law. For routine travel, keep the knife closed or sheathed and secured.
What rules apply on school property?
Section 39-17-1309 prohibits possessing or carrying, openly or concealed and with intent to go armed, a bowie knife, hawkbill knife, dagger, switchblade knife, or other listed or like weapon on public or private school buildings, buses, campuses, grounds, recreation areas, athletic fields, and other educational property, unless an exception applies. [3]
The statute includes a narrow exception for a nonstudent adult who carries a concealed folding pocketknife solely while on school property to vote, provided the knife is not handled. Do not generalize that exception to students, ordinary visits, or school events. [3]
What other locations require caution?
Tennessee separately regulates weapons during judicial proceedings. Federal buildings, airport secure areas, military property, and other federal locations follow federal rules. Businesses and private property owners may impose their own conditions. Always inspect posted notices and the rules of the facility.
Does state law preempt local knife ordinances?
Tennessee Code § 39-17-1314(f) states that the weapons part is preemptive with respect to the transfer, ownership, possession, and transportation of knives, and it prevents cities, counties, and metropolitan governments from occupying those fields. [4]
The text should not be expanded beyond its listed subjects without checking current law. Property-management rules and other state-authorized restrictions may still apply.
Practical takeaway
Tennessee has no current general four-inch carry limit and does not ban switchblades. Carry for lawful purposes, avoid school property and other restricted places, never carry or use a knife with criminal intent, and check federal and private-property rules.
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Tennessee knife law can depend on intended use, conduct, location, school status, property rules, federal law, and court interpretation. Verify current official sources or consult a qualified Tennessee attorney about a specific situation.
Sources & References
- [1] Tennessee Public Chapter 647 / SB 1771 (2014). Repeal of switchblade and over-four-inch knife restrictions.
- [2] Tenn. Code § 39-17-1307 (2025). Current unlawful-carry and criminal-intent provisions.
- [3] Tenn. Code § 39-17-1309 (2025). Weapons on school property and exceptions.
- [4] Tenn. Code § 39-17-1314. State preemption concerning knife transfer, ownership, possession, and transportation.
- [5] Tennessee Department of Safety: weapons-law index. Official index linking Tennessee weapons provisions.
