Vermont generally does not ban ordinary pocket knives, fixed blades, balisongs, or automatic knives by design or blade length. In 2025, the Legislature removed the former switchblade restriction from 13 V.S.A. § 4013. Current law focuses more on intent and restricted locations than on a statewide list of prohibited knife types. [1] [2]
Vermont has no general statewide blade-length limit for lawful adult ownership or carry. However, carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with intent to injure is a crime, and school buildings, school buses, and courthouses have specific restrictions.
Which knives can adults own?
Vermont’s current weapons chapter does not create a general ownership ban for manual folders, fixed blades, automatic knives, OTF knives, or balisongs. The 2025 law removed the switchblade portion of former § 4013 and directed expungement of qualifying prior switchblade convictions. [2]
No state permit or registration is identified in the cited provisions for ordinary knife ownership. A retailer, carrier, employer, venue, or online marketplace may still impose its own age, shipping, or product rules.
What are the open- and concealed-carry rules?
Section 4003 prohibits carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with intent to injure another person. It does not establish a general blade-length limit or separate ordinary knife carry into statewide open- and concealed-carry categories. [3]
For a knife carried as a lawful tool, neither visibility nor concealment alone is made an offense by § 4003. Threats, assaultive conduct, intent to injure, or another crime can change the analysis.
How do vehicle carry and transport work?
The cited Vermont provisions do not impose a separate statewide storage method for an ordinary lawfully possessed knife in a private vehicle. Keep the knife closed or sheathed and secured, and check the law at the destination. School, courthouse, private-property, carrier, and federal-location rules can still apply.
What rules apply at schools?
Section 4004 prohibits knowingly possessing a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon inside a school building or on a school bus. On other school property, the statutory offense requires intent to injure another person. The law contains exceptions for law enforcement and possession or use specifically authorized by school officials. [4]
The statute uses the context-based definition in § 4016: an object is a dangerous or deadly weapon when, in the manner used or intended to be used, it is known to be capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. School policies may be broader than the criminal statute, so students, staff, and visitors should follow the school’s written rules. [5]
What rules apply at courthouses?
Without court authorization, a person may not knowingly carry or possess a dangerous or deadly weapon in a Vermont courthouse. A secured courthouse does not allow dangerous or deadly weapons. Posted notices and security screening should be treated as controlling. [5]
Does Vermont preempt local knife ordinances?
No broad knife-preemption rule appears in 24 V.S.A. § 2295. That section expressly covers hunting, fishing, trapping, traps, firearms, ammunition, and firearm components, but it does not list knives. The earlier claim that § 2295 automatically invalidates stricter local knife ordinances was therefore too broad. [6]
Check current municipal codes and property rules where you plan to carry, especially in Burlington or at municipal facilities and public events.
Practical takeaway
Vermont is permissive toward ordinary knife ownership and lawful carry, and the former switchblade restriction was removed in 2025. Avoid any intent or conduct connected with injury, keep knives out of school buildings, school buses, and courthouses unless a statutory authorization applies, and verify local and property-specific rules.
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Vermont knife law can depend on intended use, conduct, location, school authorization, local ordinances, property rules, federal law, and court interpretation. Verify current official sources or consult a qualified Vermont attorney about a specific situation.
Sources & References
- [1] 13 V.S.A. Chapter 85. Current Vermont weapons chapter.
- [2] Vermont 2025 Acts and Resolves Summary, Act 64. Removal of the switchblade restriction and related expungement provision.
- [3] 13 V.S.A. § 4003. Carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with intent to injure.
- [4] 13 V.S.A. § 4004. School buildings, school buses, school property, and exceptions.
- [5] 13 V.S.A. § 4016. Courthouse restrictions and the context-based dangerous-or-deadly-weapon definition.
- [6] 24 V.S.A. § 2295. Local preemption text, which lists firearms and related subjects but not knives.
