Knife Laws In Maine
Maine knife laws are somewhat wildering like Louisiana but are comparatively more stringent, especially on the concealment issue. Because of the ambiguity regarding knife legislation, people find it more difficult to figure out what is legal what is not, and what are the restrictions imposed by the state. Moreover, people are enthused to keep survival knives for their safety and protection.
The legal restrictions levied by the state on particular knives
Several knives are banned in the state. For instance, Switchblades, gravity knives, and other automatic knives are banned in Maine. Moreover, there are restrictions on carrying dangerous weapons such as dirks, and daggers too.
Here is everything you need to know about the knife laws in Maine.
Knife types that are explicitly Illegal in Maine
According to the knife laws in Maine,
Knowingly unlawfully owning, manufacturing, buying, or selling some particular knives is illegal. They are,
- Switchblades are banned in Maine.
- Gravity knives are banned in Maine.
- All other automatic knives are banned in Maine.
Code title no. 17, section no. 1055 describes the banned knives in Maine
According to 1055. (1)
“A person is guilty of possession or distribution of dangerous knives if, when the person has no right to do so, the person knowingly manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or knowingly possesses, displays, offers, sells, lends, gives away, or purchases any knife that has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or another device in the handle of the knife, or any knife having a blade that opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement.”
As per the knife legislation in Maine:
“Possession or distribution of dangerous knives is a Class D crime”
The exception to the rule:
“Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person who has only one arm may possess and transport a knife described under subsection 1 that has a blade 3 inches or less in length.”
Why automatic, switchblade, and gravity knives are banned in Maine?
As per the knife laws in Maine,
“If anyone unlawfully manufactures, possesses, displays, offers, sells/buys any knife and the knife has its blade open automatically with the hand pressure and/or by the inertia or the force of gravity, is guilty of a Class D crime. So, any automatic knives such as switchblades, gravity knives, etc. are banned in Maine.”
The exception to the rule:
“A person who has only one arm can possess and transport these prohibited automatic knives with the length of the blade size three (3) inches or less.”
Laws for Carrying Knives in Maine
It’s true that in Maine several dangerous knives are permissible under knife legislation of the state. For instance, bowie knives, dirks, stilettos, daggers, etc. are legal in Maine, in case carrying those, is illegal here. Yes, it is a bit bewildering but let us take a deep dive to make it clearer to the citizens, migrants, and tourists.
As per the law,
“Displaying or carrying openly or displaying openly in a threatening manner, these dangerous knives are illegal in Maine.”
As per the concealment laws in Maine:
“Carrying dangerous or deadly knives concealed or under one person’s clothes such as slung-shot, knuckles, bowie knives, dirks, stilettos, etc. are illegal in Maine.”
The exception to the rule:
“Anyone can easily carry these dangerous knives without any restrictions when he or she is hunting, fishing, or trapping something. It would be legal then.”
In code title no. 25, section no. 2001-A:
Display or carrying is prohibited if:
A person may not unless excepted by a provision of law:
“Display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or another dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person; Wear under the person’s clothes or conceal about the person’s person a firearm, slung-shot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or another dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person.”
The exception to the rule:
The provisions of this section concerning the carrying of concealed weapons do not apply to:
“Knives used to hunt, fish or trap as defined in Title 12, section 10001.”
Knives that are Legal to Own In Maine
Apart from the switchblades, automatic knives, gravity knives, and Balisong knives, all other knives are legal to own in Maine. People are free to use the legally allowed knives in the state.
- All kinds of pocket knives are legal to own in Maine
- Bowie knives are legal to own in Maine
- Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal to own in Maine
- Knives that are imperceptible and mostly disguised under lipstick, pen, cane, belt, etc. are legal to own in Maine
- Throwing knives and throwing stars/ninja stars and all other weapons and tools that are used in martial arts are legal to own in Maine
- Ballistic knives are legal to own in Maine
- Undetectable knives are legal to own in Maine
The Blade Size permissible under the knife legislation in Maine
The knife law in Maine is concerned for people having a physical disabilities and binds them in flexible laws. For instance,
“There are no specific blade sizes for the knives to be legal. But people with the disability such as, with one hand or arm can possess or transport the illegal knives within the blade limit of three (3) inches.”
Knife Laws for the Minors in Maine
The knife law in Maine does not outlay any specific direction for Minors. There is no special law for minors. Nevertheless, eighteen (18) years old is the legal age for possessing knives as well as dangerous weapons. The law does not make any exclusive rules and regulations for underage teens.
No-Knife Places in Maine
In Maine, schools are the restricted venues where you cannot enter with open or concealed knives. Moreover, schools are weapon/knife-free zone in the other states. All sorts of knives are illegal on school premises.
Restrictions on carrying in Specific Locations / Circumstances
As per the knife law,
“Schools are weapon-free zones in Maine, so you cannot bring any knives over. You cannot carry them in the open either. The same rule applies to anything related to schools – school buses, school grounds, or even activities organized by schools, even if they take place somewhere else.”
Legal Defense when you are charged
Maine is one of those states in the US where rules and regulations regarding knives are substantially relaxing for the knife-owners. Nevertheless, you need to be careful and need to be updated with the laws.
The points you should seek before getting a knife are:
- The legal status of the knife
- The reason for holding a dangerous knife
- Let the officer know that you have a knife, because confessing the truth may not help you always.
The exception to the rule:
Apart from the legal defenses, the duty officers from any authorized and legal force are allowed use.
Restrictions on Sale or Transfer in Maine
As per the law,
“There are no restrictions on sale or transfer. Since there are no banned knives in Maine, you can manufacture, sell or give all kinds of knives.”
Is there a statewide pre-emption?
There is no statewide pre-emption regarding knives in Maine. All knives are legal to own in Maine. There is no legal binding of the blade length either. Limitations apply to the concealed carry of dirks, switchblades, and stilettos. Any knife is permissible to carry openly if you do not display it in a threatening manner.
The exception to the rule:
“The concealed carry restriction does not apply to knives used to hunt, fish, or trap. There are no other exceptions documented in the laws. Everyone must follow the same rules, including members of the military or law enforcement agencies.”
Sum up the Knife Laws in Maine
Knife laws in Maine are neither harsh nor extremely relaxing. Nevertheless, the law has a rigid standing for carrying knives openly or concealed. Some particular dangerous knives which are legal to own are illegal to carry concealed and even openly. The blade length is also unspecific, so you can go to any length. But it is suggested that you should have an authentic reason for holding an extremely sharp blade and a dangerous weapon. The minor is also a sensible citizen in the eyes of Maine knife law. Being a responsible citizen, you should always respect the law. If you are a person among those who negate the law for no apparent reason, then Maine would be a tough place to live in. Otherwise, Maine knife laws are not that tough and tricky to abide by.
