Knives
G.S. 14-269 — a concealed bowie knife or dirk, and the ordinary pocket knife excepted
In North Carolina, it is unlawful to willfully and intentionally carry concealed about the person a bowie knife, dirk, dagger, razor or other deadly weapon of like kind, except on the person's own premises.
The ordinary pocket knife. The section does not apply to an ordinary pocket knife carried in a closed position: a small knife designed for carrying in a pocket or purse, with its cutting edge and point entirely enclosed by its handle, that may not be opened by a throwing, explosive or spring action.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny knife in a pocket is concealed carry | What the law actually doesAn ordinary pocket knife carried closed is outside the section |
| The assumptionA spring opening knife counts as a pocket knife | What the law actually doesNot if it may be opened by a throwing, explosive or spring action |
Federal buildings, courthouses, airports, schools and private property with its own rules are separate questions, and so are court decisions on whether a listed knife is protected by the Second Amendment. Whether a particular knife, or a particular way of carrying it, falls inside the section is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 14-269 — Carrying concealed weapons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.