Knife Laws in New Mexico

Knife laws of New Mexico are Ambiguous and leave plenty of room for misinterpretation. They haven’t been updated in a long time.

Knowing what to look out for will keep you out of trouble. Here you will find everything you need to know about knife laws in New Mexico.

Legal Knives to Own in New Mexico

New Mexico is one of the few states that allows Bowie knives and other large hunting knives. There are no restrictions around them. Also, you can own throwing knives and even Chinese throwing stars.

Knives such as stilettos, daggers, and dirks are also perfectly legal. Since the laws haven’t been updated in a while, some types of knives are not mentioned, whether they are legal or not.

Since there are no regulations, you can catch them without any problem.

Illegal Knives to Own in New Mexico

Switchblades and other automatic knives are illegal in New Mexico. Such knives can be deployed in no time with a mechanism – such as a button. Additionally, a butterfly or Bali knife is illegal in New Mexico.

Carry Limits

If you do not possess a knife that is on the banned list, then you can legally carry any knife in New Mexico in the open. However, you should be able to see it, and you should be fine.

Concealed Carry

There are more restrictions associated with concealed carry. Aside from banned knives, you must not conceal carry a stabbing knife. This includes daggers, poniards, dirks, stilettos, etc.

Additionally, you cannot conceal carrying a butcher knife or a bowie knife. Furthermore, any weapon that is capable of causing dangerous wounds is illegal to conceal.

Specific Locations / Circumstances

Knives may not be carried on school property – actual buildings, school grounds, security areas, and transportation.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer

There is no restriction on the sale or transfer of knives unless the knife is banned.

Statewide Pre-emption

There is a statewide preemption in New Mexico. Knives are included in the right to keep and carry arms, which no municipality may regulate. New Mexico does not allow knife ordinances in cities.

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions regarding the carrying of knives by members of the peace corps. There is no mention of banned knives in the laws, which creates confusion.

It is wise to avoid prohibited knives or to double-check beforehand to be on the safe side.

Summary of Knife Laws in New Mexico

New Mexico is not very strict when it comes to knife laws. Like most other states, it allows most knives, but it bans a few. Most of the restrictions apply to concealed carry, and they target only certain knives.

Also, there are no important dimensions to remember – the terms applicable to the specific type of knife rather than the size of the blade.