How long can butterfly knives be to be legal in North Carolina?

Answer 1

Butterfly knives are defined as a type of "locking gravity knife" in most law since it opens and locks automatically by the force of gravity (inertia or centrifugal force). In US law, the government can only impact butterfly knife legality REGARDLESS OF SIZE where they have been able to apply commercial transactions substantially affecting interstate commerce (the Commerce Clause) in the Constitution. Or, where they have other jurisdiction, like the US Mail, military bases, Federal lands, Indian Reservations, or Washington DC. Thank the 2nd Amendment for that. In North Carolina, similarly, they can make the butterfly knife illegal to carry on school grounds REGARDLESS OF SIZE since there is other precedent (NC14-269.2... (d)). Again, thank your 2nd Amendment rights. To answer your question then, it seems that it is case law that defines the knife's legality, saying "Knife about 4-1/2 inches in overall length which, when folded, was clearly designed for carrying in a pocket or purse, was an 'ordinary pocketknife' as defined by this section." (1989) -- referring to section NC14-269 ... except in your own home then, this would be a concealed weapon in NC. So it may not be as much the type of knife as much as the overall length or where you are carrying it that will make it illegal.