Understanding your knife rights in New Mexico is essential for both residents and visitors, as the state’s laws are a mix of permissive open carry rules and strict prohibitions on certain types and manners of carrying. Here’s a comprehensive legal guide for 2025:
What Knives Can You Own and Carry?
- Ownership: New Mexico law allows you to own almost any type of knife, including large fixed blades, daggers, bowie knives, and gravity knives. There is no general restriction on blade length for ownership.
- Open Carry: You may openly carry nearly any type of knife, including fixed blades, on your person or in your vehicle. Open carry is broadly legal and does not require a permit.
- Concealed Carry: Concealed carry is where most restrictions apply:
- It is illegal to carry certain knives concealed outside your home or property, including daggers, switchblades, bowie knives, butcher knives, dirks, poniards, and any knife considered a “deadly weapon” (i.e., capable of inflicting dangerous cuts or thrusts).
- There is no specific statewide blade length limit for most knives, but for certain types (like dirks, daggers, and switchblades), concealed carry is prohibited regardless of length.
- Concealed carry of a legal knife in your own residence or on your own property is allowed.
Switchblades and Gravity Knives
- Switchblades: It is illegal to manufacture, sell, transfer, or possess a switchblade knife in public. Carrying a switchblade in public is a petty misdemeanor.
- Gravity Knives: These are subject to specific regulation, and possession or use in prohibited locations can lead to penalties.
Restricted Locations
You cannot carry knives—openly or concealed—in the following locations:
- Schools and School Property: Carrying any knife on school grounds (including in vehicles) is prohibited, with very limited exceptions.
- Government Buildings: Knives are banned in all state, county, and city government buildings, including courthouses and libraries.
- Public Parks: Many city and county parks prohibit knives, often regardless of size or type.
- Other Sensitive Areas: Some museums and public facilities may also prohibit knives.
Intent and Law Enforcement Discretion
- The law distinguishes between knives carried as tools and those carried as weapons. If a knife is carried with unlawful intent, it can be classified as a deadly weapon, leading to felony charges.
- Law enforcement and courts may consider the context, your intent, and the specific characteristics of the knife when determining legality.
Statewide Preemption
- Local governments in New Mexico cannot enact knife laws stricter than state law due to statewide preemption. This means the rules above apply uniformly across the state.
Penalties
- Violating knife laws (especially regarding switchblades or carrying in restricted areas) can result in petty misdemeanors, fines, and up to six months in jail.
Summary Table
| Action/Location | Legal? (Open Carry) | Legal? (Concealed Carry) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any knife, public place | Yes | No (if deadly weapon) | Concealed carry of deadly weapons prohibited |
| Switchblade/gravity knife | No | No | Illegal to possess, sell, or carry |
| On your own property/home | Yes | Yes | Both open and concealed carry allowed |
| Schools/government buildings | No | No | All knives prohibited |
| Public parks (varies locally) | Often No | Often No | Many local bans, check signs |
Key Takeaways
- Open carry of most knives is legal.
- Concealed carry of deadly weapons (certain knives) is generally illegal outside your home or property.
- Switchblades and gravity knives are prohibited.
- Knives are banned in schools, government buildings, and many parks.
- State law preempts local ordinances, but always check for posted restrictions in specific public spaces.
If in doubt, carry knives openly and avoid restricted locations to stay on the right side of New Mexico law.
Sources:
- https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/new-mexico/
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/new-mexico-knife-laws/
- https://dailycarryco.com/blogs/everydaycarry/understanding-gravity-knives-in-new-mexico-laws-definitions-and-usage
- https://www.shokuninusa.com/it-eu/blogs/news/pocket-knife-laws-knife-length-laws-usa