Knife laws in Delaware
We list 7 Delaware rules on knives; 3 are bans.
Check a specific item for DelawareDelaware
18+Age-restrict fixed-blade knives and balisongs to Delaware buyers 18+, since any knife other than an ordinary pocketknife is a "deadly weapon" and persons under 18 may not purchase or possess one.
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1448. Possession and purchase of deadly weapons by persons prohibited; penalties. [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 430, § 2] (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following persons are prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm within the State: ... (5) Any person under the age of 21. a. This paragraph (a)(5) shall not apply to the purchase, owning, possession, or control of the following deadly weapons: 1. A shotgun as defined in § 1444(c) of this title or ammunition for a shotgun. 2. A muzzle-loading rifle as defined in § 704(f) of Title 7. 3. Deadly weapons, including projectile weapons other than firearms if the person is 18 years of age or older.
18+Age-restrict automatic and OTF knives to Delaware buyers 18+, since a "switchblade knife" is listed as a deadly weapon regardless of blade length.
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1448. Possession and purchase of deadly weapons by persons prohibited; penalties. [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 430, § 2] (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following persons are prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm within the State: ... (5) Any person under the age of 21. a. This paragraph (a)(5) shall not apply to the purchase, owning, possession, or control of the following deadly weapons: 1. A shotgun as defined in § 1444(c) of this title or ammunition for a shotgun. 2. A muzzle-loading rifle as defined in § 704(f) of Title 7. 3. Deadly weapons, including projectile weapons other than firearms if the person is 18 years of age or older.
18+Age-restrict folding knives with blades longer than 3.75 inches to Delaware buyers 18+, because they fall outside the "ordinary pocketknife" exclusion and are deadly weapons.
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1448. Possession and purchase of deadly weapons by persons prohibited; penalties. [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 430, § 2] (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following persons are prohibited from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition for a firearm within the State: ... (5) Any person under the age of 21. a. This paragraph (a)(5) shall not apply to the purchase, owning, possession, or control of the following deadly weapons: 1. A shotgun as defined in § 1444(c) of this title or ammunition for a shotgun. 2. A muzzle-loading rifle as defined in § 704(f) of Title 7. 3. Deadly weapons, including projectile weapons other than firearms if the person is 18 years of age or older.
BannedBlock knives whose blade is supported by a knuckle-ring grip handle (knuckle/trench-style knives) to Delaware addresses.
11 Del. C. § 1452 · draft
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1452. Unlawfully dealing with knuckles-combination knife; class B misdemeanor. A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a knuckles-combination knife when the person sells, offers for sale or has in possession a knife, the blade of which is supported by a knuckle ring grip handle. Unlawfully dealing with a knuckles-combination knife is a class B misdemeanor.
BannedBlock knives made to be used as weapons that a metal detector cannot detect (e.g., all-polymer/ceramic weapon knives without a permanent metal insert) to Delaware addresses.
11 Del. C. § 1446A · draft
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1446A. Undetectable knives; commercial manufacture, import for commercial sale, or offers for commercial sale; or possession. (a) Any person in this state who commercially manufactures or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who knowingly imports into the state for commercial sale, keeps for commercial sale, or offers or exposes for commercial sale, or who possesses any undetectable knife is guilty of a class G felony. As used in this section, an “undetectable knife” means any knife or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict serious physical injury or death that is commercially manufactured to be used as a weapon and is not detectable by a metal detector or magnetometer because there is no material permanently affixed that would be detectable by a metal detector or magnetometer, either handheld or otherwise, that is set at standard calibration. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all knives or other instruments with or without a handguard that are capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict serious physical injury or death that are commercially manufactured in this state that utilize materials that are not detectable by a metal detector or magnetometer, shall be manufactured to include permanently installed materials that will ensure they are detectable by a metal detector or magnetometer, either handheld or otherwise, that is set at standard calibration. (c) This section shall not apply to the manufacture or importation of undetectable knives for sale to a law-enforcement or military entity nor shall this section apply to the subsequent sale of these knives to law enforcement or military entity. (d) This section shall not apply to the manufacture or importation of undetectable knives for sale to federal, state, and local historical societies, museums, and institutional collections which are open to the public, provided that the undetectable knives are properly housed and secured from unauthorized handling, nor shall this section apply to the subsequent sale of the knives to these societies, museums, and collections.
BannedDo not ship switchblade (automatic) knives to Delaware: 24 Del. C. § 901 still says no person, licensed or not, may possess, sell or offer one for sale, even though the Title 11 switchblade offense was repealed in 2025.
24 Del. C. § 901 · draft
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§ 901. License requirement. No person shall engage in the business of selling any pistol or revolver, or stiletto, steel or brass knuckles, or other deadly weapon made especially for the defense of one’s person without first having obtained a license therefor, which license shall be known as “special license to sell deadly weapons” or a state license under Chapter 9B of this title. No person licensed or unlicensed shall possess, sell or offer for sale any switchblade knife. This section shall not apply to toy pistols, pocket knives or knives used for sporting purposes and in the domestic household, or surgical instruments or tools of any kind. 26 Del. Laws, c. 15, § 1 ; Code 1915, § 257; Code 1935, § 231; 24 Del. C. 1953, § 901; 49 Del. Laws, c. 77 ; 66 Del. Laws, c. 184, § 1 ; 85 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 2 ;
21+Only sell stilettos to Delaware buyers who are 21 or older: 24 Del. C. § 903 bars selling the § 901 weapons (stilettos, knuckles, other personal-defense weapons) to anyone under 21.
24 Del. C. § 903 · draft
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§ 903. Sale to persons under 21 or intoxicated persons. No person shall sell to a person under the age of 21 or any intoxicated person any of the articles referred to in the first paragraph of § 901 of this title. 26 Del. Laws, c. 15, § 3 ; Code 1915, § 259; 30 Del. Laws, c. 28, § 1 ; Code 1935, § 233; 42 Del. Laws, c. 71, § 2 ; 24 Del. C. 1953, § 903; 66 Del. Laws, c. 184, § 2 ;
Federal
Applies in every state.
BannedFederal law (15 U.S.C. § 1242) bars shipping automatic/OTF switchblades across state lines. On Oct. 21, 2026 the Fifth Circuit held this unconstitutional (Knife Rights v. Blanche), but the case was sent back to the district court with no judgment or injunction yet, and the statute remains on the books; we keep blocking until the case is final or counsel advises otherwise. Shipping within your own state isn't covered.
15 U.S.C. § 1242 · draft
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§1242. Introduction, manufacture for introduction, transportation or distribution in interstate commerce; penalty Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. (Pub. L. 85–623, §2, Aug. 12, 1958, 72 Stat. 562.)
BannedDo not sell or ship a ballistic knife (detachable blade propelled by a spring-operated mechanism) to any US consumer.
15 U.S.C. § 1245 · draft
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§1245. Ballistic knives (a) Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or importation Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. (b) Prohibition and penalties for possession or use during commission of Federal crime of violence Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years, or both. (c) Exceptions The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section. (d) "Ballistic knife" defined As used in this section, the term "ballistic knife" means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism. (Pub. L. 85–623, §7, as added Pub. L. 99–570, title X, §10002, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–167; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §6472, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4379.)
BannedNever ship an automatic, OTF, or gravity knife via USPS to a consumer, even within the same state; USPS may carry them only to government/National Guard/militia procurement officers or to manufacturers/dealers filling such orders.
18 U.S.C. § 1716(g) · draft
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(g) All knives having a blade which opens automatically (1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both, are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such knives may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe— (1) to civilian or Armed Forces supply or procurement officers and employees of the Federal Government ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of the Federal Government; (2) to supply or procurement officers of the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or militia of a State ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of such organizations; (3) to supply or procurement officers or employees of any State, or any political subdivision of a State or Territory, ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of such government; and (4) to manufacturers of such knives or bona fide dealers therein in connection with any shipment made pursuant to an order from any person designated in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). The Postal Service may require, as a condition of conveying any such knife in the mails, that any person proposing to mail such knife explain in writing to the satisfaction of the Postal Service that the mailing of such knife will not be in violation of this section.
BannedBallistic knives are nonmailable via USPS on the same terms as switchblades.
18 U.S.C. § 1716(i) · draft
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(i)(1) Any ballistic knife shall be subject to the same restrictions and penalties provided under subsection (g) for knives described in the first sentence of that subsection. (2) As used in this subsection, the term "ballistic knife" means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
BannedUSPS will not accept a switchblade (automatic/OTF/gravity) addressed to a private consumer; ordinary fixed, manual folding, and assisted-opening knives are mailable if packaged per § 443.
USPS Publication 52 § 442 · draft
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442 Mailability A switchblade knife, as defined in 441.2, is mailable only to the following categories of addressees: Government Supply or Procurement Officials: Designated officers or employees ordering, procuring, or purchasing switchblade knives in connection with the activities of their respective governments or organizations, such as: Federal employees, civilian, or armed forces supply or procurement officers. Supply or procurement officers of the National Guard, Air National Guard, or militia of a state, territory, or the District of Columbia (D.C.). Supply or procurement officers or employees of municipal government in D.C., or of the government of any state, territory, county, city, or other political subdivision of a state or territory. Postal Service employees may require that the mailer verify the recipient belongs to one of the above categories before accepting any mailpiece containing an article or articles described in 441.2. Manufacturers or Dealers: Authorized manufacturers or bona fide dealers may mail switchblade knives to addresses within one of the categories listed above in connection with official procurement or resale. When uncertain about the mailability of a sharp instrument or a switchblade knife, a ruling may be requested from the local postmaster (refer to 215).
BannedDon't mail lighters (fuel-filled, with an ignition mechanism) through USPS unless you hold a written USPS approval letter; they are otherwise nonmailable.
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343.24 Lighters Lighters with ignition elements and containing liquid fuel are classified as a Class 3 flammable liquid; those containing flammable gas are Division 2.1. Mailing is permitted only for domestic surface transportation only under the following conditions: Certification: Lighter design must be certified by a DOT-approved lighter testing agency per 49 CFR § 173.21(i) and 173.308, with an issued Approval Number (LAA****). Authorization: Mailers must submit a written request to mail lighters, to the PCSC director, accompanied by a legible copy of the official DOT approval notice described in 343.24a, along with a sample lighter within the proposed packaging. The request must also include the quantity of lighters being mailed and the post office location where the mailings will be entered. An approval letter must be obtained from the PCSC director prior to mailing. Packaging: Packaging must secure the lighter‘s sparking mechanism against accidental ignition, and all preparation and packaging requirements in the PCSC director‘s approval letter must be met. Packaging Instruction 3C in Appendix C must be followed. Labeling: The address side of the mailpiece must display the following: Proper Shipping Name (Lighter(s) or Lighter Refill(s)) Approval Number (LAA*****) Surface Only or Surface Mail Only Documentation: A legible copy of the PCSC director‘s approval letter must be presented at the time of the first mailing at each Postal Service facility. A shipping paper is not required.
BannedDon't mail lithium-ion batteries over 100 Wh (e.g. portable power stations, large e-bike/scooter packs) or lithium-metal batteries over 2 g lithium through USPS; they exceed the mailable limits.
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349.241 General Requirements The following additional restrictions apply to the mailability of all secondary lithium-ion or lithium polymer cells and batteries: Watt-Hour Rating per Cell: Cells must not exceed a 20 Wh rating. Watt-Hour Rating per Battery: Batteries must not exceed a 100 Wh rating. Watt-Hour Marking: Each battery must display the "Watt-hour" or "Wh" marking to verify it is within the limits defined in items a and b. ... Lithium Content per Cell: Each cell must not exceed more than 1.0 gram of lithium. Lithium Content per Battery: Each battery must not exceed more than 2.0 grams of lithium content. ... Damaged, Defective, or Recalled Batteries: Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries unless approved by the director, Product Classification (Refer to 214 for contact information).
BannedDon't mail liquids with a flashpoint at or below 20 F, such as pure-acetone nail polish remover or gasoline, through USPS at all (not even by ground).
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The following materials are nonmailable: All flammable liquids having a flashpoint of 20° F (-7° C) or below are prohibited from mailing. Gasoline (UN1203) is a flammable liquid that normally has a flashpoint of -50° F. Gasoline is nonmailable under any circumstances. Acetone (UN1090) normally has a flashpoint of 0° F, Benzene (UN1114) normally has a flashpoint of 12° F, and Hexane(s) (UN1208) normally have flashpoints in the vicinity of -15° F. All are nonmailable unless diluted with less flammable or nonflammable materials sufficient to raise the flashpoint to 20° F or higher.
BannedDon't mail strike-anywhere matches through USPS; only book, card or strike-on-box safety matches are mailable, and only by ground.
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344.2 Mailability The following conditions apply for mailing Hazard Class 4 items: International Mail: All flammable solids are prohibited. Domestic Mail via Air Transportation: All flammable solids are prohibited. Domestic Mail via Surface Transportation: Flammable solids that qualify as Limited Quantity surface materials are permitted. 344.21 Mailable Flammable Solids The following flammable solids are permitted for mailing under specified conditions: Limited Quantity Surface Materials: Flammable solids that qualify as Limited Quantity surface materials are permitted in the domestic mail via surface transportation. Safety matches: Book, card, or strike-on-box safety matches are permitted only in domestic mail via surface transportation. ... Strike-anywhere matches and safety matches are examples of flammable solids. All flammable solids are prohibited in domestic air transportation and in international mail. Safety matches (book, card, or strike-on-box) are mailable only domestic surface transportation.
BannedDon't ship aerosols, perfume/nail polish, butane, lighters, matches, loose lithium batteries or power banks by FedEx unless your account is an approved FedEx hazardous-materials shipper; even Limited Quantity items need approval and a scheduled pickup.
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In order to ship packages containing hazardous materials via FedEx Ground service, you first must complete an approval process. Contact your FedEx account executive to become an approved hazardous materials shipper. Before you can begin shipping hazardous materials via FedEx, you must be approved (see How to Qualify). Contact your FedEx account executive or call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.463.3339 (say “hazardous materials”) for more information. ... For all types of FedEx packages containing hazardous materials, you first must complete an approval process. Contact your FedEx account executive to become an approved hazardous materials shipper. ... Hazardous materials, including Limited Quantity materials and dry ice, are not accepted at FedEx Office® Print and Ship Centers, FedEx Ship Center® locations, FedEx Office® Ship Centers, FedEx Authorized ShipCenter® locations, FedEx® Drop Boxes or unstaffed FedEx locations. Shipments containing hazardous materials, including Limited Quantity materials and dry ice, must be tendered to FedEx via a scheduled pickup at the customer location. FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers will accept shipments containing lithium batteries shipped according to 49 CFR 173.185. See FedEx® services available to ship dangerous goods for information on dropping off FedEx shipments that contain lithium batteries (look under Restrictions).