City of Baltimore
Baltimore City Code

§ 59-23. Dangerous knives – Transfer, etc.; Commercial displays.

(a) Definitions.

(1) In general.

In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) Dangerous knife.

"Dangerous knife" means any:

(i) Bowie knife;

(ii) dirk knife;

(iii) gravity knife;

(iv) shooting knife, as described in State Criminal Law Article § 4-105;

(v) star knife, as defined in State Criminal Law Article § 4-101;

(vi) straight razor;

(vii) switchblade knife, as described in § 59-22 of this subtitle or in State Criminal Law Article § 4-105; or

(viii) any knife with a blade that is longer than 3 inches.

(b) Prohibited transfer, etc., to individuals under 21.

No person may sell, give, or otherwise transfer a dangerous knife to, or permit the use or possession of a dangerous knife by, any individual that the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under the age of 21.

(c) Commercial display.

(1) Placement in windows or glass display cases prohibited.

(i) Except as provided in part (ii) of this paragraph, no person may place a dangerous knife in an exterior window or glass display case of a commercial establishment that offers knives for sale.

(ii) The display of a dangerous knife in a glass display case is permitted in a commercial establishment that sells primarily sporting goods.

(2) Placement in establishments open to individuals under 21.

In any commercial establishment open to individuals under the age of 21, a dangerous knife available for sale must be placed behind a sales counter and be inaccessible to individuals under the age of 21.

(d) Penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.