---
kind: "range"
citation: "15 U.S.C. §§ 1241–1245"
title: "15"
from: "1241"
to: "1245"
count: 5
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1241..1245"
---

# §1241. Definitions


As used in this chapter—

- (a) The term “interstate commerce” means commerce between any [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2), Territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.
- (b) The term “switchblade knife” means any knife 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.

# §1242. Introduction, manufacture for introduction, transportation or distribution in interstate commerce; penalty


Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into [interstate commerce](/usc/15/1241.md?p=a), or transports or distributes in [interstate commerce](/usc/15/1241.md?p=a), any [switchblade knife](/usc/15/1241.md?p=b), shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


# §1243. Manufacture, sale, or possession within specific jurisdictions; penalty


Whoever, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in [section 1151 of title 18](/usc/18/1151.md)), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in [section 7 of title 18](/usc/18/7.md)), manufactures, sells, or possesses any [switchblade knife](/usc/15/1241.md?p=b), shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.


# §1244. Exceptions


Sections [1242](/usc/15/1242.md) and [1243](/usc/15/1243.md) of this title shall not apply to—

- (1) any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any [switchblade knife](/usc/15/1241.md?p=b) shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment in [interstate commerce](/usc/15/1241.md?p=a) in the ordinary course of business;
- (2) the manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution, possession, or introduction into [interstate commerce](/usc/15/1241.md?p=a), of switchblade knives pursuant to contract with the Armed Forces;
- (3) the Armed Forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his duty;
- (4) the possession, and transportation upon his [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E), of any [switchblade knife](/usc/15/1241.md?p=b) with a blade three inches or less in length by any individual who has only one arm; or
- (5) a knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife.

# §1245. Ballistic knives

- (a) **Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or importation—** Whoever in or affecting [interstate commerce](/usc/15/1241.md?p=a), within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in [section 1151 of title 18](/usc/18/1151.md)), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in [section 7 of title 18](/usc/18/7.md)), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports a [ballistic knife](#d) shall be fined as provided in [title 18](/usc/18.md), 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](#d) in the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15) of a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in [title 18](/usc/18.md), 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](/usc/15/1244.md) with respect to switchblade knives shall apply to ballistic knives under [subsection (a)](#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.