To them they're like some rare African Tree Toad. Which is, you can pretty much *own* any one you want. BUT! Don't dare carry it outside your house unless it meets 739 odd 'carry qualifications' they dreamed up on their way to work. Because if you do get caught in 'violation' you may as well be carrying a loaded gun. Or a rare African Tree Toad.
I'm series'. In Illinois all the 'knife laws' are included in the Firearms Regulations (laws).
But the biggest joke is the law against 'Automatic Knives' (Switchblades)(1). Even though there's been a Federal Law against them since about 1954 (thank you James Dean and Marlon Brando) every state also 'bans them' (hold the laughter down please). Yet everyone and their brother can pretty much *legally* buy (and carry) one.
(1) The joke is Switchblades are normally treated as a local violation even though they're supposed to be Felonies AND a Federal Crime to boot. So you pay $75.00 to the nice Judge, oops, Bailiff, lose the knife, and go home --- then buy another Switchblade online.
I'm almost 63 and have been carrying a knife since I got my first 'Official Boy Scout Knife' when I was about six. And I wasn't alone, we all had a Boy Scout Knife in our pocket (heck, you can't play Mumbletypeg without one, right?).
This included all though High School to today.(yes Frances, that was a knife in my pocket). I can't go anywhere without at least my Swiss Army Knife on me. And I DO feel naked if I leave my Boot Knife at home. It's almost like not having underwear on :-)
an aside: One reason I like NCIS is Gibbs' Rule #9: Don't go anywhere without a knife.
There are at least seven states that do not ban them. I think New Hampshire is the eighth. They are perfectly legal in Arizona. Others of the seven or eight states that do not ban them may have local restrictions, but I know that New Hampshire has a law on the way through their legislature that would eliminate the local laws, much as Arizona has.