Hawaii § 134-52 - Switchblade knives; prohibitions; penalty.
Full text of Hawaii Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-52 — Switchblade knives; prohibitions; penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 134-52. Switchblade knives; prohibitions; penalty.
(a) Whoever knowingly carries concealed on the person, or in a bag or other container carried by the person, any switchblade knife shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (b) Whoever knowingly possesses or intentionally uses or threatens to use a switchblade knife while engaged in the commission of a separate felony or misdemeanor shall be guilty of a class C felony; provided that a person shall not be prosecuted under this subsection when the separate felony or misdemeanor is an offense otherwise defined by this chapter. (c) A conviction and sentence under subsection (b) shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any conviction and sentence for the separate felony or misdemeanor; provided that the sentence imposed under subsection (b) may run concurrently or consecutively with the sentence for the separate felony or misdemeanor. (d) It shall be a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) that the person was lawfully present in the person's own home at the time of the offense. (e) For the purposes of this section, "switchblade knife" means any knife having a blade that opens automatically by: (1) Hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife; or (2) Operation of inertia, gravity, or both. [L 1959, c 225, §1; Supp, §264-9; HRS §769-1; ren L 1972, c 9, pt of §1; am L 1990, c 195, §4; am L 2024, c 21, §5] Case Notes A butterfly knife is not a switchblade knife. 73 H. 89, 828 P.2d 272 (1992). Previous Vol03_Ch0121-0200D Next
Source: official Hawaii text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii § 134-52
What does Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-52 cover?
Section 134-52 ("Switchblade knives; prohibitions; penalty.") is part of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Hawaii. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Hawaii § 134-52?
A common citation format is "Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-52" (Hawaii). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Hawaii law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Hawaii official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Hawaii attorney.
How does Hawaii § 134-52 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Hawaii can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Hawaii.