No, butterfly knives (balisongs) are prohibited under Saudi Arabia’s 2020 Weapons and Ammunition Law, enforced by the Ministry of Interior. Possession without a military or security exemption risks confiscation, fines up to SAR 50,000, or imprisonment. The 2026 National Security Strategy further tightens blade restrictions, classifying balisongs as “dangerous tools.”
Key Regulations for Butterfly Knives (Balisongs) in Saudi Arabia
- Absolute Ban: Decree No. 142/2020 explicitly lists balisongs as prohibited weapons, alongside switchblades and disguised blades.
- Enforcement by MOI: The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control and Border Guards conduct routine inspections, including at airports and malls.
- Penalties: Violations trigger Article 28 of the law, mandating fines and potential criminal charges under the Penal Code for “threatening public safety.”
Local jurisprudence confirms judicial interpretation aligns with the law’s strict liability approach—intent to possess is irrelevant if the knife is unlicensed. Exemptions require prior approval from the Royal Saudi Land Forces or Ministry of Defense, reserved for military personnel. Retailers face closure under the 2024 Commercial Violations Law for selling such items.