Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: Items on the dangerous weapon list cannot be carried in a concealed manner (dagger, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, knife having a blade exceeding five inches in length). Schools: Schools are classified as weapons free zones. Knives should not be carried. Critical Dimensions: Any knife with a blade length exceeding five (5) inches is considered a “dangerous weapon.” Restricted Knives: Ballistic knives, which are classified as an “offensive weapon,” are forbidden.  It is a felony to simply possess or “own” a ballistic knife. Restrictions apply to any “dagger,” “razor,” “stiletto,” or “switchblade” as […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Minors: No knife restrictions. Critical Dimensions: Four inches or less legal blade length for a pocketknife which can be carried concealed. Restricted Knives: There are no forbidden or restricted knives under Missouri state law. Two categories of knives are recognized by Missouri state law. “Ordinary pocketknives” are folding knives having blades not longer than four inches. Ordinary pocketknives are largely unrestricted and may be carried concealed. Any other “bladed hand instrument” is a “knife” within the statutory definition at 571.010 (12). 12) “Knife,” any dagger, dirk, stiletto, or bladed hand instrument that is readily capable […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: Concealment is a factor. The law prohibits the concealed carry of certain knives. Schools: Knives are prohibited on all schools. Critical Dimensions: None noted. Restricted Knives: There are no knives that may not be lawfully owned or possessed in Oregon. The basic restrictions pertaining to the carry of knives in Oregon are covered in 166.240. It prohibits the concealed carry of any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring, or by centrifugal force and any dirk, dagger, or ice pick. The restriction has been interpreted as […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: Yes. Concealed Carry: There is no general restriction as to unconcealed or openly carried knives. Critical Dimensions: None. Restricted Knives: There are no restricted or prohibited knives. Wyoming law provides that it is an offense to wear or carry a “concealed deadly weapon” unless one possesses a valid weapon permit or is otherwise eligible to hold a weapon permit. In general, persons at least 21 and not convicted of a violent crime or drug offense are eligible. The statutory definition of a “deadly weapon” does not mention knives but does include an instrument “which in […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: Washington law provides that it is a crime to “furtively carry . . . with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon.” Schools: Knives and other dangerous weapons prohibited on school grounds. Critical Dimensions: None noted. Restricted Knives: Spring blade knives, daggers, dirks. It is a gross misdemeanor to furtively carry with the intent to conceal any “dagger“, dirk”,  or “other dangerous weapon”. There is a circumstance of possession element to “other dangerous weapon” such that it can include, for instance, a paring knife with a three-inch blade. […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: Yes. Concealed Carry: Not an issue. Critical Dimensions: None. Restricted Knives: There are no restricted knives under Kansas state law. A person may carry a knife, concealed or unconcealed, regardless of the length of the blade. Relevant Statutes: 21-6301. Criminal use of weapons 21-6302.Criminal carrying of a weapon (does not apply to knives) 21-6304.Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (also applies to knives) 12-16.134. Knives and knife making components; regulation by municipality, limitations Statewide Preemption: Yes. 12-16.134. The legislation which causes the changes to sections 21-6301 and 21-6302 preemption of knife law but […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: The concealed carry of certain knives is prohibited. Schools: Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons is prohibited at certain public events and gatherings, as well as schools and school functions. Critical Dimensions: Five inches or more – length of a knife blade considered a “dangerous weapon.” Restricted Knives: There are no prohibited knives. The North Dakota statutes which apply to the carry and possession of knives are found in Title 62.1, captioned “Weapons”. Knives which are “dangerous weapons” cannot be carried concealed unless the individual has a North Dakota concealed firearm and […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: None. Concealed Carry: Not an issue. Schools: Schools are weapons free zones. Major Cities with Knife Ordinances: Yes. Critical Dimensions: None. Restricted Knives: “Switchblade” knives are forbidden. The Minnesota law concerning the possession and carry of knives is contained in 609.66 captioned “Dangerous Weapons”. The only reference to knives is found in Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, (4) which provides that it is an offense to manufacture, transfer, or possess a “switchblade knife opening automatically”.  Given the rule of interpretation or construction that the express mention of one item, excludes all others – […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: None. Concealed Carry: Concealment is not a factor. Unlawful intent is a factor. Schools: Deadly weapons may not be carried in publicly-owned buildings and/or facilities. Critical Dimensions: Three inches or longer-blade length if having intent to use it unlawfully. Restricted knives: There are no restricted or forbidden knives under Arkansas law. Arkansas law provides that it is an offense to carry a “knife” on the person, in a vehicle, “or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the . . . knife . . . as a weapon against […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: Intentional concealment of automatic knives is prohibited. Minors: No restrictions. Schools: Knives may not be carried on school property including schools buses or at school functions. Major Cities with Knife Ordinances: Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport Restricted Knives: None. Louisiana law prohibits “the intentional concealment on one’s person of any ‘switchblade knife’ ”. 14:95 This prohibition does not apply to assisted opening, gravity, or other one-hand openable knives. Relevant Statutes: 14:94. Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities 14:95. Illegal carrying of weapons 14:95.1. Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: Yes. Concealed Carry: It is a violation to carry concealed any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife and/or switchblade knife with some exceptions. Minors: Minors may not carry or possess deadly weapons. Schools: Weapons are not permitted on “educational property”. Critical Dimensions: None. Restricted Knives: No knife types are generally forbidden in Mississippi. It is unlawful for parents to knowingly allow minor children to possess or carry a Bowie knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, or dirk; or for anyone to provide such a knife to a minor or intoxicated person. It is unlawful for a […]

Quick Legal Facts Statewide Preemption: No. Concealed Carry: Not an issue. Schools: Illinois schools are considered weapon free zones. It is a crime to possess a knife on school property. Major Cities with Knife Ordinances: Chicago Restricted Knives: Switchblade knife, ballistic knife The Illinois body of law regarding the possession and carry of knives is confusing due to a dubious 720 ILCS 5/21-6, Unauthorized Possession or Storage of Weapons which overlays 720 ILCS 5/21-6, Unlawful use of Weapon (UUW)statute. 720 ILCS 5/24-1, the UUW law provides that switchblade knives and ballistic knives are forbidden. Possession of a valid Firearms Owners Identification Act […]