Knife Law Guides for All 50 States. Choose Your State.

[Don Ro]

General Guide to Knife Laws - -

Knife laws can be divided into these two categories: ownership laws and carry laws.
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US Knife Laws | KnifeUp

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Good info.

[Mark Henry]

Canada Laws

I'm no authority on Canadian knife law and I could be wrong and assume no liability, so it's your responsibility to check the law, but I believe below is correct to my understanding.

In Canada knives are a huge grey area, left largely up to a cops discretion.

Knifes bigger than pocket knifes must be open carry and in a sheath. Exception is in a case/bag not within easy access.

I can open carry a Katana to a martial arts class, but go running around with one like a ninja and you'll end up in jail.
If you have a machete on your belt in town you stand a good chance of being hassled, but in the country they wouldn't even bat an eye.
Some citizens go weirdly over a buck knife on your belt (in sheath) but it's perfectly legal. A 6"blade buck knife they won't even give it a 2nd look.
That said if you have a Crocodile Dundee knife on your belt the cops will likely give you grief.

But if a cop decides to take your knife, for any piss-poor reason, good luck getting it back.

It is illegal to own a pilum ballistic knife
It is illegal to own a metal knuckle knife
It is illegal to own a cane sword
It is illegal to own a butterfly knife
It is illegal to own a switchblade knife, But spring assisted and spring locking is OK
A gravity knife must be spring locking.

I do not know how the laws apply to non-Canadian citizens. Again it is your responsibility to check local laws.

[GH85Carrera]

My dad was and Air Force pilot. Like all the pilots he had to go through survival training. He kept the orange handle switch blade with one end a knife and one end hooked for cutting parachute cord. My brother and I always wanted to play with it but like all mean parents he would not let us play with a cool switchblade.

In later years after retirement they had a vegetable garden. My mom used that switchblade to go cut Okra, Tomatoes, Squash and the other veggies. It was just strange to see a grey haired grandma with a basket of veggies, and her switchblade.

In the end my brother has the switchblade now.

[911boost]

That is a cool story Glen. My dad and his dad were both in the Navy (Grandfather was an academy grad, class of '43) and I remember the orange handled knife, my dad still has his as well. Along with a number of other ones from both of their service time.

Bill

[M.D. Holloway]

Interesting that only gravity knives are illegal in Tejas.

[A930Rocket]

I've got several automatics.

I asked a cop friend about them and he said he was more worried about a gun. Only a new cop would probably give me a hard time about it.

[stealthn]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

Canada Laws

I'm no authority on Canadian knife law and I could be wrong and assume no liability, so it's your responsibility to check the law, but I believe below is correct to my understanding.

In Canada knives are a huge grey area, left largely up to a cops discretion.

Knifes bigger than pocket knifes must be open carry and in a sheath. Exception is in a case/bag not within easy access.

I can open carry a Katana to a martial arts class, but go running around with one like a ninja and you'll end up in jail.
If you have a machete on your belt in town you stand a good chance of being hassled, but in the country they wouldn't even bat an eye.
Some citizens go weirdly over a buck knife on your belt (in sheath) but it's perfectly legal. A 6"blade buck knife they won't even give it a 2nd look.
That said if you have a Crocodile Dundee knife on your belt the cops will likely give you grief.

But if a cop decides to take your knife, for any piss-poor reason, good luck getting it back.

It is illegal to own a pilum ballistic knife
It is illegal to own a metal knuckle knife
It is illegal to own a cane sword
It is illegal to own a butterfly knife
It is illegal to own a switchblade knife, But spring assisted and spring locking is OK
A gravity knife must be spring locking.

I do not know how the laws apply to non-Canadian citizens. Again it is your responsibility to check local laws.

I asked a cop about knives and his comment (here) was they must be concealed which struck me as stupid. So if it's visible (i.e. in a sheath) it's not permitted....strange

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I asked a cop about knives and his comment (here) was they must be concealed which struck me as stupid. So if it's visible (i.e. in a sheath) it's not permitted....strange

About as strange as some state's gun laws, eh?

[Arizona 911]

Living in Arizona it says that I'm in the coolest state in America for owning a knife. Any type of knife in any length as long as your over 21.

[Rick Lee]

The law in AZ for any kind of weapon is if you can legally own it, you can legally carry it - no permit needed. I think the only weapon that's illegal to own here is a gun with the serial number filed off.

[jyl]

According to that, in Oregon I can own a switchblade, butterfly, ballistic, dirk, stiletto, or any kind of knife. No restrictions at all on ownership. And I can carry any of those openly. But I cannot carry concealed a butterfly, dirk, gravity - but I may carry concealed a switchblade (court decision). Cool, since of all those types, I only own a switchblade.

[Noah930]

I don't see how you Arizonians don't wind up killing and maiming each other left and right with the weapons laws you have.

Interesting that in California, most knives are legal...except in LA. Then nothing bigger than a Swiss Army knife seems to be legal. Sheesh.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I asked a cop about knives and his comment (here) was they must be concealed which struck me as stupid. So if it's visible (i.e. in a sheath) it's not permitted....strange

In Canada it is about intent.

If it is a weapon (the intended [stated] use is defence), then the knife is a weapon and subject to blade length rules.

If it is a tool (leatherman, filleting knife, skinning knife, box cutter, the knives I keep in my tractor for cutting baler twine, knife bor back porch widdlin', machete for clearing brush) you are good and can carry it on your belt, key chain, pocket, whatever.

It's like the hoodlums that carry around a baseball bat in their cars without a ball glove - that is looking for trouble...

[unclebilly]

From the criminal code:

prohibited weapon means

(a) a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife, or

(b) any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a prohibited weapon; (arme prohibée)

And...

Possession Offences

Marginal note:Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

88 (1) Every person commits an offence who carries or possesses a weapon, an imitation of a weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or for the purpose of committing an offence.

Marginal note:Punishment

(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1)

(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or

(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 88; 1995, c. 39, s. 139.
Marginal note:Carrying weapon while attending public meeting

89 (1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, carries a weapon, a prohibited device or any ammunition or prohibited ammunition while the person is attending or is on the way to attend a public meeting.

So the key is, make sure what your carrying is not a prohibited weapon as defined in the criminal code and make sure that you intend to use it as a tool, not defence if asked why you have it.

Don't bring a machete or a katana to a public meeting....

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Noah930

I don't see how you Arizonians don't wind up killing and maiming each other left and right with the weapons laws you have.

.

This, there should be mass shooting and stabbings. What is wrong with you people!

Oh wait, the potential victims are armed. Never mind.