Kansas has some of the most permissive knife laws in the United States, including for pocket knives. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape as of 2025:
General Legality
- All types of knives, including pocket knives, are legal to own, carry, buy, sell, and transfer in Kansas, regardless of blade length.
- There are no restrictions on blade length for carrying knives, either openly or concealed.
- Switchblades, butterfly knives (balisongs), gravity knives, and disguised knives are all legal.
Concealed and Open Carry
- Both open and concealed carry of knives, including pocket knives, are permitted statewide without blade length restrictions.
- The law focuses on the intent behind carrying a knife-carrying with intent to use unlawfully against another person is illegal.
Statewide Preemption
- Kansas law preempts local (city or county) knife regulations, meaning municipalities cannot impose stricter knife laws than the state.
- This ensures uniformity: the same knife laws apply everywhere in Kansas, and local ordinances more restrictive than state law are void.
Restricted Locations
Despite the broad legality, there are important location-based restrictions:
- Schools: Carrying any knife, including pocket knives, on school grounds or at school events is strictly prohibited.
- Government Buildings: Carrying knives is generally not allowed in government buildings.
- Jails and Juvenile Facilities: These are also off-limits for knives.
Illegal Knives and Devices
- Throwing stars and ballistic knives are illegal to own, carry, or sell in Kansas.
- Metal knuckles (brass knuckles), blackjacks, and similar weapons are also prohibited.
Restrictions for Convicted Felons
- Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing knives defined as dangerous or deadly (including daggers, dirks, stilettos, switchblades, and similar).
- The Kansas Supreme Court has found the statutory definition of “knife” in this context to be unconstitutionally vague, leading to legal uncertainty in some cases.
Age Restrictions
- There are no state-imposed age restrictions on the possession or carrying of legal knives, including pocket knives.
Summary Table: Kansas Pocket Knife Laws
| Aspect | Status in Kansas |
|---|---|
| Legal to own/carry | Yes, no blade length limit |
| Open carry | Permitted statewide |
| Concealed carry | Permitted statewide |
| Local regulation | Preempted by state law |
| Restricted locations | Schools, government buildings, jails |
| Illegal knives | Throwing stars, ballistic knives |
| Felon restrictions | Yes, but definition is vague |
| Age restrictions | None |
Key Takeaways
- Pocket knives are broadly legal in Kansas, with no blade length or carry restrictions for law-abiding adults.
- The law is uniform statewide, but knives are banned in schools, government buildings, and correctional facilities.
- Throwing stars, ballistic knives, and metal knuckles are illegal.
- Convicted felons face restrictions, but recent court decisions have challenged the clarity of these laws.
Kansas residents and visitors can generally carry pocket knives with confidence, provided they avoid restricted locations and do not carry with unlawful intent.
Sources:
- https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/kansas/
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/kansas-knife-laws/
- https://edc.ninja/kansas-knife-laws/
- https://www.seneca-kansas.us/kansas-knife-laws/
- https://knifeade.com/kansas-knife-law/
