Idaho is recognized for its permissive approach to knife ownership and carry, but there are important restrictions and nuances every resident and visitor should understand. Here’s a comprehensive overview of your knife rights in Idaho as of 2025.
General Knife Ownership and Carry
- Ownership: Idaho law does not prohibit the ownership or purchase of any specific type of knife. All common knives—including switchblades, balisongs, dirks, daggers, bowie knives, and even swords—are legal to own.
- Open Carry: There are no statewide restrictions on the open carry of knives, regardless of blade length or type. Any adult who is not otherwise disqualified (such as felons or those under certain protection orders) may openly carry any knife in public.
Concealed Carry Laws
- Definition: Concealed carry means carrying a knife in a way that is not discernible by ordinary observation.
- Blade Length Restrictions:
- Knives with blades 4 inches or less are generally excluded from the definition of “deadly weapon” and may be carried concealed without a permit.
- Concealed carry of knives with blades longer than 4 inches (such as dirks, daggers, or bowie knives) typically requires a concealed weapons license (CWL), unless you are in your own home, place of business, or on property you own or have permission to be on.
- Outside city limits, adults over 18 who are not otherwise prohibited may carry concealed deadly weapons without a permit.
- “Constitutional Carry”: Idaho allows “constitutional carry,” meaning most law-abiding adults can carry concealed deadly weapons—including knives—without a permit in most circumstances.
Critical Locations and Restrictions
- Schools (K-12):
- It is illegal to possess most knives on school property. Only pocketknives with blades less than 2.5 inches are allowed on school grounds or school buses.
- Violation can result in fines and criminal charges.
- Courthouses, Jails, Detention Facilities: Concealed knives with blades longer than 6 inches are prohibited in these locations.
- Other Restricted Areas: Government buildings, prisons, and nuclear power plants may have their own prohibitions.
Statewide Preemption
- Uniform Laws: Idaho enforces statewide preemption for knife laws, meaning local governments cannot enact their own knife regulations that conflict with state law. This ensures consistency across the state and nullifies any conflicting local ordinances.
- Recent Update: As of July 1, 2024, HB 620 further strengthened statewide preemption, making most local knife restrictions void.
Sale and Transfer Restrictions
- Minors: It is a misdemeanor to sell certain knives (dirks, bowie knives, daggers) to minors. Minors under 18 may carry pocketknives, but carrying larger or more dangerous knives requires parental permission and is subject to age restrictions.
Intent and Use
- Lawful Use: Simply carrying a knife is legal, but using or carrying a knife with the intent to harm or to commit a crime is illegal and can result in severe penalties.
- Threatening Behavior: Displaying or using a knife in a threatening manner can lead to charges of assault, brandishing, or other crimes.
Table: Idaho Knife Rights
| Aspect | Legal Status/Requirement |
|---|---|
| Knife ownership | Legal for all types |
| Open carry | Legal for all knives |
| Concealed carry (≤4″ blade) | Legal, no permit needed |
| Concealed carry (>4″ blade) | Permit required (with exceptions) |
| Schools (K-12) | Only pocketknives <2.5″ allowed |
| Statewide preemption | Yes, local laws cannot override state law |
| Sale to minors | Restricted for certain knife types |
| Use/intent | Illegal if used/threatened unlawfully |
Idaho offers broad rights to knife owners and carriers, with few restrictions compared to other states. Open carry is legal for all knives, and “constitutional carry” allows most adults to conceal knives without a permit, except in certain locations or for certain blade lengths.
Statewide preemption ensures uniformity, but always be cautious about schools, government buildings, and intent of use. For minors and those with criminal backgrounds, additional restrictions apply. When in doubt, consult Idaho statutes or a legal professional to ensure compliance with the latest laws.
SOURCES:-
[1] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/idaho/
[2] https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/idaho-knife-laws/
[3] https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/idaho/
[4] https://edc.ninja/idaho-knife-laws/
[5] https://www.idahosheriffs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Idaho-CWL-Law-at-a-Glance-2020.pdf
