Kansas has some of the most permissive knife laws in the United States, especially regarding pocket knives. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what’s legal and what’s restricted:
General Legality
- Ownership and Carry: You may legally own and carry any type of knife, including pocket knives, both openly and concealed, regardless of blade length.
- No Blade Length Limit: Kansas law does not impose any restrictions on the length of the blade for pocket knives or other knives.
- No Category Bans: There are no specific categories of knives (such as switchblades, butterfly knives, or gravity knives) that are banned for general ownership or carry, except for throwing stars and ballistic knives, which remain illegal.
Concealed and Open Carry
- Concealed Carry: Concealed carry of knives, including pocket knives, is legal. The previous restriction on blades longer than four inches was removed in 2013.
- Open Carry: Open carry of any legal knife, including pocket knives, is permitted without restriction.
Location-Based Restrictions
While Kansas is permissive about knife carry, there are important location-based restrictions:
- Schools: It is illegal to carry any knife, including pocket knives, on school grounds or at educational institutions.
- Government Buildings: Carrying knives is generally prohibited in government buildings and certain public places.
- Other Restricted Areas: Private property owners and public transport authorities may set their own rules regarding knives.
Restrictions for Convicted Felons
- Felon Prohibition: Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing knives defined as “dangerous or deadly cutting instruments,” which includes pocket knives. However, the statutory definition of a knife has been challenged as unconstitutionally vague, leading to legal uncertainty in enforcement.
Municipal Preemption
- Statewide Preemption: Kansas law preempts local governments from enacting their own knife regulations, ensuring uniformity across the state.
Summary Table: Pocket Knife Laws in Kansas
| Aspect | Legal Status in Kansas |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Legal for all (except some restrictions for felons) |
| Open Carry | Legal, no blade length limit |
| Concealed Carry | Legal, no blade length limit |
| Age Restrictions | None for legal knives |
| Restricted Locations | Schools, government buildings, some public/private areas |
| Felon Possession | Prohibited, but definition is legally contested |
| Municipal Regulation | Preempted by state law |
| Throwing stars/ballistic knives | Illegal |
Key Takeaways
- Pocket knives are legal to own and carry (openly or concealed) in Kansas, with no blade length restrictions.
- Do not carry knives in schools, government buildings, or other restricted locations.
- Convicted felons face restrictions, but the law’s clarity is currently under legal scrutiny.
- Local governments cannot create stricter knife laws than the state.
Kansas residents and visitors can generally carry pocket knives freely, but should remain aware of location-based restrictions and the special rules that apply to convicted felons.
Sources:
- https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/kansas/
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/kansas-knife-laws/
- https://www.seneca-kansas.us/kansas-knife-laws/
- https://edc.ninja/kansas-knife-laws/