Kansas maintains some of the most permissive knife laws in the U.S., allowing broad ownership and carry rights for residents and visitors alike. Changes in 2013 significantly liberalized restrictions, legalizing switchblades and other once-banned blades while preempting local regulations.
Legal Knives
Kansas defines a knife broadly as any cutting instrument with a sharpened or pointed blade, with no statewide bans on types like switchblades, daggers, dirks, balisongs, or gravity knives.
Exceptions include metal knuckles, throwing stars, and ballistic knives, which remain illegal to possess regardless of intent. Blade length faces no restrictions under state law.
Open Carry
Open carry of any knife is fully legal everywhere except prohibited locations like schools, jails, and courthouses. State preemption (K.S.A. 12-16,134) prevents cities or counties from imposing stricter rules, making Kansas uniform across jurisdictions.
Concealed Carry
Since 2013 reforms to K.S.A. 21-6301 and 21-6302, concealed carry of knives—including automatics and those over 4 inches—is permitted without a permit.
The key prohibition is using or possessing with unlawful intent against another person, not mere concealment.
Prohibited Locations
Knives are banned in:
- Schools and school grounds (K.S.A. 72-5301 exceptions apply only to peace officers).
- Jails, prisons, and detention facilities.
- Courthouses and polling places during elections.
Federal buildings and airports follow national rules.
Felon Restrictions
Convicted felons cannot possess knives under K.S.A. 21-6304, which equates them to firearms for this purpose—covering daggers, dirks, switchblades, stilettos, and straight-edged razors.
A 2020 court ruling found parts of this statute unconstitutionally vague, but core restrictions hold.
Sale and Manufacturing
No limits on selling, buying, or making knives, including automatics, since 2013 lifted prior bans. Online and in-state commerce is unrestricted.
Key Statutes Table
| Statute | Key Provision | Effective Since |
|---|---|---|
| K.S.A. 21-6301 | Bans unlawful use/possession of weapons; no knife-specific carry bans | 2013 |
| K.S.A. 21-6304 | Felons barred from knives/firearms | Ongoing |
| K.S.A. 12-16,134 | State preemption over local knife laws | 2013 |
Practical Advice
Always prioritize lawful intent—courts focus on context like threats or brandishing. Kansas ranks highly permissive nationally, but verify updates via the Kansas Legislature site, as no major changes appear post-2025. For reciprocity or travel, note neighboring states like Missouri have tighter rules on concealed automatics.
SOURCES:
- https://www.ksal.com/new-kansas-law-legalizes-more-kinds-of-knives/
- https://kniferights.org/legislative-update/kansas-knife-statute-held-unconstitutionally-vague/
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/kansas-knife-laws/
