West Virginia maintains some of the most permissive knife laws in the U.S., allowing adults over 21 to own, openly carry, and conceal most knives without restrictions. State preemption since 2020 ensures uniform rules statewide, overriding local bans, under W. Va. Code § 61-7-2, which defines knives broadly but imposes few limits.
Ownership Rights
All knives are legal to own, including switchblades, gravity knives, daggers, dirks, and stilettos—even those exceeding 3.5 inches. No registration or permits required for possession at home or in vehicles. Prohibited persons (felons, domestic violence convicts) face bans on deadly weapons, including knives, per § 61-7-7. Minors under 18 cannot possess deadly weapons unless emancipated.
Carry Permissions
Open carry is unrestricted for any knife in plain view, like a belt sheath. Adults 21+ enjoy concealed carry rights for all types, including automatics and large fixed blades, as long as not brandished threateningly (§ 61-7-11). Those 18-20 may conceal folders or blades ≤3.5 inches; longer blades must stay open. No intent to harm voids defenses.
Restricted Locations
Knives qualify as deadly weapons, banned on school grounds (§ 61-7-11a)—even pocket knives under 3.5 inches—and court facilities. Federal buildings, airports, and bars serving alcohol follow national rules. Workplace or event policies may add limits; check privately owned sites.
| Knife Type | Open Carry | Concealed Carry (21+) | School/Court Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Knife ≤3.5″ | Yes | Yes | No |
| Switchblade/Automatic | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dirk/Dagger >3.5″ | Yes | Yes | No |
| Butterfly/Gravity | Yes | Yes | No |
Sales and Transfers
No age minimum specified beyond prohibited persons; sellers cannot knowingly arm felons (§ 61-7-10). Street-side displays banned to curb impulse sales. Online or gun shows thrive unrestricted.
Penalties for Violations
Misdemeanor possession by prohibited persons carries $100-$1,000 fines and up to 12 months jail (§ 61-7-3). Brandishing or school carry escalates to felonies with 1-5 years. Courts assess context—self-defense justifies use.
Practical Guidance
EDC folders or fixed blades freely; holster large ones visibly if under 21. Hunters and campers face no extra rules beyond game laws. Post-2020 preemption killed municipal patchwork, like past Charleston restrictions. Stay updated via wvlegislature.gov; Knife Rights advocacy ensures stability.
SOURCES:
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/west-virginia-knife-laws/
- https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/west-virginia/
