Kansas is one of the most knife-friendly states in the country. Most people don’t realize just how much freedom the law gives you here. Whether you carry a pocket knife every day or collect blades as a hobby, this guide breaks it all down.
You’re going to want to read this carefully. There are a few rules that catch people off guard.
What Are Kansas Knife Laws?
Kansas knife laws govern what kinds of knives you can own, carry, and use. They also cover where you can and cannot bring a knife. Simple enough, right?
Kansas changed its knife laws dramatically in 2013. Before that, the rules were strict. After the changes, Kansas became one of the most open states for knife owners in the entire nation.
The Big Change: House Bill 2033
Stay with me here, because this part matters a lot.
In April 2013, Governor Sam Brownback signed House Bill 2033 into law. It took effect on July 1 of that year. The vote was overwhelming. The Senate passed it 40 to 0. The House voted 95 to 26 in favor.
That law basically rewrote the rules. It removed most knife restrictions from the books. Before 2013, switchblades were banned. Daggers were restricted. You couldn’t carry a concealed knife with a blade longer than four inches.
All of that changed with HB 2033. Kansas went from a restrictive state to one of the most permissive in the country. Pretty remarkable, honestly.
What Knives Are Legal in Kansas?
Okay, here’s the good news. Most knives are completely legal in Kansas.
You can own and carry switchblades. You can carry daggers, dirks, and stilettos. Bowie knives, machetes, gravity knives, balisongs, and even swords are all legal to own and carry. There is no blade length limit anywhere in Kansas state law.
Wondering if you can carry concealed? Yes, you can. Kansas law allows both open and concealed carry of any legal knife. The Kansas Attorney General confirmed this in Opinion 2014-01. You may carry a knife, hidden or visible, regardless of blade length. That applies to ordinary adults throughout the state.
What Knives Are Illegal in Kansas?
Now here’s where things get serious.
There are exactly two types of knives that are illegal in Kansas. These are throwing stars and ballistic knives. That’s it. Just those two.
A throwing star is defined by Kansas law as any metal plate with three or more sharp radiating points, designed as a throwing weapon. Think of the star-shaped weapons you see in action movies. Those are illegal to own, sell, or carry in Kansas.
A ballistic knife is a knife with a detachable blade that can be fired like a projectile. Also illegal. You cannot own one, sell one, or carry one.
Most people asking about this have never owned either item. So for most knife owners in Kansas, this rule basically doesn’t affect them at all.
No Blade Length Limit. Seriously.
This one surprises almost everyone. Kansas has zero statewide blade length limit.
Before 2013, if you wanted to carry a concealed knife, the blade had to be under four inches. That old rule is gone. Today, you can legally carry a 10-inch blade, concealed or open, and it’s perfectly within the law. Obviously, carrying a huge blade in public draws attention and could raise concerns about intent. But the law itself sets no size limit.
Makes sense why Kansas gets called a knife-friendly state, right?
The Intent Rule: This One Is Critical
Hold on. Read this carefully.
Kansas law does not ban most knives. But it does ban carrying any knife with the intent to use it unlawfully against another person. Under K.S.A. 21-6301, carrying a dangerous knife with intent to harm someone is a crime.
Think of it this way. Owning a steak knife is fine. Using it to threaten someone is not. The knife is not the problem. The intent is.
This is an important distinction. You are free to carry almost any knife you want. But the moment you carry it with the purpose of harming another person, you’ve broken the law.
Rules for Convicted Felons
This part is different. If you are a convicted felon, Kansas law treats you differently when it comes to knives.
Under K.S.A. 21-6304, convicted felons face restrictions on possessing certain knives. The law defines restricted knives to include daggers, dirks, switchblades, stilettos, and straight-edged razors. A convicted felon who possesses one of these can face serious criminal charges.
Here’s something worth noting. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that part of the felon-in-possession definition was unconstitutionally vague. This created some legal uncertainty. But the statute still exists on the books. If you are a convicted felon, talk to a lawyer before carrying any knife. This area of the law is genuinely complicated.
You’re not alone if this section confuses you. It confuses a lot of people, including legal professionals.
Knives at Schools and Government Buildings
Here’s where the freedom ends for everyone, felon or not.
You cannot bring a knife onto school property in Kansas. That applies to K-12 schools, and the rule is strictly enforced. Taking a knife to a school zone is a criminal offense. Don’t do it. Not even a pocket knife. Not even by accident.
Jails and juvenile detention facilities are also off-limits. You cannot bring a knife into either of those locations.
Certain government buildings may also have restrictions. Kansas law allowed government buildings to designate themselves as knife-free zones, but that designation had to be done before a 2013 deadline. So today, not all government buildings have those restrictions. It varies.
When in doubt, leave your knife in the car before entering any government facility.
Statewide Preemption: One Set of Rules for Everyone
This is honestly one of the best parts of Kansas knife law.
Kansas has a statewide preemption rule under K.S.A. 12-16,134. That means cities and counties cannot make their own knife rules. Wichita cannot ban switchblades. Topeka cannot restrict blade lengths. Kansas City cannot create its own carry rules.
The same law applies everywhere in Kansas. One set of rules for the entire state. No need to research local ordinances before you travel from one city to another. That simplicity is actually pretty rare.
Federal Knife Laws Still Apply
Wait, there’s more to know.
Kansas state law may be permissive, but federal law still applies. The Federal Switchblade Act restricts the shipment and mailing of switchblades across state lines. If you order a switchblade online, the seller and delivery method need to comply with federal rules.
This doesn’t affect most in-state purchases or carry. But if you’re buying knives from out of state, it’s worth knowing federal rules exist. Kansas law can’t override them.
Penalties for Breaking Kansas Knife Laws
Let’s talk about what happens if you break the rules.
Possessing a throwing star or ballistic knife is a criminal offense under K.S.A. 21-6301. You could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $600. There are no exceptions for collectors or hobbyists. If you own one of these items in Kansas, you are breaking the law.
Carrying a knife with intent to harm someone can lead to felony charges. That’s much more serious than a fine. A conviction can result in years behind bars and a permanent criminal record.
Think of knife violations as sitting somewhere between a traffic offense and a felony. The severity depends entirely on what you did and why. Simple possession of an illegal knife is one thing. Threatening someone with a legal knife is another. Both can land you in serious trouble.
How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law
Here’s what you need to do to stay legal in Kansas.
First, stick to legal knife types. Avoid throwing stars and ballistic knives entirely. Every other common knife is fine to own and carry.
Second, never bring a knife to school property. Not even a small one. The law is clear here and there are no exceptions.
Third, be aware of your intent. Carry your knife for lawful purposes. If law enforcement ever questions you, the reason you carry the knife matters.
Fourth, if you are a convicted felon, get legal advice before carrying any knife. The rules are complicated and the penalties for getting it wrong are severe.
Honestly, for most people in Kansas, staying legal is easy. You can carry almost anything, almost anywhere, as long as you have no harmful intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry a knife concealed in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas allows both open and concealed carry of any legal knife, with no blade length limit. The Kansas Attorney General confirmed this in 2014.
Are switchblades legal in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas legalized switchblades in 2013 under House Bill 2033. You can own, carry, buy, and sell them legally in Kansas.
Is there a blade length limit in Kansas?
No. Kansas has no statewide blade length restriction. You can carry any length blade, open or concealed.
Can I carry a knife on school property?
No. Bringing a knife onto school property is illegal in Kansas. This applies to K-12 schools, jails, and juvenile detention facilities.
Can a convicted felon own a knife in Kansas?
It depends on the knife type. Felons face restrictions on daggers, dirks, switchblades, stilettos, and similar blades under K.S.A. 21-6304. Consulting a lawyer is strongly recommended.
Are throwing stars legal in Kansas?
No. Throwing stars are specifically banned under Kansas law. Owning, selling, or carrying one is a criminal offense.
Do local cities have their own knife rules?
No. Kansas has statewide preemption, meaning cities and counties cannot create their own knife ordinances. State law covers the entire state uniformly.
Final Thoughts
Kansas is genuinely one of the easiest states to understand when it comes to knife laws. Most knives are legal. No blade length limit exists. You can carry openly or concealed. And local governments can’t add extra rules on top.
The main things to remember are simple. Avoid throwing stars and ballistic knives. Never take a knife to school. Don’t carry a knife intending to hurt someone. And if you’re a convicted felon, talk to a lawyer first.
Now you know the basics. Stay safe, stay legal, and when in doubt, ask a qualified attorney in Kansas.
References
- K.S.A. 21-6301 – Criminal Use of Weapons (Kansas Statutes)
- K.S.A. 21-6304 – Criminal Possession by a Convicted Felon (Kansas Statutes)
- K.S.A. 12-16,134 – Statewide Knife Preemption (Kansas Legislature)
- American Knife and Tool Institute – Kansas Knife Laws
- Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2014-01
- Urban EDC – Kansas Knife Laws (2026)
