Kansas generally allows a person to own and carry a knife openly or concealed regardless of blade length. In 2013, Kansas removed its prior restrictions on several knife types, and the Kansas Attorney General later stated that a person may carry a knife concealed or unconcealed regardless of blade length. [1]
Kansas does not impose a general statewide blade-length limit for ordinary adult knife carry. That does not override school rules, secure-facility restrictions, criminal-use laws, or private-property policies.
What knives may you own in Kansas?
Kansas does not impose a general state ban on adult ownership of common folders, fixed blades, automatic knives, OTF knives, dirks, daggers, stilettos, or balisongs. Current § 21-6301 no longer lists ordinary knives among the weapons whose mere possession is generally prohibited. [1]
A projectile or ballistic knife, firearm-combination device, or item falling into another regulated category may require different analysis. Criminal use, threatening conduct, and prohibited-person rules also remain separate issues.
May you carry a knife openly or concealed?
The official annotations to § 21-6301 cite Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2014-1 for the conclusion that a person may carry a knife concealed or unconcealed regardless of blade length. [1]
Section 21-6302 still prohibits concealed carry of certain named impact weapons and other dangerous or deadly weapons “of like character,” but Kansas’ knife-specific legislative history and Attorney General guidance support lawful knife carry. Do not use a knife to threaten another person or during an unlawful act. [2]
Are automatic knives and switchblades legal?
Kansas removed its former categorical restrictions on switchblades and other named knives in 2013. Automatic knives are therefore not generally prohibited merely because of their opening mechanism.
Federal commerce and shipping rules may still apply. School discipline statutes also use a switchblade-inclusive weapon definition, so lawful adult carry in public does not mean a student may bring one to school.
Does Kansas preempt local knife ordinances?
Yes. K.S.A. 12-16,134 broadly prohibits municipalities from regulating the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, licensing, registration, or use of knives and knife-making components. It defines “knife” as a cutting instrument, including a sharpened or pointed blade. [3]
The statute excludes unified school districts, jails, and juvenile correctional facilities from its definition of municipality and contains other limits. State law, secure-facility rules, school policies, and private-property rights still apply.
What rules apply at schools?
Kansas requires school boards to adopt weapon policies and provides for expulsion when a pupil possesses a covered weapon at school, on school property, or at a school-supervised activity, subject to school-approved courses and written authorization. The statutory definition includes switchblades, gravity knives, and throwing stars. [4] [5]
Other school and special-education rules can use different definitions, including treatment of pocketknives based on blade length. Practical rule: do not take any knife to a school, school bus, or school activity without clear written authorization.
What workplace and government-building rules matter?
State agencies may regulate employee conduct and, according to an Attorney General opinion noted in K.S.A. 75-7c20, may prohibit employees from carrying a knife with a blade over four inches while performing work duties. This is not a general public blade limit. [6]
Courts, correctional facilities, restricted-access buildings, employers, and private property may use security rules of their own. Comply with screening and posted conditions of entry.
What vehicle and air-travel rules apply?
Kansas does not impose a general requirement that a lawful adult knife be locked in a vehicle trunk. For safe transport, keep it closed or sheathed and secured against movement. Another state’s law applies after crossing the border.
The Transportation Security Administration prohibits knives in carry-on baggage except for plastic or round-bladed butter knives. Checked-baggage and airline requirements still apply. [7]
What should you verify before carrying?
- Whether the item is a conventional knife or falls into another specially regulated weapon category.
- Whether the destination is a school, jail, correctional facility, courthouse, or restricted-access building.
- Whether an employer or agency has a workplace blade-length rule.
- Whether a private property owner or venue prohibits knives.
- The law of every other jurisdiction on the travel route.
Conclusion
Kansas generally allows adults to own and carry knives openly or concealed without a statewide blade-length limit. It also broadly preempts municipal knife regulation. The major cautions are schools, jails and correctional facilities, workplace and secure-building rules, criminal conduct, federal law, and private property.
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Knife laws and their interpretation can change and may depend on the item, carrier, purpose, location, employment rules, and conduct. Verify current law through official sources or consult a qualified Kansas attorney about a specific situation.
Sources & References
- [1] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 21-6301. Criminal use of weapons and official annotation citing knife-carry guidance.
- [2] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 21-6302. Criminal carrying of specified weapons and statutory exceptions.
- [3] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 12-16,134. State preemption of municipal knife regulation and statutory definitions.
- [4] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 72-6132. Required school weapon policies, expulsion, referral, and authorized-activity exception.
- [5] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 72-6135. School-policy weapon definitions, including switchblades and gravity knives.
- [6] Kansas Statutes Annotated § 75-7c20. Public-building rules and annotation concerning state-employee knife restrictions.
- [7] Transportation Security Administration — Knives. Federal carry-on and checked-baggage guidance.
