Nevada generally allows adults to own common knives, including automatic knives, but concealed carry requires care. State law prohibits carrying a machete or another dangerous or deadly weapon concealed on the person without the applicable legal authority, and a county sheriff may issue a permit for a specifically described non-firearm concealed weapon. [1]
Nevada does not use one universal blade-length limit for all adult knife ownership or carry. Knife type, concealment, location, local ordinance, and conduct matter.
What knives may you own in Nevada?
Nevada does not impose a general state ban on adult ownership of ordinary pocketknives, fixed blades, switchblades, automatic knives, OTF knives, or balisongs. The current text of NRS 202.350 no longer lists switchblades or belt-buckle knives among the weapons generally prohibited to possess. [1]
Ownership does not authorize concealed carry of a dangerous or deadly weapon, possession at a school or child-care facility, threatening display, or violation of local and private rules.
May you openly carry a knife?
Nevada’s primary statewide carry restriction in NRS 202.350 concerns concealed weapons. It does not create a general state ban on openly carrying every lawful knife.
NRS 202.320 separately prohibits drawing or exhibiting a dirk, dirk-knife, sword, sword cane, or other deadly weapon in a rude, angry, or threatening manner in the presence of two or more people, except in necessary self-defense. [1]
May you carry a knife concealed?
NRS 202.350 prohibits carrying concealed on the person a machete or another dangerous or deadly weapon without legal authority. A weapon is concealed when it is carried so that it is not discernible by ordinary observation. [1]
A small conventional pocketknife is not automatically a dangerous or deadly weapon in every situation, but dirks, daggers, large fixed blades, weapon-oriented designs, and conduct suggesting use as a weapon can create substantial risk. Do not rely only on the product’s marketing name.
Can a sheriff issue a permit for a concealed knife?
NRS 202.350 allows a county sheriff, upon written application by a county resident showing the reason or purpose, to issue a permit authorizing the person to carry the non-firearm concealed weapon described in the permit. The statute’s ordinary concealed-firearm permit system is separate. [1]
Contact the sheriff directly for the current application process. Do not assume that a firearm permit automatically covers every knife.
Are switchblades and automatic knives prohibited?
Nevada removed its former general switchblade prohibition in 2015. Automatic knives are not prohibited merely because they open automatically. However, NRS 202.265 still specifically prohibits a switchblade knife, dirk, or dagger on covered school, higher-education, child-care, and school-vehicle property, subject to exceptions. [1]
What rules apply at schools and child-care facilities?
NRS 202.265 prohibits carrying or possessing a dirk, dagger, or switchblade knife on property of the Nevada System of Higher Education, a public or private school, or a child-care facility and in specified school or child-care vehicles, unless an exception applies. [1]
NRS 393.410 also uses “dangerous knife” for school-discipline purposes, defining it as a knife with a blade two inches or longer measured as specified in the statute. [2]
Practical rule: do not bring any knife to a school, college, child-care facility, or related vehicle without clear written authorization.
Can county or city rules be stricter?
Nevada does not provide broad statewide knife preemption comparable to some other states. County and city ordinances may regulate concealed knives, blade length, parks, public buildings, and events. Check the official local code and sheriff guidance for the jurisdiction where you plan to carry.
What vehicle and private-property rules matter?
NRS 202.350 defines concealed carry as carry upon the person, but a weapon positioned in or around a vehicle can still create classification, access, or local-law issues. Keep the knife closed or sheathed and secured against movement.
Casinos, hotels, employers, venues, universities, and property owners may prohibit knives. Comply with security screening and requests to remove the knife or leave.
What air-travel rules apply?
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. [3]
What should you verify before carrying?
- Whether the knife could be treated as a machete or another dangerous or deadly weapon.
- Whether the knife is concealed from ordinary observation.
- Whether a sheriff-issued non-firearm concealed-weapon permit is required or available.
- Whether the destination is a school, college, child-care facility, casino, employer, venue, or private property with stricter rules.
- Whether a county or city ordinance or another state’s law applies.
Conclusion
Nevada generally permits common and automatic knives, but concealed carry of a machete or other dangerous or deadly weapon is restricted and may require a sheriff-issued permit describing that weapon. Schools, child-care facilities, local ordinances, private property, and threatening-display rules require separate attention.
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Knife laws and their interpretation can change and may depend on design, concealment, purpose, location, local ordinance, and conduct. Verify current law through official sources or consult a qualified Nevada attorney about a specific situation.
Sources & References
- [1] Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 202. School-property weapons, threatening display, concealed dangerous or deadly weapons, permits, definitions, and exceptions.
- [2] Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 393. School-discipline dangerous-weapon and dangerous-knife definitions.
- [3] Transportation Security Administration — Knives. Federal carry-on and checked-baggage guidance.
