🏎️ Indiana Knife Laws
Overview
Indiana has statewide preemption — local governments cannot create additional knife restrictions beyond state law. Both open and concealed carry of knives are legal. There is no general blade length restriction. Ballistic knives are prohibited.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Indiana does not restrict open carry of knives. No statute prohibits openly carrying any type of knife, and there is no blade length restriction for open carry. AKTI notes that 'the public carry of knives is not generally restricted in Indiana.' The only knife-specific prohibitions are ballistic knives (IC 35-47-5-2) and knives on school property when intended as a weapon (IC 35-47-5-2.5).
Statute: 35-47-5-2, 35-47-5-2.5
There are no limitations on concealed carry of knives in Indiana. Indiana's weapons licensing regime (IC 35-47-2) applies only to handguns, not to knives. No permit is required to carry any knife concealed. The only statewide knife prohibitions are ballistic knives and knives on school property intended as weapons.
Statute: 35-47-5-2, 35-47-5-2.5
No statewide blade length restriction of any kind. Indiana imposes no maximum blade length for open carry, concealed carry, purchase, sale, or possession. AKTI lists critical dimensions as 'None.' Local ordinances may impose limits (e.g., Merrillville restricts concealed carry to pocket knives with blades 2 inches or less).
Statute: 35-47-5-2
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Legal | Indiana repealed its switchblade ban effective July 1, 2013 (P.L.289-2013). The former prohibition in IC 35-47-5-2, which banned knives with blades that open automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device, was amended to prohibit only ballistic knives (knives with detachable blades ejected as projectiles). Switchblades are legal to own, carry, sell, and manufacture. They remain listed in IC 35-47-5-2.5(b) as prohibited on school property when intended as a weapon. Statute: 35-47-5-2, 35-47-5-2.5 |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Legal | Not specifically addressed in Indiana statutes. Balisongs operate by manual manipulation and are not classified as automatic knives or ballistic knives. Since Indiana does not restrict any knife type except ballistic knives, butterfly knives are legal to own and carry. Statute: 35-47-5-2 |
| Disguised Knives | Legal | Indiana does not prohibit disguised knives (cane swords, lipstick knives, belt buckle knives, etc.) as a category. No statute addresses disguised blades. They are legal to own and carry subject to the same rules as any other knife. Statute: 35-47-5-2 |
| Assisted-Opening | Legal | Not specifically addressed in Indiana statutes. Since Indiana repealed its automatic knife ban in 2013 and now prohibits only ballistic knives, there is no basis for restricting assisted-opening knives. They are legal to own and carry. Statute: 35-47-5-2 |
| Ballistic Knives | Illegal | The only knife type banned in Indiana. IC 35-47-5-2 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase any knife with a detachable blade that may be ejected from the handle as a projectile by means of gas, a spring, or any other device contained in the handle of the knife. Statute: 35-47-5-2 |
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional restrictions beyond state law. Always verify with official state sources before making decisions about knife carry or ownership. KnifeInformer is not a law firm — consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.
