❄️ Minnesota Knife Laws
Overview
Minnesota does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Both open and concealed carry of knives are legal. There is no general blade length restriction. Switchblades are prohibited.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Minnesota has no statute prohibiting open carry of knives. No statewide blade length restriction. A knife only becomes problematic if it qualifies as a 'dangerous weapon' under § 609.02 Subd. 6 and is carried with unlawful intent. § 625.16 allows a court to require a person who goes armed with a 'dirk, dagger, sword, or other offensive weapon' without reasonable cause to post a surety bond. Location restrictions: knives classified as dangerous weapons are prohibited on school property (§ 609.66 Subd. 1d) and in courthouses.
Concealed carry of knives is generally legal in Minnesota at the state level. No statute specifically prohibits concealed carry of knives. Carrying any knife with intent to use it unlawfully as a weapon is a crime under § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(5). No statewide preemption — local ordinances may impose restrictions (Minneapolis limits concealed knives to 4 inches; Rochester also restricts blade lengths).
No statewide blade length restriction. Minnesota imposes no maximum blade length for ownership, open carry, or concealed carry at the state level. Local ordinances do impose limits — Minneapolis restricts concealed carry of knives with blades over 4 inches, Woodbury has a 3-inch limit. No statewide preemption prevents local restrictions.
Statute: 609.66
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Illegal | The only knife type explicitly banned by name in Minnesota. § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(4) prohibits the manufacture, transfer, or possession of 'a switch blade knife opening automatically.' This ban has not been repealed despite legislative attempts. Knife Rights filed a federal Second Amendment lawsuit (Knife Rights, Inc. v. Ellison, 2024) challenging the ban under Bruen — case is pending as of 2026. Penalty: misdemeanor (up to 90 days / $1,000); gross misdemeanor in school or park zones. Statute: 609.66 |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Legal | Not prohibited under Minnesota law. Not classified as switchblades because they require manual manipulation rather than opening automatically via a spring. In the unpublished opinion State v. Quimby (2008), the court defined a switchblade as a spring-powered knife — which excludes balisongs. No binding case law directly classifies balisongs. Carrying with unlawful intent is still a crime under § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(5). Statute: 609.66 |
| Disguised Knives | Legal | Minnesota does not specifically prohibit disguised knives. No statute mentions cane swords, lipstick knives, pen knives, or belt buckle knives. Legal to own and carry. However, the concealed/disguised nature could be used as evidence of intent to use as a weapon, potentially triggering § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(5). Statute: 609.66 |
| Assisted-Opening | Unclear | Genuine gray area. § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(4) bans 'a switch blade knife opening automatically' but does not define 'opening automatically.' Minnesota has not adopted the federal 'bias toward closure' language. AKTI warns that 'one cannot be confident that an assisted opening knife will not be found by a court to be unlawful under 609.66.' No Minnesota court has ruled on this question. Statute: 609.66 |
| Ballistic Knives | Unclear | Minnesota statute does not mention ballistic knives by name. The only knife explicitly banned is the switchblade. A ballistic knife could potentially be prosecuted under § 609.66 Subd. 1(a)(5) as a 'dangerous article for unlawful weapon use' if intent is shown, or under § 609.02 as a 'device designed as a weapon.' No categorical state-level ban exists. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1245) restricts ballistic knives. |
Relevant Statutes(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.
