🌲 Oregon Knife Laws
Overview
Oregon does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Open carry is legal, but concealed carry of certain knives is restricted. There is no general blade length restriction. Switchblades, balisongs / butterfly knives, disguised knives, and assisted-opening have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Oregon has no statute restricting open carry of knives. All knife types — including switchblades, balisongs, dirks, daggers, and fixed blades of any length — may be carried openly. Under Oregon v. Turner (2008), a knife is not concealed if it is 'readily identifiable as a weapon.' A knife in a visible sheath on a belt is not concealed.
Statute: 166.240
ORS 166.240(1) prohibits concealed carry of 'any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted.' Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months / $2,500). Only peace officers are exempt under 166.240(2). Ordinary folding knives may be carried concealed.
No general statewide blade length limit for carry. ORS 166.360(10)(b) creates a 4-inch threshold for public buildings and court facilities: an 'ordinary pocketknife with a blade less than four inches in length' is exempt from the weapons prohibition in those locations. Carrying any other knife in public buildings is a Class C felony under ORS 166.370. No statewide preemption — local ordinances may impose additional restrictions.
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Restricted | Legal to own and carry openly. Concealed carry prohibited under ORS 166.240(1) as 'any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring.' The 1999 amendment removed the words 'commonly known as a switchblade knife' and broadened the scope. Convicted felons are additionally prohibited from possessing switchblades under ORS 166.270(2). |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Restricted | Legal to own and carry openly. Concealed carry prohibited under ORS 166.240(1) as a knife with a blade that swings into position 'by centrifugal force.' Balisongs open by flipping the handles, which is a centrifugal-force mechanism squarely within the statute. Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing balisongs under ORS 166.270(2). |
| Disguised Knives | Restricted | Not specifically addressed by name. ORS 166.240 includes a catch-all for 'any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted.' A disguised knife carried concealed would inherently not be 'readily identifiable as a weapon' under the Turner concealment test, making it very likely to violate ORS 166.240. Legal to own. Statute: 166.240 |
| Assisted-Opening | Restricted | Legal to own and carry openly. Concealed carry prohibited under ORS 166.240(1) as a knife with a blade that 'projects or swings into position by force of a spring.' AKTI and legal analyses treat assisted-opening knives as covered by this language. In State v. Markwell, a knife opened at speeds exceeding manual manipulation was found to violate the statute. Statute: 166.240 |
| Ballistic Knives | Unclear | Not specifically addressed by name in any Oregon statute. Legal to own under state law. Concealed carry would likely fall under ORS 166.240's spring-force prohibition. Federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1245) separately restricts ballistic knives regardless of state law. Statute: 166.240 |
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.
