When it comes to carrying knives in Indiana, there are not many restrictions. Unlike other states, Indiana does not require concealment when carrying knives. However, it is illegal to manufacture, own, display, offer, sell, lend, give away or buy ballistic knives and “Chinese throwing stars”. It is also illegal to possess any cutting instrument or knife that is “intended to be used as a weapon” on school grounds.
The definition of a knife in Indiana includes the plural “blades” and further describes “blades” as “placed at different angles”. Therefore, this law does not restrict the use of a “throwing” knife if it has a single blade. The state of Indiana does not impose strict restrictions on knife or blade length. Some localities in the state do not allow the carrying of knives with a blade larger than eight inches.
Indiana does not have any blade or total length laws. Carrying the knife in your belt or attached to your pocket, whether fully or partially visible or hidden, will generally not get you into trouble in Indiana, except on school property or where it is prohibited locally, such as at an airport or a courthouse. It is important to note that some localities may have their own restrictions on knife length and type. For example, in Merrillville, carrying a pocket knife with a blade larger than two inches is illegal.
In addition to this, the state of Indiana bans the possession of ballistic knives and “Chinese throwing stars”. Using a knife in any kind in a violent, aggressive, or threatening manner is illegal and constitutes a serious crime in Indiana. It is also illegal for convicted felons to carry a knife on school property. The only types of knives explicitly prohibited by Indiana law are Chinese throwing knives and knives with detachable blades (commonly known as ballistic knives).
Indiana's main knife laws are fairly straightforward compared to other states which have long and complicated provisions. The state does not impose any restrictions on the length of knife blades and does not require them to be hidden when carrying a knife. However, it is illegal to supply a deadly weapon to an intoxicated person or someone with a habit of being intoxicated. In addition, it is illegal to take any kind of knife to school grounds unless it is approved by the school or left in your car.
To ensure you're on the right side of the law, research the specific knife laws of any city you plan to visit within Indiana. Most members of the knife community will appreciate that the Indiana legislature intended to restrict that category of objects which are often referred to as shuriken and which were developed by samurai in feudal Japan. Legal knives in Indiana include balisongs, bowies, disguised knives, assisted knives, daggers, automatic knives, single-blade throwing knives and others. Whether you're a hunter, boy scout, fisherman or simply a gun enthusiast, it's important that you understand the laws that govern the ownership, concealment and possession of knives here in Indiana.
Knowing these laws can help you stay safe and avoid legal trouble.
