Knife Laws In Idaho
No stringent knife legislation is levied in Idaho, as people are allowed to enjoy the right of safety the state’s law grants them. They can use survival knives to keep them safe and secure. Moreover, the law allows the citizens to get the ability and responsibility to rescue themselves and others in case of emergency.
A knife, peeling tool, or a stabbing weapon?
It is pertinent to note that knives and blades are not only made to serve in hunting, camping, and in the kitchen, the cutting and peeling tool can be mishandled if wielded wrongly. It is the grave reason that the state finds it obligatory to design a legal framework to keep people safe in homes and on the streets.
So, it is necessary to maintain the safety of the state by following the regulations of Idaho Knife Law. The Idaho concealed weapon license and any license issued by another state apply to knives as well.
It is observed in the statutory definition of “deadly weapon”
“Knives with blades 6 inches or less in length, along with knives intended for the processing, preparation or eating of food are not deadly weapons”
State Knife Law in Idaho
In Idaho (ID) you are free to own, buy, and sell a knife but you have to follow some rules and regulations. People are allowed to keep their favorite knife when they reached the permissible age; above 18 years. They can buy, sell and own the legal knives in Idaho. Both single-edged and double-edged knives are legally tolerable to use in this state.
According to Section 18-3302E,
“Minors under 18 years can carry pocket knives, but if the minors want to carry any kind of knife and blade, then he or she has to take permission with a written letter with the consent of their parents. Minors under 12 years can carry knives but only with their parents. Any person who breaches the law will be guilty of a misdemeanor, and he or she has to pay $500.”
As per Section 18-3302A,
“It is illegal to, directly and indirectly, sell a knife to a minor under 18 years old. If anyone violates the law, then he or she has to compensate with $1,000 and he or she will be imprisoned for six months.”
According to Section 18-3302B (2019),
“If any person carries a knife or any weapon in an intoxicated condition by having alcohol or drugs then it is illegal. For this offense, he or she can be imprisoned for three years.”
Deadly Weapon – Knife
According to § 18-3302, “deadly weapon” defines as follows:
“Deadly weapon” means any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, or firearm; The term “deadly weapon” does not include: Any knife, cleaver, or another instrument that is intended by the person to be used in the processing, preparation or eating of food; Any knife with a blade six (6) inches or less.”
According to the law,
“A “deadly weapon” knife would be any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, or dagger with a blade longer than 6 inches. Knives intended for culinary or food service purposes are excluded. Presumably dressing game in the field would be included within the ambit of “processing” food.”
Concealed Carry Law In Idaho
According to Idaho Knife Law, Code 1833-02 (2),
“The regulation restricts carrying knives and blades whose length is more than 4”. You can only carry legal knives by concealing but sharp and illegal knives of Idaho are not allowed to carry without permission by hiding. You cannot conceal a Dagger, Dirk, or a Bowie without a permit from the local Sheriff’s Officer of your state.”
Legal Restrictions on Carrying Knife Openly
The state’s law has made straight segregation of what is legal and what is not. You can carry legal knives openly as per Idaho Knife Law. Nevertheless, the law has put some limits on carrying the knife and the blade, and dwellers of the state are strictly bound to obey.
Let us take you in detail to comprehend the limitations on knives in Idaho
As per Idaho knife legislation,
“It is illegal to carry any knife open or concealed with a blade larger than 2.5” to any public places or government buildings. It is prohibited to conceal a knife whose length is longer than 4”. Without the permission of the peace office, you cannot carry a knife or blade in a vehicle. You cannot carry knives when you are drunk.”
Exception of Carrying Knife
According to Idaho Code 18-3302 (3),
“You carry a knife more than 4” if you have a license of your professions like a police officer, chef, army, hunter, fisherman, or a butcher.”
Critical Dimensions
It is pertinent to note that the law is rigid to limit and enforce the critical dimensions of the blade, and people are bound to obey legal limitations.
“Blades exceeding 6 inches in length have some restrictions. Greater than two-and-a-half (2-1/2) inches in length knives may not be possessed on school property.”
Types of Legal Knives in Idaho
Idaho knife laws are lenient for people who strictly follow rules, and grant them the favor to use, buy, manufacture, and sell these legal knives and blades in Idaho. For instance,
• Pocket Knife
It is a tiny tool easily be placed in the pocket or a pouch, and its size makes it a perfect rescue knife. Its blade is often used for cutting paper, opening juice cans, dicing fruits, and for other utilitarian purposes. A pocket knife is usually a folding knife and is mostly used for self-defense. But remember, the pocket knife’s length should not be more than 4” and the blade length should not be more than 2”.
• Switchblade
This is an automatic knife that has an anatomy of a sliding blade that has attached the handle and a switch. You can release the blade by pressing the button. In many states in the US switchblades are illegal, however, in Idaho, automatic knives are legal to use.
• Bowie Knife
Bowie Knife is a large hunting knife and is mostly used for butchering. Bowie knife is also a robust self-protection tool, and hunters, chefs, butchers, and fishermen adore it because of its sturdiness. Moreover, it is legal under the knife legislation in Idaho.
• Ballistic Knife
Ballistic Knife has a spring inside it which helps it in opening easily. It is banned in many states, however, permissible in Idaho. This knife is also used by chefs and hunters.
• Disguised Knives
Disguised knives are hard to notice. For instance,
- Penknife
- Lipstick knife
These are used for self-defense in Idaho as these knives are permitted to use in Idaho.
Types of Illegal Knives in Idaho
According to Idaho Code 1883-02,
“You cannot carry deadly weapons and dangerous blades which can harm people in public places. You have to take the permission of a peace officer of the state for carrying any kind of knives.”
Some illegal knives in Idaho are:
• Dirk
Dirk or a dagger is a long knife, more than 7-14”, that’s why not allowed in Idaho. So, you cannot use dirk or dagger in Idaho, and the reason is sharpness and size.
• Butterfly Knife
Butterfly Knife is also known as a flipping knife or balisongs. It is a dangerous knife with a sharp blade. Both sides of this knife are sharp. So, it is illegal to use in Idaho.
• Throwing Stars
Throwing stars are also called ninja knives and are often used in martial arts or some games. Some people use these stars for nasty purposes. So, it is not allowed in Idaho.
• Machetes
The machete is like an ax and is a deadly weapon, which is used for cutting woods, ropes, and flesh. It is the heftiness and sharpness that the state’s law does not believe it a safe knife. However, it is not allowed in Idaho.
• Sword Cane
Sword Cane is often used for sword fighting games in various places. It is dangerously sharp and can be used for criminal felonies. That’s why it is illegal in Idaho.
Penalties for Using and Carrying Illegal Knives in Idaho
According to Idaho Constitution Art, 1, Section 11,
“If you use illegal knives in Idaho, then you will be imprisoned for six months or you have to compensate $1,000.”
Restricted Venues to Carry Knife as per Idaho Knife Law
Many places in Idaho are sensitive to knives and weapons, and where you cannot carry knives, blades, and other weapons because high security is needed to be followed in those places.
• Schools
According to Idaho Code Section 18-3302D (2019)
“Weapons, firearms, blades, and knives are not allowed in schools and educational institutes. If you carry knives and blades in schools and educational institutes, then you will have to pay $1,000. “
So, it is suggested that you should not carry a knife and blades in any educational institute. If it is purposefully required, then you should get valid permission from the peace officer of the state.
• Vehicles
It is highly circumscribed to buy, carry and sell knives and blades in public vehicles like buses, metro, and shuttle.
As per the state’s law,
“If you carry any sharp objects in vehicles, then you will be arrested by the Sheriff’s Officer of Idaho without any warrant.”
• Government Buildings
According to the law,
“In government buildings like a bank, post office, court, and in other federal buildings, you are not allowed to carry knives and weapons. You will be penalized at $500 if you carry any sharp tools or weapons in those places.”
• Other banned places
As per the state’s law,
“A concealed weapon a knife with a blade longer than 6 inches – may not be carried in a courthouse, juvenile detention facility, or jail.”
Legal Consequences for breaching the law
As the law in Idaho further explains the legal consequences of violating the knife law,
“A violation of the various statutes listed above is a misdemeanor. Possession of a weapon on school grounds is punishable by a jail term of up to 1 year and/or a $1000 fine. The sale of a deadly weapon to a minor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and /or a fine of up to $1,000. Unless otherwise specified the misdemeanor, punishment is up to 6 months in jail and/or up-to a $300 fine.”
Final Thought
Idaho knife laws are maintained to keep peace in the state. If you are intended to travel to Idaho, go through all the legal guidelines to stay safe. However, ignorance and negligence can put you behind bars. Compared to other states of the United States, Idaho Knife Law is knife-friendly and reserves people’s right to use knives for self-defense.
It is the responsibility of citizens, migrants, and tourists to follow the legal rules of the state for your safety.
