Knife Laws In Indiana
Indiana is one of the most knife-friendliest states among the fifty states of the US. It has amicable rules and regulations regarding knives. People are free to use longer skinning knives to get the fun of hunting games. There is no legislation and people can use any knife as a survival knife to cope with an unwanted situation. Nevertheless, the state levies ballistic knife laws and throwing star laws.
As knife laws are non-existent, you can get the thrill of switchblades or bowies, anything anywhere and anytime. The laws are imposed and enforced to keep restricted venues far away from any knife. All knives are legal in Indiana and subject to no restriction on the overall length of the blade length.
Indiana practices intent-based laws
As we know that when any state demonstrates no legal binding; it presumes intent-based laws. The legal framework is lenient and depicts a straightforward approach regarding knives in the state.
As the law states,
“You may carry knives for self-defense. However, it is prohibited to use weapons and blades for violence.”
We have made a little effort to let you have a better idea to comprehend all the rules and regulations. After getting through the content, you will be familiar with the laws and can keep yourself safe and sound from any misfortune while in Indiana.
Knives that are explicitly legal under the knife legislation of Indiana
All sorts of pocket knives are legal
- Bowie knives are legal
- Butterfly or Balisong knives are legal
- Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are legal.
- Switchblades and all other automatic knives and gravity knives are legal
- Assisted knives are legal
- Undetectable knives are legal
- Knives that are disguised under lipstick, pen, cane, belt, etc. are legal
What knives are Explicitly Illegal in Indiana
Apart from the declaration of all knives are legal, the law let us know the legal status of ballistic knives and throwing stars. Both are illegal in Indiana.
As per the law,
“Ballistic knives and throwing stars are illegal to use, buy, manufacture, carry, and sell in Indiana. Apart from these knives, there are no limitations in carrying concealed or open knives and blades within the state.”
By taking a deep dive we finally come to know that only ballistic knives and throwing stars are illegal or banned in Indiana.
Knife Size Regulations in Indiana
The state of Indiana does not practice rigid laws and allows people to use knives while keeping themselves far from any brutality and violence. If anyone is found guilty, the law has stringent actions to take against the offender. Moreover, it does not impose harsh restrictions on the knife or blade length. Some localities in Indiana have maintained the self-govern rules and regulations, and do not allow carrying knives with a blade longer than eight inches.
Local Municipality Knife Laws in Indiana
Indiana State does not apply legislation to the entire state. It has local ordinances concerning the carry and possession of knives. Moreover, some municipalities within the state may have ordinances that are usually more restrictive than state law. So, it is suggested that if you are intended to travel to Indiana, apart from knowing the state’s laws, you should consider the municipalities ordinance as well. Ignorance of the fact can land you in trouble. For instance, South Bend and Westfield impose a general ban on carrying the knife within the limits of public parks. However, Merrillville prohibits concealed carry of all knives except for ordinary pocket knives with blades no longer than 2 inches.
Ballistic Knife Law In Indiana
According to section 35-47-5-2,
“A person commits Class B misdemeanor if he/she manufactures, sells, possesses, offers, displays, lends, purchases, or gives away any knife with a detachable blade that may be released from the handle as a projectile through a spring, gas, or any other device enclosed in the knife’s handle.”
Throwing Stars Knife Law In Indiana
Under section 35-47-5-1,
“A person who manufactures, imports into Indiana, keeps for sale, offers or exposes for sale, or lends, gives, or possesses a Chinese throwing star commits a Class C misdemeanor. The Chinese throwing star used in this section is defined as a throwing knife, throwing iron, or other knife-like weapons set at different angles. “
Throwing stars are illegal, but throwing knives are allowed with a few restrictions
So, finally, we can further explain the law regarding illegal knives in Indiana. As per the state’s law,
“It is illegal to own and carry throwing stars in Indiana. However, you may have to throw knives if they have only one blade or blades at the same angle. Throwing axes, tomahawks, and hatchets are permitted as long as the blades are at a similar angle.”
However, it is pertinent to note:
- It is lawful to own and carry Karambits in Indiana. The law of Indiana does not restrict carrying any knife openly or concealed.
- Under Indiana criminal code,
“You cannot possess or buy a ‘Chinese throwing star’ which is defined as a throwing knife, throwing iron, or other knife-like weapons with blades set at different angles.”
Legal consequences of breaching the law
“Anyone who violates the law will be charged with a Class C felony. However, throwing knives may be legal if they have a single blade or blades at the same angle. Mostly throwing knives are not sharp if they have a single blade so you can carry them. The throwing knives with multiple blades at the front and the back are considered illegal.”
The legality of Balisongs in Indiana
As per the state’s law,
“It is legal to own and carry a balisong, or butterfly knife, open or concealed.”
Balisong knives have many names; it is also known as fanning and flipping knives. Mostly butterfly knives are used to show artistry and are also often used as a gaming knives.
The legality of Swords in Indiana
According to the law,
“Anyone over the age of 21 can carry any knife type, concealed or open, including swords. The state law does not impose restrictions on the blade length nor restrict carrying any kind of knife except for ballistic and Chinese throwing star knives.”
Knife laws in Indiana for Minor
As per section 35-47-2-7,
“An individual cannot sell, transfer, or give any deadly or dangerous weapons or knives to any person under 18 years. A minor under 18 years of age can possess a dangerous knife only if he/she has permission from the parent or guardian. Except an individual acting within a parent-minor child or guardian-minor protected person relationship or any other individual who is also acting in compliance with IC 35-47-10 (governing children and firearms), a person may not sell, give, or in any other manner transfer the ownership or possession of a handgun or assault weapon to any person under eighteen (18) years of age.”
Knife laws in the case of Intoxication
As per the state’s law,
“It is a class B misdemeanor if someone sells, gives, or delivers any dangerous/deadly weapon/knife to a person who is intoxicated or knowing him to be in the case of intoxication, or having the habits of becoming intoxicated and related to it.”
In the code 35-47-4-1 below. Sec. 1:
“A person who sells, barters, gives, or delivers any deadly weapon to any person at the time in a state of intoxication, knowing him to be in a state of intoxication, or to any person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated, and knowing him to be a person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated, commits a Class B misdemeanor.”
Laws of Concealment
There are no concealment knife-related anxieties and people are free from legal glitches. Open carry knife laws and concealed carry knife laws are the same. Nevertheless, you cannot carry an illegal knife openly or conceal it.
Blade size
Blade size is not a concern under the knife legislation of Indiana. No blade length is proscribed, so does not create an issue in Indiana knife laws too. There is no fixed or circumscribed blade size for any particular knife. You can carry any permitted knives with any blade size.
Knife laws in Indians for restricted venues
Under section IC. 35-47-2.5,
“It is illegal to carry, sell, and use knives on school premises. Anyone who breaches the law and is found carrying knives and blades on school property will have to face a fine of $500, according to IC 35-31.5-2-285.”
As per section IC 20-27-2-8,
“It is also unlawful to carry knives on the school bus. If anyone intentionally possesses a knife on school premises, commits a Class B misdemeanor.
Exceptions of the rule
The law implies following exceptions to the rule
- If the knives are granted to the person by the school authority
- If the person uses the knives for a lawful reason given by the school corporation
- If the knives are kept in a vehicle
The code 35-47-5-2.5 explains
(a) As used in this section, “knife” means an instrument that:
“Consists of a sharp-edged or sharp-pointed blade capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds; and is intended to be used as a weapon. The term includes a dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto, switchblade knife, or gravity knife.”
A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally possesses a knife on:
(1) school property (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-285);
(2) a school bus (as defined in IC 20-27-2-8); or
(3) a special purpose bus (as defined in IC 20-27-2-10);
“Commits a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the person has a previous unrelated conviction under this section and a Level 6 felony if the offense results in bodily injury to another person.”
(d) This section does not apply to a person who possesses a knife:
(1) if:
“The knife is provided to the person by the school corporation or possession of the knife is authorized by the school corporation, and the person uses the knife for a purpose authorized by the school corporation; or If the knife is secured in a motor vehicle.”
The two most important factors in Indiana Knife Laws
- Restrictions for the minors under eighteen years old
- Restrictions for carrying any knives on the school premises
Final Thought
Though knife laws in Indiana are not harsh and rigid the state does not allow the citizens, migrants, and tourists to use knives to harm anyone. The law does not support any activity that is probable to create chaos and distress in the state. The state of Indiana trusts people to use knives for their safety and adventure, nevertheless, it restricts them to carry knives when reached the permissible age. Law has approved all knives as legal and ballistic knives and ninja knives are called illegal by the state.
