Knife Laws In Kansas
Kansas Knife Law is flexible in comparison to the legal bindings of other states. Kansas is also known as the brightest yellow place on earth, as it is enchanted by the bright sunlight and lots of sunflowers in the city. Tourists from all over the world love to travel to Kansas to get amused by the sun’s power and to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the city.
Kansas is a nonviolent state and it is not a city of aberrant malfeasance, still, the government of the state has established a legitimate culture to maintain peace to keep people safe and secure. The effort is also made to salvage tourism in the city. Kansas Knife Law proscribes students from possessing any kind of blade and knife, commonly switch-blade. Though people are in a habit to keep knives for their safety, thus, survival knives are the legal norm of the state.
It one of the most knife-friendly states in the US
Kansas demonstrates a legal framework that depicts freedom and liberty of carrying weapons and knives. However, the recent amendments made to the knife regulations have made it the most knife-friendly state in America. Nevertheless, the state believes that a bunch of rules and regulations regarding knives are imperative to minimize the chances of any prosecution charge in the future. To ditch violence with strict enforcement of laws is the key to keeping the peace.
Here is one-to-all detail regarding the laws to ensure the safety of dwellers of Kansas.
State Knife Law in Kansas
Kansas (KS) is a lawful state that constructs the knife legislation to secure tourism and protect people resting at homes and roaming in streets, with some simple regulations of using, buying, and selling knives or blades.
According to Section 21-6301 of the Statutes Annotated (K.S.A),
“Using legal knives has been removed from the list of different felonies. As per K.S.A. 12-16, 134, knife-making components and knives are not regulated by the municipalities, so the federal government has introduced the legal regulations of the state.”
Knife Size Regulations in Kansas
Earlier, the law was strict regarding the blade length of knives. And people were strict to carry a knife with a blade length of fewer than 4 inches. Nevertheless, people are now free to use any knife, open or concealed, regardless of the length of the blade. The revised law is simple and relaxing and does not impose restrictions on blade length.
Local Municipality Knife Laws in Kansas
The Kansas state law on carrying and possessing a knife preempts all local ordinances. The government of the city smoothly regulates the law and maintains uniform knife laws statewide. People who are intended to travel from a different city or within the state do not worry to consider local laws or state or country laws. Because the clear and straightforward knife laws are implemented in Kansas to keep people aware and informed. People are relaxed and comfortable with the knife rights granted by the government, as they can freely travel within the state without heeding the local ordinances.
Laws Regarding Concealed and Openly Carrying Knives in Kansas
The citizens of Kansas are allowed to enjoy the right to own, buy, carry and sell all legal knives. The government of the state authorizes all the citizens to carry knives, openly or concealed, within the boundaries of the state. People can use rescue knives to rescue themselves and others to cope with an uncanny situation. The state does not confine people to the blade length, though it certainly restricts them from not carrying a knife into some places such as schools and government buildings.
As per K.S.A. section 21-6302 (a),
“You may not conceal carry blackjack, billy, sand-club, slung-shot, throwing stars, bludgeon, and metal knuckles.”
According to K.S.A. section 21-6301,
“Anyone who violates the law and carries illegal knives and dangerous weapons concealed may face imprisonment for one year or a fine up to $600.”
Limitations On Convicted Offenders
The Kansas law enacts restrictions on a convicted felon regarding ownership and carrying knives.
As per section 21-6304 (Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon),
“Uses the word “firearm” in the caption, but the limitations also apply to a knife. In section 21-6304, a knife is defined as a dagger, dirk, stiletto, switchblade, straight-edged razor, or any other dangerous or deadly cutting instrument of like character. It is unlawful for a convicted felon to own a firearm, dirk, switchblade, or stiletto.”
Penalties for Violation of Kansas Knife Law
According to K.S.A. Section 21-6301,
“If you carry illegal knives and dangerous weapons by concealing, then he or she might be imprisoned for one year. Moreover, the person has to compensate $600.”
Can a Minor Carry a Knife in Kansas?
As per the state’s law,
“Kansas does not have any age restrictions on carrying a knife. You can carry any legal knife, openly or concealed, except for throwing stars and ballistic knives.”
Types of Legal Knives in Kansas
As Kansas is a knife-cordial state, most the knives are permissible to own, carry, buy and sell, nevertheless depending on the size. Some knives are legal and no limitations lie behind carrying such knives:
• Pocket Knife
As per the state’s law, the 2-4” pocket knives are believed to be ordinary knives and are easily carried in a bag or pocket. These blades are crafted to serve in multiple ways. For instance, pocket knives are used to cut paper, rope, self-defense, and open envelope. Hence, these knives are tolerable to carry under the knife legislation in Kansas.
• Disguised Knives
The disguised knives hardly noticeable such as
- Lipstick knife
- Cane knife
- pen-knife
The undetectable or disguised knives are mostly used in the clandestine maneuver. These knives are undetectable and often used as pocket knives. There are no restrictions on carrying the knives in a hidden way, and legal to keep in Kansas.
• Bowie Knife
Bowie Knife is a famous hunting knife, and it is a promising tool for self-protection. Bowie knife is also used for butchering games in various places. Bowies are illegal in various states in the US. However, it is legal to use in Kansas.
• Dirk/Dagger
A dirk or a dagger is a long, slender, and sharp knife that is used for self-defense. However, as daggers are heavy and extremely sharp the state requires people to get them trained first before getting involved with dirks or daggers. It is legally allowed to carry in this state.
• Gravity Knife
The gravity knife has whirling motion anatomy and propels the handle of the blade. It is also a kind of automatic knife but it has a switch to open while required. This knife is legal to carry in Kansas.
Knife Types that are explicitly Illegal in Kansas
The state has banned some knives and carrying, owning, using, selling, manufacturing, and buying them is considered illegal as per Kansas Knife Law.
• Throwing Star
Throwing Star or a ninja star is usually used in martial arts or knife games. The stars are sharp and piercing and can be life-threatening. This is a dangerous weapon that can harm or kill a person. So, it is not legal in Kansas.
• Ballistic Knife
The ballistic knife is a large and extremely sharp knife that is mostly used for cutting fish and cutting meat. However, the state believes it is an unsafe knife and can be treacherous if wielded wrongly. That’s why it is illegal in Kansas.
Legal Consequences for Owning and Carrying Illegal Knives
According to K.S.A. Section 21-6302 (a),
“Selling, transferring, buying, and using Ballistic Knife and Throwing Star is banned in Kansas. For violating the section, you might be imprisoned for two years and you have to compensate $600.”
Exceptions of Knife Usage
According to the code K.S.A. Section 21-6301 (11) & (12),
“Law enforcement officers, police officers, armies, security guards, butchers, and fishermen can only use every type of knives and other weapons if they have a valid permit or ID proof for using knives and blades.”
Restricted Places to Carry Knives as per Kansas Knife Law
As per the Kansas Knife Law,
“There are some places where you cannot sell, buy, use and carry knives and blades. You will be punished or you have to compensate for using knives in those places.”
So, always remember not to carry knives in the following restricted venues
• Schools or other academes’
According to K.S.A. Section 72-89a01 & 72-89a02,
“Students should not bring any knife and blade on the school premises. Moreover, firearms and any dangerous weapons are not allowed to carry in educational institutes. Only the guards can carry the knives as per their occupation for the safety of the students and staff of the schools or any educational institute.”
• Vehicles
Public transport is sensitive to carrying weapons and knives, and owning knives can create a perilous situation. So, the state’s law strictly banned knives in public transport. For instance, a bus, shuttle, or any other vehicle. You can carry these knives and blades in private vehicles.
• Government Buildings
Government buildings are in high-security zones and Kansas does not allow people to enter with a knife, open or concealed. Restricted buildings are,
- Courts
- Post office
- Banks
- Police station
- Federal office
The government buildings are of high-security screening where you cannot use and carry knives and blades as per Kansas Knife Law.
• Public Places
You are restricted with a blade length of 4’’ when it comes to your presence in public. You can carry blades and knives which have a length of less than 4″. You cannot carry knives more than that length in streets, private cars, airports, metro, and markets.
• Private Properties
You are supposed to get the owner’s consent of keeping a knife if you are visiting someone’s place or private property such as a house, office, or other places. Then carrying knives and blades for any purpose is illegal in that state. You have to take the permission of the owner of the place if you want to carry knives for any purpose.
Legal consequences of violating the Weapon-free Zones In Kansas
As per the Kansas Knife Law,
“For breaching the regulations of carrying a knife in schools and other restricted places, you may be imprisoned for one year or you might have to compensate $500.”
Final Thought
Regardless of the state’s lenient and flexible knife laws, the government is still determined to strictly enforce knife laws in the state. If you will try to switch from legal to illegal knife possession, the law will not spare you. Legal regulations are mandatory to be followed by every citizen and the migrant of the state. If you are intended to enjoy sun and sunflower and planning to visit Kansas then always stick to the grounds of law. Enjoy traveling the stunning city, but remember you have to follow the legislation and norms which are made for the safety of the citizens in the state.
It is your responsibility to respect the law, and not cross the legal threshold in Kansas, as it is for your safety and well-being.
