Knife Laws In Minnesota
Minnesota Knife Law is verbose and super long statutes need to be simplified for people to understand, respect, and follow the legislation. Moreover, the knife legislation is loquacious in Minnesota, and the vital purpose of making rules and regulations is it should be communicated in the best possible way. It is pertinent that the law should be comprehensible to the common man. Most of the citizens of Minnesota get exasperated due to the muddling legislation of the open and concealed knife law of the state. Like many other states in the US people reserves the right to be protective and concerned for their safety and are allowed to use survival knives.
According to the Criminal Code of Minnesota
The knife law in Minnesota requires a little legal training and advice to comprehend properly. However, the law presumes,
“Carrying any dangerous weapon and knife is strictly prohibited in Minnesota.”
Using a knife and blade for self-defense has no prohibition in Minnesota because every citizen has the legal and basic right to carry any weapon for their protection. Nevertheless, you have to follow some rules and regulations for carrying knives and other weapons. Not all states have the same legal structure, so you should prudently follow the regulations of Minnesota before using knives in this state.
The brief history of Minnesota
Minnesota (MN) is the 32nd state of the U.S. that is formed from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory. This state has the fame of lakes and is also known as the land of 10,000 lakes. People of Minnesota love fishing and relish the exquisiteness of the state. If you are a nature-lover then you should visit Minnesota. People all over the world travel to Minnesota to consume the soothing beauty of nature. To keep the ambiance peaceful and for the safety of the citizens, the migrants, and tourists, some federal knife laws have been introduced.
State Knife Law in Minnesota
According to Minn. Stat. Section 609.66 (2012),
“It is a misdemeanor and a crime to carry illegal knives openly or by concealing. You can be penalized for that felony. Metal Knuckles and switchblades are highly banned in Minnesota.”
Concealed and Open Carry Knife Law In Minnesota
As per Minnesota Knife Law, Section 625.16,
“Carrying dangerous knives such as daggers, dirk, and swords are illegal. You can neither openly carry nor you can carry these knives in a concealed way. You cannot can Automatic Knives and transfer them in a concealed way.”
According to Section 625.16 of Minnesota Knife Law,
“A person who carries dangerous weapons will have to compensate $500 and the person will be imprisoned for six months”.
Knife Length Limitation as per Minnesota Knife Law
According to Minnesota Knife Law – Benchmade 62,
“You can carry up to 4.25” knives or blades in the state but not more than that. For violating the knife law, you will be imprisoned for six months. “
Knife Types that are explicitly legal in Minnesota
There are some knives and blades that are permissible under the knife legislation in Minnesota. You are free to use, carry, manufacture, and buy these knives in this state. However, the law does not permit you to keep these sharp weapons while visiting the restricted places of the state.
The knife types that are legal in the states are as follows:
• Balisong Knife
Balisong Knife is also known by different names. For instance,
- Butterfly knife
- Fanning
- Flipping knife
Balisong knife is mostly used in artistry and people love to enjoy a gaming knife. Balisong or Butterfly knife is also used for self-defense and is a credible rescue tool. The fanning knife is illegal in many states in the US. However, the knife is legal in Minnesota.
• Bowie Knife
Bowie Knife is a large fighting knife of the past. Now it is known as a skinning knife or hunting tool which is used for butchering games. Bowies are used to process big and small games effectively. Butchers use this knife for slashing meat. Bowie knife is a promising rescue knife and is legal in Minnesota.
• Throwing Star
A throwing star or a ninja star is a gaming knife often used to play games in the state fair. It is dangerous and can harm you and others if mishandled. So, you cannot carry a throwing knife in restricted places, but it is legal to use in Minnesota.
• Disguised Knife
Disguised knives are invisible tools and hardly noticeable by anyone. It has many genres to come under this category, for instance,
- Lipstick knife
- Pen knife
- Sword cane
And other hidden knives are legal to carry in Minnesota. You are only not allowed to carry them in schools and other educational institutes, which are strictly no-knife zones. And the law is very strict in this manner.
Types of Illegal Knives in Minnesota
According to Section 609.66 of Minnesota Knife Law,
“Owning and selling illegal knives are prohibited. For selling illegal knives, you would be imprisoned for 90 days or 1 year. Only fishermen, butchers, chefs, police inspectors, and armies can carry different types of knives, but the valid proof will always be required.”
To keep the state peaceful and to scrutinize the rules and regulations in the state, some illegal knives are banned in Minnesota. And being a responsible dweller, you should abide by the law.
The knife types that are illegal in Minnesota are as follows:
• Knuckle Knife
Knuckle knives can be carried by the knuckles of your hand. Apart from its gaming feature, it could be dangerous to harm people. These knives are also known as betting knives, and the blade of these knives is extremely sharp, and can badly injure or even kill someone if thrown. So, it is illegal in Minnesota.
• Switchblade
A switchblade is also known as an automatic knife that has sharp blades and a spring switch that help to open the blade. It is its mechanism that makes the knife critical, and the state does not want to destroy peace. Using this type of automatic knife is illegal in Minnesota.
• Dagger/Dirk
Dirk or Dagger is a sharp and long knife that has sharp edges. The dirks and daggers are difficult to manage and can injure anyone. According to Minnesota Knife Law, it is illegal to use dirks and daggers in this state.
• Sword
Sword is a tool of the past, usually used to fight, and now the modified version is used for self-defense. It is a weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard, which is used for striking and prodding. Due to its high-pitched and dangerous edges, it is illegal to carry in Minnesota.
Legal consequences for Using and Carrying Illegal Knives in Minnesota
According to Minnesota Knife Law,
“If you carry illegal knives in public places and restricted places, then you will be imprisoned for five years and you have to compensate $10,000.”
Restricted Places to Carry Knives as per Minnesota Knife Law
According to Minnesota Knife Law,
“Some places are completely restricted to use, carrying, buying, and selling any kind of knife, blade, or dangerous weapon. If you need to carry knives and blades for some important use in your state, then take permission from the peace officer of the state.”
Take a look at a few places where you cannot carry knives and weapons:
• Government Buildings
In government buildings, you cannot enter with knives, as these places are of high security, and entering with a knife is a serious crime. For instance,
- Police stations
- Banks
- Court
- Federal offices
You cannot carry knives because these are the highly restricted places to carry knives.
• Schools and Educational Institutes
As per the law,
“Schools, colleges, and other educational institutes are restricted places to carry knives and blades.”
So, it is advisable to don’t carry any knife or blade in such places to maintain the regulation and the security of the students.
• Public Vehicles
As per Minnesota Knife Law,
“It is restricted to carry knives and blades in public vehicles such as buses, metros, and shuttles. “
• Private Properties
If you are visiting private properties such as someone’s residential area, garage, or other properties, then it is completely illegal to enter the premises with a knife open or concealed.
What would happen if you carry knives in Restricted Places
According to Minn. Stat. 609.66,
“Carrying dangerous weapons and knives in public places and restricted places should be prohibited because as per Subdivision 1, it is a misdemeanor crime. For attempting such a felony, you may be jailed for 5-6 months and you have to compensate $10,000.”
Final Thoughts
Minnesota knife laws are stringent for law-breakers and lenient for those who always respect and follow the law. Rules and regulations are introduced and maintained to keep the state safe and sound. The state’s law urges to see people safely moving around and stay in their homes. We hope the regulations of Minnesota Knife Law will help you know about the regulations of using, carrying, manufacturing, transferring, buying, and selling knives.
