Indiana knife laws aren’t restrictive and provide a wide range of freedom in as far as owning and carrying a knife is concerned.
Owning knives such as switchblades and automatic knives is legal. These knives could be carried concealed or openly as long as one is not in school or courthouses.
There are ordinances maintained by some municipalities in the state, which are more restrictive compared to the state laws. For instance, Merrillville has outlawed concealing and carrying of knives unless it is a pocket or folding knives.
Legality
Knife owners in Indiana can possess and carry different types of knives. They can carry fixed blades and folding knives. In addition, knife owners can also carry disguised blades including dipstick knives, folding knives, hunting single-edged blades, pocket knives, poniards, stiletto, utility knives, daggers, pocket knives and Bowie knives. One may also carry other types of knives concealed or openly. However, these blades should not be carried into school property except when they are to be used in experiments and projects. Indiana law permits ownership of knives that have finger rings. Further, public law number 289-2013 enacted in 2013 and signed by Mike Pence, the state’s Governor, makes it legal to own and carry switchblades and automatic knives in Indiana. However, the law allows people to buy, own, sell and display automatic knives and switchblades.
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Illegal
Despite repealing old laws and enacting new ones in Indiana, it is still illegal to own and carry throwing stars and ballistic knives. If found buying, owning, carrying or selling these knives in Indiana, you will be deemed to have committed a class C Misdemeanor. The statute on school property prohibits carrying gravity knife, switch blade knife, stiletto, dirk and dagger into the school property. Initially, anyone found in possession, manufacturing, displaying, selling, buying or gifting another person a knife that opens automatically was deemed to have committed Class B misdemeanor. However, this section of the code was struck off on July 1, 2013.
Limit
Although the state law does not place limit on the blade that can be owned and carried, some municipalities have limits on the length of blade one can conceal and carry. Each community has specific laws that guide the length of knives that one can carry.
Concealed Carry
There is no distinction between concealed and open carry in Indiana. People are free to carry knives either hidden or open. However, there are ordinances in various municipalities which forbid concealed carry. While in these cities and municipalities, you may only be allowed to carry pocket knives that have short blades as concealed carry.
Other knife laws
Generally, knife laws in Indiana allow residents to carry and own several blades including switchblades. Even though, some municipalities place restrictions on owning and carrying switchblades. Article 47, Chapter 5 discusses prohibited instruments and clarifies that residents should not be concerned with possession and concealment of knives as long as they are not among the prohibited instruments like the throwing stars, ballistic knives and many more. It is illegal to import, manufacture, display, sell or possess ballistic and throwing star blades.
