Minnesota is popular for fishers and hunters and most of the time use knives. The knife laws in this state are a bit relaxed. It’s illegal to carry metal knuckles and switchblades, but the rest of the knives are legal.
Minnesota knife laws leniently treat recreational related knives. These knives include fishing knives, hunting knives, and buck knives. Some knives are taken as weapons and are prohibited under certain situations.
Open and conceal carry are allowed regardless of the length of the blade if the one carrying it doesn’t have an intent to harm.
Legal
Any knife apart from metal knuckles and switchblades are legal in Minnesota. However carrying it may be complex. There are several knives which can be bought, owned, given away or sold in Minnesota which include; folding knives, fixed blades, fishing and hunting knives, swords and machetes, throwing knives or stars, utility knives, and sword-canes.
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Illegal
Metal knuckles are illegal in Minnesota. Metal Knuckles may include those knives with finger rings built in.
Section § 609.66 of Minnesota knife laws states that selling, owning or making a switchblade is misdemeanor crime which carries a penalty which can be a jail term and fines which depend on where the offense occurred.
Recreational knives don't usually draw attention from authorities which can make the government respond negatively. However, the Minnesota knife laws allow anyone who is terrified by seeing someone carrying a sword, dagger or any other weapon to ask the court to order the one carrying the knife to have a bond deposited for six months and it assures the behavior of the carrier. These laws don't always get applied since an average passerby is unaware of it.
It’s illegal to carry any knife in a school or on a school property unless the carrier is a military person, peace officer, a military student under training and allowed to carry one or if a school allows a knife or gun show to be held on the school premises.
Length Limit
Minnesota knife laws don't restrict the length of the knife blade. The knife laws in this state depend on the location of carrying and the method of opening.
Concealed Carry
Any knife that is legal to own can be carried concealed or openly. But since preemption law isn’t there, local communities may enact very strict ordinances that may prohibit concealed carry which is allowed by the law in Minnesota.
Other Knife Laws in Minnesota
The knife laws in Minnesota allow for carrying of any legal knife of any blade length apart from those stipulated. However, this doesn’t always apply to individual municipalities. For instance St. Paul and Minneapolis have almost similar ordinances, and both declare strict carrying rules than those of the state.
The Minneapolis knife law states that any knife which has a blade of above 4” in length is considered a weapon and thus can’t be carried concealed or openly within the city. However, it may be carried when inside a locked box or case during transportation. Woodbury, MN prohibits carrying of any knife with blades length of above 3” in public.
Conclusion
When the Minnesota knife law is simplified, then it means you can own any knife apart from metal knuckles and switchblades. You can also carry the knives you own concealed or open when you don’t have any intent to harm someone.
Sources
http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USKnife.pdf
