Understanding your knife rights in Washington requires navigating a patchwork of state statutes, local ordinances, and ongoing legislative changes. Here’s a comprehensive legal guide to help you stay informed and compliant as of 2025.
Legal Knife Types and Ownership
Washington generally permits the ownership and open carry of many types of knives, including:
- Pocket knives
- Folding knives
- Bowie knives
- Dirks and daggers
- Stilettos
However, certain knives remain illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess. As of early 2025, switchblades (automatic knives), gravity knives, and butterfly knives are prohibited. Legislation is under consideration to repeal the ban on automatic knives, but until it takes effect (potentially July 1, 2025), these remain restricted.
Open Carry vs. Concealed Carry
Open Carry:
You may openly carry most legal knives, including large fixed-blade knives, in public. There is no state blade length limit for open carry, but local ordinances (such as in Seattle) may impose stricter rules, so always check city or county laws.
Concealed Carry:
Washington law makes it a crime to carry with intent to conceal any “dangerous weapon,” which includes daggers, dirks, and other fixed-blade knives. Concealed carry of knives with blades longer than 3.5 inches is generally prohibited, unless you are engaged in lawful hunting, fishing, or similar activities. Switchblades and gravity knives are illegal to conceal or carry at all.
Intent is key: The law focuses on whether you intended to hide the weapon, not just whether it was hidden. If you are found concealing a dangerous knife, you could face criminal charges.
Restricted Locations
Carrying knives is strictly prohibited in several places, regardless of type or carry method:
- Schools: Knives and other dangerous weapons are banned on all school property.
- Government buildings: Courts, law enforcement offices, and other government facilities prohibit knives.
- Public transport: Carrying knives on public transportation is illegal.
- Private property: Property owners can set their own restrictions, and violating posted rules can result in trespassing charges.
Age Restrictions
There is no specific state law setting a minimum age for purchasing knives, but minors face more restrictions on carrying them, especially in public or in sensitive locations like schools. Retailers may also refuse sales to minors as a matter of policy.
Local Ordinances and Preemption
Washington does not have statewide preemption for knife laws. This means cities and counties can enact their own, often stricter, regulations. For example, Seattle limits concealed blades to 3.5 inches and bans carrying fixed blades unless related to your trade. Always check local laws before carrying a knife in a new area.
Brandishing and Use
Brandishing or drawing a knife in a manner that intimidates others is illegal and can lead to criminal charges, even if the knife itself is legal to carry. Use knives responsibly and avoid displaying them in public unless necessary for work or recreation.
Upcoming Legal Changes
A bill to legalize automatic knives (switchblades) has passed the state Senate and may take effect as early as July 1, 2025, if signed into law. Stay updated on legislative developments, as this could significantly change what knives are legal to possess and carry in Washington.
Table: Washington Knife Laws (2025)
| Category | Legal Status/Notes |
|---|---|
| Open carry | Allowed for most knives; check local ordinances |
| Concealed carry | Generally prohibited for fixed blades and blades >3.5″ |
| Switchblades/gravity | Illegal (may change July 2025) |
| Schools/government | Knives strictly prohibited |
| Local laws | May be stricter than state law; no preemption |
| Minimum age | No state minimum, but minors face more restrictions |
| Brandishing | Illegal if used to intimidate |
You can own and openly carry many types of knives in Washington, but concealed carry is tightly restricted, and certain knives remain illegal until new laws take effect. Always check local regulations and use knives responsibly to avoid legal trouble.
Sources
[1] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/washington/
[2] https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/washington-knife-laws/
[3] https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5534%20SBR%20LAW%20OC%2025.pdf
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/WA_guns/comments/1bf8lik/wa_state_knife_laws/
[5] https://www.akti.org/news/washington-auto-repeal-reintroduced/