Idaho is recognized for its permissive and clear knife laws, offering broad rights to law-abiding adults while maintaining specific restrictions in certain contexts. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding your knife rights in Idaho as of 2025.
Key Principles of Idaho Knife Law
- No Statewide Ban on Knife Types: Idaho law does not ban the ownership or open carry of any specific type of knife, including switchblades, balisongs, or even swords.
- Statewide Preemption: Idaho enforces statewide preemption, meaning local governments cannot enact knife laws stricter than state law. This ensures consistency and prevents confusion for residents and travelers alike.
Ownership and Carry
| Type of Knife | Open Carry | Concealed Carry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket knives (<4″) | Legal | Legal | No permit needed |
| Large knives (>4″) | Legal | Permit may be required | See concealed carry rules |
| Swords/Katanas | Legal | Permit may be required | Treated as large knives |
| All knives | Legal | Legal with permit if >4″ blade | No outright bans |
Concealed Carry
- Constitutional Carry: Idaho allows “constitutional carry” for knives, meaning most adults 18+ can carry knives—openly or concealed—without a permit, except in specific circumstances.
- Blade Length and Concealed Carry: For knives with blades longer than 4 inches (such as dirks, daggers, and bowie knives), a concealed weapons permit may be required if you are within city limits. Outside city limits, adults 18+ may conceal carry without a permit.
- Exclusions: Knives used for food preparation or with blades 4 inches or less are not considered deadly weapons and are excluded from most restrictions.
Location-Based Restrictions
- Schools (K-12): Only pocketknives with blades under 2.5 inches are allowed on school grounds. All other knives are prohibited on school property and school buses.
- Courthouses, Jails, Detention Centers: Carrying any concealed weapon, including knives with blades longer than 6 inches, is prohibited in these locations.
- Other Restricted Areas: Carrying knives is generally not allowed in federal buildings, prisons, and nuclear facilities.
Minors and Knife Possession
- Under 18: Minors may carry pocketknives, but written parental permission is required for other knives. Selling certain knives (dirks, daggers, bowie knives) to minors is a misdemeanor.
- Under 12: Parental approval is required for any knife.
Intent and Use
- Intent Matters: While most knives are legal to own and carry, using or carrying a knife with the intent to harm or threaten others is a criminal offense, regardless of blade length or type.
- Self-Defense: Knives may be carried for self-defense, but misuse or threatening display can result in criminal charges.
Table: Idaho Knife Laws at a Glance
| Situation | Legal? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open carry, any knife | Yes | No blade length limit |
| Concealed carry, blade ≤4″ | Yes | No permit needed |
| Concealed carry, blade >4″ | Permit may be required | Especially within city limits |
| On school property | Only pocketknives <2.5″ blade | All others prohibited |
| In courthouses/jails | No, if blade >6″ | Concealed carry prohibited |
| Sale to minors (certain knives) | No | Misdemeanor for dirks, daggers, etc. |
| Statewide preemption | Yes | Local laws cannot override state law |
Best Practices
- Check blade length and location: Know the blade length of your knife and where you are carrying it, especially when entering schools or government buildings.
- Understand intent: Carry knives for lawful purposes only—using or displaying a knife in a threatening manner is illegal.
- For minors: Ensure proper permissions and avoid restricted knife types.
Idaho offers broad knife rights for adults, with statewide preemption ensuring consistent laws. Restrictions mainly concern concealed carry of large knives, schools, government buildings, and minors. Always carry responsibly and be aware of specific location-based rules to stay within the law.
Sources
[1] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/idaho/
[2] https://www.idahosheriffs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Idaho-CWL-Law-at-a-Glance-2020.pdf
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Idaho/comments/ogjll9/is_it_legal_for_me_to_keep_a_knife_in_a_sheath_on/
[4] https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/concealed-carry-in-idaho/
[5] https://katanzo.us/katana-laws-in-idaho/