Knife laws in Florida consider the only ballistic knife as an illegal one. Concealment of a knife is an issue unless been licensed.
Overall, Florida’s knife laws are quite friendly once you get to know them.
Illegal knives and other restrictions
According to the knife laws in Florida, ballistic knives or self-propelled knives are illegal. This sort of knife is illegal to carry, own, manufacture, display, sell or buy and anything. In a word, ballistic knives are completely banned in Florida since 1985’s knife laws.
The code 790.225 (2011) clearly tells about the illegality of ballistic knives in Florida.
790.225 Ballistic self-propelled knives; unlawful to manufacture, sell, or possess; forfeiture; penalty.—
”(1)It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, display, sell, own, possess, or use a ballistic self-propelled knife which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as a projectile and which physically separates the blade from the device by means of a coil spring, elastic material, or compressed gas. A ballistic self-propelled knife is declared to be a dangerous or deadly weapon and a contraband item. It shall be subject to seizure and shall be disposed of.”
Laws of concealing a knife
You can open-carry a knife anywhere but whenever it is about concealing, the law becomes strict.
Concealing a knife is considered as a deadly or dangerous weapon. A common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife are legal to carry concealed but the blade size of the knife must be under 4 inches.
A “common pocketknife” is “a type of knife occurring frequently in the community, which has a blade that folds into the handle and that can be carried in one’s pocket.”
The common pocketknife does not include such features as a “combat-style grip”; “large metal hilt guard” or a “notched, combat-style grip.” It also does not include a switchblade or double-edged blade. Source: K.H. v. the State of Florida, 29 So.3d 426 (2010).
The law defines it the best in code 790.001.
“790.001(3) (a) “Concealed weapon” means any dirk, metallic knuckles, Billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapons (except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife) carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person.”
A person who is not licensed for a dangerous weapon and conceals one, he/she commits the misdemeanor of the first degree which is punishable. The code 790.01 says,
790.01 Unlicensed carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms.—
“(1)Except as provided in subsection (3), a person who is not licensed under s. 790.06 and who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.”
Some exceptions are here. Box cutters, multi-tools and these sorts of knives can be concealed for the working purposes as working tools.
Blade size of the knives
According to Florida knife laws, there is no blade length limit for knives to be restricted or illegal.
But for a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife, “4 inches” is a fixed and legal size for the blades otherwise concealing these knives would be illegal.
Licensing a dangerous knife- a permit for carrying knives in schools and other institutions/places
Usually, a person cannot carry a knife in school premises unless he/she has a permit or a license.
A license of a dangerous knife can get you a permit for carrying these dangerous knives in schools as well as universities or kindergarten and even other particular locations. The code 790.06 License to carry concealed weapon or firearm explains thoroughly about these.
Knife laws for the minors in Florida
It is illegal to sell, transfer or carry any knife under the age of 18 or any person of unsound mind other than pocket knives. Other knives will be legal to give any minor (less than 18 years) unless there is a permit from the guardian or parents.
The code 790.17 says in details about it,
790.17 Furnishing weapons to minors under 18 years of age or persons of unsound mind and furnishing firearms to minors under 18 years of age prohibited.—
”(1)A person who sells, hires, barters, lends, transfers, or gives any minor under 18 years of age any dirk, electric weapon or device, or other weapon, other than an ordinary pocketknife, without permission of the minor’s parent or guardian, or sells, hires, barters, lends, transfers, or gives to any person of unsound mind an electric weapon or device or any dangerous weapon, other than an ordinary pocketknife, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2)(a)A person may not knowingly or willfully sell or transfer a firearm to a minor under 18 years of age, except that a person may transfer ownership of a firearm to a minor with permission of the parent or guardian. A person who violates this paragraph commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(b)The parent or guardian must maintain possession of the firearm except pursuant to s.790.22.”
Legal knives in Florida
Other than the ballistic knives, there are no knives illegal to carry, sell or buy in Florida.
- Belt knives, cane knives, pen knives, lipstick knives and other disguised knives are legal.
- Bowie knives and other large knives are legal.
- Balisong knives are legal.
- Undetectable knives are legal.
- Throwing stars and other martial arts weapons are legal.
Sum up to the knife laws in Florida
Knife laws in Florida are quite easy to remember. A big NO for the “Ballistic knives” and some other formal regulations like licensing the deadly weapons, age limitations and concealment issues (friendly) – overall the knife laws in Florida are user-friendly.
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