Knife carrying laws both openly or concealed is very strict(see also new york knife law) in Oklahoma but knife owning laws are very relaxed here.
There is no restriction for owning, possessing or selling any knives but you need to be aware of the knives you are carrying out there.
Knife Possession Laws in Oklahoma
There is no limitation or prohibition to own or possess, buy, sell, manufacture any knives with any blade lengths anywhere except for the restricted places like schools, government places or public gatherings etc.
Knives that are Legal
Except for the restrictions on carrying knife issues, all kind of knives is legal to own or possess in the private houses or private properties. After purchasing a knife while bringing it to the house might count carrying it.
So, you need to be careful with it and in that case, lock the knife in a trunk and keep it out of your reach in the car.
Knives that are legal and you can own or possess in your home in Oklahoma are,
- All kinds of pocket knives are legal.
- Balisong knives are legal.
- Ballistic knives are legal.
- Sword canes are legal.
- Switchblades, gravity knives, and other automatic knives are legal.
- Knives that are disguised under pen, cane, lipstick or belt buckles etc. are legal.
- Dirks, daggers, stilettos and other double-edged knives are legal.
- Bowie knives and other large single-edged knives are legal.
- All sorts of undetectable knives are legal.
These knives are completely legal to own, possess, manufacture, buy or sell in Oklahoma. But you cannot carry most of them outside of your home.
Know more about the knife carrying laws below.
Knife Carrying Laws
According to Oklahoma knife laws; there is no particular law about the knife concealing issue like most other States because here carrying knives openly is very strict.
It is mentioned in the statute clearly that; carrying dirks, daggers, Bowie knives, switchblades, any kind of automatic knives, sword canes, metal knuckles, blackjacks etc. or any kind of other offensive weapons both concealed or openly is completely unlawful or illegal. Anyone should avoid carrying these sorts of knives openly or in a purse, container, trunk or anywhere concealed that belongs to him/her.
The code “21 OK Stat § 21-1272 (2014)” states about the “UNLAWFUL CARRY”
“A. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry upon or about his or her person, or in a purse or other container belonging to the person… any dagger, bowie knife, dirk knife, switchblade knife, sword cane, knife having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, blackjack, loaded cane, billy, hand chain, metal knuckles, or any other offensive weapon, whether such weapon be concealed or unconcealed,”
*‘Offensive weapons’ include tomahawks, axes, machetes and throwing stars.
Updated Law: A bill was passed on November 2015 that switchblades and other automatic knives were removed from the illegal weapons’ list.
Bowie knives, Dirks, daggers, and sword canes are also no longer in the list of illegal weapons to carry from the updated statutes of November 2016. So, these five items can now be carried both openly or concealed and that won’t be illegal.
Exceptions
The section mentioned above is not allowed for the exceptions explained to the following.
- If the illegal knives or weapons are used for lawful hunting, fishing, trapping, sporting, recreational and educational purposes.
- When a person has the authorization or permission to carry such illegal weapons or knives from the State.
- Peace officers, law enforcement officers or other authorized people by the State on their official duties can carry or possess these weapons or knives.
- Weapons or knives can be carried by a district judge and related to those duty-holders in a courthouse and that would not be illegal.
- These illegal knives or prohibited weapons can be used or carried for displaying the living history reenactment.
Know more in the code “21 OK Stat § 21-1272 (2014)”.
“Except this section shall not prohibit:
- The proper use of guns and knives for hunting, fishing, educational or recreational purposes;
- The carrying or use of weapons in a manner otherwise permitted by statute or authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;
- The carrying, possession, and use of any weapon by a peace officer or other person authorized by law to carry a weapon in the performance of official duties…
- The carrying or use of weapons in a courthouse by a district judge…
- The carrying and use of firearms and other weapons provided in this subsection when used for the purpose of living history reenactment…”
Blade Lengths of the Knives
The particular blade length for the knives is 3” and less than that. Though carrying knives is illegal here. But this is an ideal length for the knives or ordinary pocket knives. Also, the recently updated legal knives such as switchblades and others are also required to be carried within this limit.
Knife Laws in the Schools
Oklahoma strictly prohibits knives and weapons in the schools and other educational institutions. Possession of knives in the school ground is a felony.
Final Words
Knife law in Oklahoma emphasizes the knife carry law the most which are very important. Possessing or owning any knives on your private premises is legal here but you are not allowed to carry them outside. And when you do, you must have some reason behind it.
Carrying dangerous or offensive knives outside are for bad intentions most of the time. But if you still have another reason, this is totally onto you to prove yourself as not a guilty.
As this State specifically mentions the illegality of knife carrying both openly or concealed, it is better to avoid the risk factor and getting into trouble.
Resources: https://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2014/title-21/section-21-1272/
https://law.justia.com/citations.html
http://law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/2014/title-21/section-21-1272
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20ENR/hB/HB1911%20ENR.PDF
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