Utah knife laws are broad and there is a lot to explain about the statutes. To make the laws easy to understand, this knife law article may help you a lot.
We are providing you the best explanations of the statutes.
Knife Carry & Possession Laws
Utah emphasizes the “dangerous weapons” the most. It is illegal to carry, own or possess any knife when that knife is considered as the dangerous one for some restricted people. But if someone can prove that he or she has the legal permit to own or carry that particular knife even though it is a dangerous weapon, this may not be illegal or banned.
There is a complete section about the restricted people in Utah’s knife laws. Otherwise, there is no knife that is illegal to own, possess, manufacture, carry both openly or concealed by the regular people.
Legal knives to own at a glance,
- Balisong or butterfly knives are legal.
- All sorts of pocket knives are legal.
- Switchblades and other automatic knives are legal.
- Gravity knives are legal.
- Knives that are hidden under stuff like a pen, cane, lipstick or belt buckles etc. are legal.
- Bowie knives and other large single-edged knives are legal.
- Dirks, daggers, and stilettos and other double-edged knives are legal.
- Throwing knives, throwing stars, nunchaku and other martial arts’ weapons are legal.
- Hunting, fishing or other utility knives are legal.
- All sorts of undetectable knives are legal.
Definition of dangerous weapon
Any knife can be considered as a dangerous weapon according to the law because it depends on the approach you make. The definition says that a dangerous weapon can be any kind of object or instrument which is used or made to use as well as intended to use to cause any serious bodily injury or even death.
So, a dangerous weapon can be anything including a regular pocket knife. As there is no blade size mentioned in the definition for the dangerous weapon, knives with any blade length can be threatening to the people if it is used as a dangerous one.
The code § 76-10-501 defines the dangerous weapon.
“(6) (a) “Dangerous weapon” means:
(i) a firearm; or
(ii) an object that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.”
Restricted People for the Dangerous Weapons
The law has divided the restricted people into a category I and category II. This section is longly descriptive. The restricted people are mentioned in the code “76-10-503: Restrictions on possession, purchase, transfer, and ownership of dangerous weapons by certain persons” in details.
The category I include people, who are,
- Convicted of a violent felony.
- On a parole for any felony and some others who are mentioned in the section 76-10-503.
It is a third-degree felony if a category I person owns, possesses, carries or purchases any dangerous weapon.
The category II include people, who are,
- Convicted or undercharge for a felony.
- Not the citizen of the United States or who are illegally living in the State.
- Dishonorably discharged from the State’s armed forces.
- A person who has rejected the citizenship even after being a citizen of the United States.
“(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) A Category I restricted a person is a person who:
(i) has been convicted of any violent felony as defined in Section 76-3-203.5;
(ii) is on probation or parole for any felony…… (iv)….”
“(b) A Category II restricted person is a person who:
(i) has been convicted of or is under indictment for any felony;
(ii) within the last seven years has been adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if committed by an adult would have been a felony….”
“….(viii) is an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;
(ix) has been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces; or
(x) has renounced his citizenship after having been a citizen of the United States.”
It is considered a class A misdemeanor of a category II person if he or she possesses, owns, carries or purchases any of the dangerous weapons.
It is legal for anyone to own, possess, carry, manufacture, purchase or buy, transport any knife including the dangerous ones unless he or she is included the restricted people.
Tips* But it is better to not to possess or carry such weapon or knife which claims you as a guilty. It depends on your approach or expression. If you try to harm anybody with your instrument or knife even it does not have any deadly component, you will be arrested immediately. Try to prove yourself as you are carrying or possessing the knife for any legal purposes. Avoid concealing knives in the trunk or under the car’s seat which can make you suspicious to the officer.
Knife Laws in the Schools
It is illegal to possess or carry any kind of dangerous weapon on the school premises. It is a class B misdemeanor if anyone violates the law.
The code “76-10-505.5: Possession of a dangerous weapon, on or about school premises – Penalties” explains this.
“(2) (a) Possession of a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B misdemeanor.”
Though who are authorized by the school administration to possess or carry these dangerous weapons, this section is not applicable for them. This section mentions those individuals also.
Final Words
There is no law for the minors and also no particular blade lengths for the knives in Utah. Only the dangerous weapon and the restricted people are the important factors here. Otherwise, you are free to own or possess and carry any knives unless you are on the restricted list.
Resources: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter10/76-10-S501.html
https://law.justia.com/codes/utah/2010/title76/76-10-505-5.html
https://law.justia.com/codes/utah/2006/title76/76_0c032.html
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