Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
There are no limitations on concealed carry.
Schools:
Knives may not be possessed on school property.
Critical Dimensions:
None.
The Indiana State Constitution preserves for its people a right to bear arms.
The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the state.
IC Art. 1, § 32
The laws in Indiana regarding weapons and knives are found at Article 47, Chapter 5, entitled “Prohibited Instruments of Violence.”
As a general rule, Indiana is a state where knife owners need not be concerned about possession and concealment of knives, including auto-opening or assisted opening knives.
Forbidden:
The only illegal edged weapons in Indiana, described in the statute as “prohibited instruments of violence,” are ballistic knives and Chinese throwing stars. It is illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, display, giveaway or purchase either of these items.
A “Chinese throwing star,” is defined as a knife-like weapon with blades set at different angles. IC § 35-47-5-12. There was significant legislative amelioration of the law in Indiana regarding knives, which became effective in July of 2013.
Indiana has a statute that prohibits a person from selling or giving a deadly weapon to an intoxicated person or to any person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated. IC 35-47-4-1. This statute could be applied to knives or other edged weapons.
Sale/Transfer
Deadly weapons may not be sold or transferred to a minor. IC 35-47-2-7 and Indiana has a statute that prohibits a person from selling or giving a deadly weapon to an intoxicated person or to any person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated. This statute could be applied to knives or other edged weapons. IC35-47-4-1.
Concealment/Carrying:
There are no limitations on concealed carry, or for that matter, open carry.
Schools:
Knives of any type or length may not be possessed on school property. IC. 35-47-5-2.5.
The school property statute specifically prohibits a dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto, switchblade knife, or gravity knife. Notably the school property prohibition does not apply to knives secured in a motor vehicle. IC. 35-47-5-2.5(d)
Licensed Carry:
No. Applies to handguns/firearms only.
Statewide Preemption:
None.
Critical Dimensions:
None.