American Knife and Tool Institute

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • Join Today
  • Login

Keeping Knives in American Lives Since 1998

  • About
    • History and Successes
    • Board of Regents
    • Advisory Members
    • Premier Members
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Refund Policy
    • Terms of Service
  • Membership
    • Knife Industry Memberships
    • Individual Memberships
    • Be a Grassroots Supporter!
  • Legislation
    • Follow Current Knife Legislation
    • Finding Knife Laws
    • Contacting Legislators
    • How a Bill Becomes Law
  • Education
    • Knives Save Lives!
    • Kids and Knives
    • Traveling With a Knife
    • For Law Enforcement
    • For Legislators
    • The Ivory Ban
  • News & Events
    • Latest AKTI News
    • Industry News
    • Action Alerts
    • Upcoming Events
    • Carry With Confidence Giveaway
    • Free to Carry
  • Resources
    • Career Center
    • Knife Industry Resources
      • Knife Standards
      • Brand Protection
      • Social Media Censorship Initiative
      • Proposition 65
    • Knife Owner Resources
      • Encounters With Law Enforcement
      • Traveling With a Knife
      • The Legal Edge
      • Brandishing a Knife
      • Schools and Knife Laws
      • AKTI Monthly Knife Auction
    • Counterfeit Knives
    • Brochures & Handouts
    • For Media
    • Buy an AKTI Luggage Tag
  • State Knife Laws
    • State Auto-Open Laws
    • About Statewide Knife Preemption
    • Know Your Knife Laws
    • Federal Switchblade Act
    • Encounters With Law Enforcement
    • Court Case Summaries
    • The Legal Edge

Indiana Knife Laws

Quick Legal Facts

Indiana

Statewide Preemption:

Yes.

Concealed Carry:

There are no limitations on concealed carry.

Schools:

Knives may not be possessed on school property, if intended to be used as a weapon.

Critical Dimensions:

None.

At a Glance:

The public carry of knives is not generally restricted in Indiana.

Relevant Statutes:

35-47-5-2 Knife with blade that opens automatically or may be propelled
35-47-5-2.5 Possession of knife on school property; violations; exceptions
35-47-5-12 Chinese throwing star defined; related offenses

Restricted Knives:

It is unlawful to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase Ballistic knives and “Chinese throwing stars.”

Concealed Carry:

Concealment is not an issue.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:

It is unlawful to manufacture, possess, display, offer, sell, lend, give away, or purchase Ballistic knives and “Chinese throwing stars.”

Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations/Circumstances:

It is unlawful to possess any cutting instrument or knife which is “intended to be used as a weapon,” on school grounds.

Statewide preemption:

Yes.  Uniformity of law pertaining to crimes and punishments obtains throughout the state.

Selected Indiana cities with knife restrictive ordinances:

Indianapolis – § 451-1. Sharp objects or instruments on the person.

South Bend – None noted.

Fort Wayne – None noted.

Discussion:

Automatic Knives

A prohibition pertaining to automatic knives enacted in 1957 was removed in 2013. While the caption of 35-47-5-2 Knife with blade that opens automatically or may be propelled, contains the words “blade that opens automatically”, the statute proscribes ballistic knives only. See AKTI Approved Definitions.

Chinese Throwing Star

35-47-5-12 Chinese throwing star defined; related offenses defines “Chinese throwing star” as “a throwing-knife, throwing-iron, or other knife-like weapons with blades set at different angles.”

Most members of the knife community will appreciate that the Indiana legislature intended to restrict that category of items often referred to as shuriken and which were developed by the Samurai in feudal Japan.

The definition uses the plural “blades” and further describes the “blades” as being “set at different angles.” Accordingly, we do not interpret this statute as restricting a “throwing knife” if it has a single “blade.”

Preemption

The Indiana State Constitution per Article 4 sections 22 and 23 requires uniformity with respect to crimes and punishments.  Moreover, Article 1, Chapter 2 of the Indiana Code § 2 states that “Crimes shall be defined and punishment therefor fixed by statutes of this state and not otherwise.  We note that the City of Indianapolis Marion County Municipal Code contains a provision relating to “sharp objects,” namely § 451-1. Sharp objects or instruments on the person. That municipal code contains a state law reference table. There is no corresponding state law for § 451-1. Enforceability of the ordinance may be unconstitutional.

Consequences

Violations of  35-47-5-2 (ballistic knives) and 35-47-5-2.5 (possession of knife on school property) are Class B misdemeanors punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Possession of a “Chinese throwing star” is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of not more than $500.

Exemptions/Exceptions

There are no exemptions for law enforcement, military, or government officials pertaining to the restricted items mentioned above. Schools may authorize possession of knives for specific purposes. Knives secured in a locked vehicle are exempt.

_________

Updated September 9, 2022, by Daniel C. Lawson

This information is presented as a brief synopsis of the law and not as legal advice. AKTI is not, and cannot be, a legal service provider. Use of the site does not create a lawyer/client relationship. Laws are interpreted differently by enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and judges. AKTI suggests that you consult legal counsel for guidance.

The complete State Knife law information is now available to AKTI members and non-members alike. If you find the State Knife Laws useful please consider an AKTI membership or making a contribution to AKTI.

Last Revised: September 13, 2022

Back to all AKTI State Knife Laws

Take Action

  • Become a Member (Industry)
  • Become a Member (Individual)
  • Stay Informed
Make a Contribution

Popular Resources

  • AKTI Knife Auction
  • AKTI Approved Knife Definitions
  • State Knife Laws
  • State Auto-Open Laws
  • What Every Knife Owner Should Know
  • Traveling with Knives
American Knife & Tool Institute

14 hours ago

American Knife & Tool Institute
What is Concealed? Many knife laws contain a section on concealing knives. Which knives are included, and when is a knife “concealed?”www.akti.org/concerning-concealment/#KnowYourKnifeLaws #CarryWithConfidence #AKTI ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

As a nonprofit association, AKTI’s role is to be the reasonable and responsible advocate for the knife-making and knife-using community; educating, promoting and informing that knives are important tools.

Copyright © American Knife and Tool Institute, all rights reserved
22 Vista View Ln, Cody, WY 82414
307-587-8296
Privacy & Security
| Terms of Service

  • Home
  • About
  • Membership
  • Legislation
  • Education
  • Brand Protection
  • Contribute Today
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact

Follow AKTI:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Account

  • Login