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.
At a Glance:
The State of Indiana forbids the possession of ballistic knives and “Chinese throwing stars.” The possession and carry of knives is otherwise unrestricted with the exception of school grounds.
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:
None.
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 weapon 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.”
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 up to $500.
Law Enforcement/Military
There are no statutory exemptions whereby police or military members may possess or carry ballistic knives or throwing stars.
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Updated August 3, 2020, by Daniel C. Lawson