Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
Yes.
Minors:
No restrictions.
Schools:
Knives may not be carried on school property including schools buses or at school functions.
Major Cities with Knife Ordinances:
Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport
At a Glance:
Effective August 1, 2022, the Louisiana law no longer prohibited “the intentional concealment” on one’s person of any automatic/switchblade knife.
Relevant Statutes:
LSA-R.S. 14:94. Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities
LSA-R.S. 14:95. Illegal carrying of weapons
LSA-R.S. 14:95.1. Possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by a person convicted of certain felonies
LSA-R.S. 14:95.2. Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone
LSA-R.S. 14:95.10. Possession of a firearm or carrying of a concealed weapon by a person convicted of domestic abuse battery and certain offenses of the battery of a dating partner
Restricted Knives:
None.
Concealed Carry:
There is no issue as to open or concealed carry of knives.
Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:
None.
Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations/Circumstances:
Knives may not be carried on the property of elementary, secondary, high schools, or vocational-technical schools. This restriction also applies to school buses and school functions/activities.
Statewide Preemption:
Yes. SB194 effective August 1, 2024.
Discussion:
Automatic Knives
(Bias Toward Closure)
In May of 2012, an amendment to the Louisiana law, initiated by AKTI, incorporated the bias toward closure concept into 14:95 and clarified that various one-hand operable knives could be legally owned and carried in that state. This amendment remains as sub-part (4) (b) of 14:95. Thus, there is no issue with respect to ‘assisted opening’ knives or other types using a thumb stud or declivity to enable one-hand use.
Updated August 1, 2024.