Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
Fixed blade knives may not be carried concealed or carried in a vehicle, subject to a few very limited exceptions.
Schools:
Schools are weapons free zones in Michigan.
Major Cities with Knife Ordinances:
Detroit and Lansing.
Automatics
Michigan knife law changed on October 10, 2017. Senate Bill 245, recently signed into law, eliminates the prohibition on the sale or possession of spring-assisted knives, referred to as “switch blades” in Michigan statutes. AKTI thanks the State Police for leading the initiative, and working with us to make it a reality.
Restricted Knives:
Out-the-front double edged automatic knives.
Concealment:
Fixed blade knives may not be carried concealed or carried in a vehicle. The exceptions to that rule are very limited:
(1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person.
(3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00.
MCL § 750.227. Violation of the foregoing statute is a felony punishable by imprisonment or a hefty fine.
So Michigan law prohibits a person from carrying a dagger, dirk, stiletto, or a double-edged, non-folding stabbing instrument of any length. The prohibition on “double-edged non-folding stabbing instrument of any length” means that, although automatics are now legal, an out-the-front double edged automatic would be prohibited under the amended statute. A double edged spear point knife cannot be carried in Michigan. A spear point knife with an unsharped false edge is not technically double-edged, but it might be classified as a dirk or dagger by a prosecutor.
The hunting knife exception is limited to actual hunting by the words “adopted and carried as such.” One should be cautious when carrying or possessing any fixed blade knife in Michigan.
Moreover, knives and other “dangerous weapons” may not be carried openly or concealed by someone with “unlawful intent”:
Carrying firearm or dangerous weapon with unlawful intent-Any person who, with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another, goes armed with a pistol or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument, shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than 2,500 dollars.
MCL § 750.226. Unfortunately, comparing MCL § 750.227 to the preceding statute, knife owners without criminal intent and who are otherwise completely law-abiding persons are not treated any differently from persons who intend to harm another. Michigan law blurs the distinction between acts that are evil in themselves and acts that are merely prohibited.
Critical Dimensions:
Michigan’s only blade length restriction is found in its concealed with criminal intent statute MCL § 750.227. See above.
Schools:
Schools are weapons free zones in Michigan.
Court Case Summaries:
Michigan v. Mata
Decided: January 21, 2003
Kershaw Speedsafe knife not banned by Michigan law prohibiting automatic knives.