Louisiana had knife restrictions that varied by city. Between 2012 and 2024, the state rolled back nearly every restriction on knife ownership, concealed carry, and blade type.
A switchblade that would have gotten you arrested in New Orleans 10 years ago is now legal to carry concealed anywhere in the state, with a few location-based exceptions.
If you own knives, carry them for work, or collect them as a hobby, Louisiana’s current laws are worth reading. They are among the most permissive in the country. The 2024 preemption law means local cities can no longer tighten rules beyond what the state allows.
How Louisiana Handles Knife Carry
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All knife types are legal to own and carry in Louisiana, including switchblades, balisongs, Bowie knives, dirks, daggers, and out-the-front knives.
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There is no blade length restriction anywhere in Louisiana’s state law.
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Both open carry and concealed carry of all knives are permitted.
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The 2024 preemption law (SB 194) prevents local municipalities from enforcing knife restrictions stricter than state law.
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Knives are still prohibited on school property, school buses, school-sponsored events, and within 1,000 feet of school grounds.
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Penalties for illegal carry range from a $500 fine and 6 months in jail on a first offense to up to 10 years without parole on a third offense.
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Law enforcement officers on duty are exempt from the carry restrictions under RS 14:95.
What Knives Are Legal in Louisiana?
As of early 2026, Louisiana places no restrictions on the type of knife you can own or carry. The following are all legal:
|
Knife Type |
Legal to Own |
Legal to Carry (Open) |
Legal to Carry (Concealed) |
|
Folding knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Fixed blade knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Switchblades/Automatic knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Assisted-opening knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Bowie knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dirks and daggers |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Butterfly/Balisong knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Out-the-front knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Throwing knives |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
There is no mention of blade length in any part of Louisiana’s state law. You can carry a 2-inch pocket knife or a 12-inch Bowie knife, and the law treats them the same way.
How Louisiana Got Here: A Decade of Reform
The current state of Louisiana knife law is the result of a series of legislative steps taken over about 12 years.
In 2012, Louisiana amended RS 14:95 to incorporate the bias-toward-closure concept. This effort, initiated by the American Knife and Tool Institute, confirmed that assisted-opening knives, knives with thumb studs, and other one-handed operable knives are legal to own and carry. Before this, ambiguity in the law created problems for people carrying common folding knives.
In 2018, the state repealed its ban on switchblades. In 2021, it removed the prohibition on concealed carry of knives, though switchblades were still excluded at that point. That last gap closed on August 1, 2022, when concealing a switchblade or an automatic knife on your person became legal.
In 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed SB 194 into law, and it took effect on August 1, 2024. This bill included preemption language that prevents cities and parishes from enforcing knife laws stricter than those allowed by the state.
What the 2024 Preemption Law Means for You
Before preemption, different Louisiana cities had their own knife ordinances that sometimes contradicted state law. Baton Rouge prohibited switchblades under ordinance 13:95. New Orleans banned possession and carry of switchblades under ordinance 54-342. Shreveport restricted the possession of weapons at government facilities under Ordinance 50-135.2.
If you traveled through the state carrying a knife that was legal at the state level, you could still run into trouble at the city level. SB 194 put an end to that. The law requires political subdivisions to repeal any local ordinances or regulations that are more restrictive than state law. They were given 6 months from the date of enactment to do so.
This means that, as of early 2026, no city in Louisiana should have enforceable knife restrictions beyond the state framework.
Where You Cannot Carry a Knife
Louisiana’s permissive approach has exceptions tied to specific locations rather than to specific knife types.
Under RS 14:95.2, you cannot carry any dangerous weapon in the following places:
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Elementary school property
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Secondary and high school property
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Vocational-technical school property
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School buses
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School-sponsored functions and activities
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Within 1,000 feet of school property
This restriction applies to all dangerous weapons, not only knives. The 1,000-foot buffer zone around school property covers a large area in urban areas. If you live near a school or your daily routine takes you past one, keep this in mind.
Penalties Under Louisiana Law
Louisiana’s penalty structure for illegal carrying of weapons under RS 14:95 escalates with each conviction.
|
Offense |
Fine |
Imprisonment |
|
First conviction |
Up to $500 |
Up to 6 months |
|
Second conviction |
N/A |
Up to 5 years (with or without hard labor) |
|
Third and subsequent convictions |
N/A |
Up to 10 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence |
Louisiana imposes enhanced penalties in certain circumstances. If a dangerous weapon is used or possessed during a crime of violence or in connection with the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, penalties can reach a $10,000 fine and 5 to 10 years of hard labor. The escalation from a first offense to subsequent violations is steep.
Law Enforcement Exemptions
The restrictions under RS 14:95 do not apply to certain categories of law enforcement personnel when they are performing their official duties. This includes:
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Sheriffs and their deputies
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State and city police
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Constables and town marshals
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Any person vested with police power during official duty
The law also specifically allows commissioned full-time law enforcement officers to own and carry rescue knives while on duty.
Practical Considerations for Carrying in Louisiana
Since there are no blade-length limits or type restrictions at the state level, location becomes the key factor. School zones are the primary restricted areas, and violations can carry serious penalties.
If you are traveling through Louisiana from another state, the preemption law works in your favor. You do not need to research individual city ordinances because the state framework overrides them. A knife that is legal to carry in Shreveport is legal to carry in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and throughout the state.
The law does not protect you if a knife is used or possessed in connection with criminal activity. The enhanced penalties for weapons involvement during violent crimes or drug offenses apply regardless of the type of weapon, and knives fall within that category.
Carrying Knives at Work
Louisiana law does not include specific provisions regarding the carrying of knives in workplaces. Private employers can set their own policies about what employees may or may not bring onto company property.
State law permits the carry, but your employer’s rules may not. This is a matter of company policy rather than criminal law, so the consequences would be employment-related rather than criminal, unless you are on a school campus or another restricted location.
What to Keep in Mind in the Future
Louisiana allows broad knife ownership and carry, with no state-level blade-length restrictions and strong preemption protections. For most residents and visitors, the rules are simple.
Where people run into trouble is the location. School zones and certain designated areas remain restricted, and penalties escalate with repeat offenses. Before carrying in Louisiana, review the current state law to confirm where restrictions still apply.
