Missouri Knife Laws: State Rules & Nuances

Missouri lets you own and carry most knives without state-level trouble, and that has been the case since 2012, when the legislature stripped away older restrictions on automatic knives. But the state’s permissive posture at the Capitol building does not mean you can carry any blade however you want, wherever you want. 

Concealed carry rules still apply to knives that fall outside the “ordinary pocketknife” category, and a patchwork of local ordinances in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City can tighten things further. 

If you carry a knife in Missouri and assume the rules are the same in every town, you are making a mistake that could cost you a felony charge. The law here requires you to pay attention to definitions, locations, and city codes, all of which are covered below.

Where Missouri Draws the Line on Knife Carry

• Missouri has no blanket ban on any specific type of knife under state law.

• Switchblades and automatic knives have been legal to possess and carry in Missouri since 2012.

• An “ordinary pocketknife” is defined as a folding knife with a blade no longer than 4 inches, and may be carried concealed without restriction.

• Concealed carry of knives larger than the ordinary pocketknife is restricted in 17 specific locations under RSMo 571.107.

• A concealed carry permit exempts the holder from location-based restrictions on concealed knives.

• Violating concealed carry laws can result in a class D felony, which may carry up to 7 years in prison.

• Missouri lacks statewide preemption for knife laws, allowing cities and towns to enact stricter regulations.

• Some municipalities set concealed blade length limits as low as 2.5 inches.

• Open carry of any legal knife is permitted statewide.

How Missouri Defines a “Knife” Under State Law

RSMo Section 571.010 breaks knives into two categories, and the distinction between them determines what you can and cannot do with the blade on your person.

• The first category is the “ordinary pocketknife.” This is a folding knife with a blade no longer than 4 inches. If your knife fits this description, it is largely unrestricted. You can carry it concealed without a permit or worry about location-based restrictions.

• The second category includes daggers, dirks, stilettos, and other bladed hand instruments capable of causing serious injury or death. For these knives, concealed carry rules apply, and restrictions vary by location.

A “switchblade knife” has its own definition in the statute. It refers to any knife whose blade folds into the handle and opens automatically when pressed, by gravity, or by centrifugal force. Missouri removed state-level prohibitions on switchblades in 2012.

The statute still states that possessing or selling a switchblade “in violation of federal law” is a violation. Still, the Federal Switchblade Act of 1958 does not apply to someone in Missouri who possesses, carries, makes, or handles an automatic knife within the state.

What You Can Legally Own and Carry

Missouri law does not restrict ownership of dirks, stilettos, balisong knives, throwing stars, throwing knives, Bowie knives, undetectable knives, or automatic knives. No state-level ban exists on any specific type of blade.

Open carry of any legal knife is permitted statewide.

If you hold a concealed carry permit, you are exempt from location-based restrictions on concealed carry under RSMo 571.030(4). This is a meaningful exemption for anyone who regularly carries a larger blade.

Concealed Carry Restrictions and Restricted Locations

Under RSMo 571.030, you commit unlawful use of weapons if you knowingly carry concealed a knife (outside the ordinary pocketknife category), firearm, blackjack, or other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any area restricted under Section 571.107.

Section 571.107 lists 17 restricted locations. Some of the more common ones include:

• Police stations

• Polling places within 25 feet on election day

• Detention facilities and jails

• Courthouses

• Government buildings

Carrying a concealed knife into one of these locations without a permit can result in serious legal consequences. The penalty structure is covered below.

How Courts Have Interpreted Concealment

Missouri courts have handled several cases that clarify what "concealed" means and what qualifies as a restricted weapon. These rulings matter because they set the standard for law enforcement and prosecutors.

• State v. Dowdy (1986) established that a paring knife concealed on a person’s body was a “knife” under Missouri law and could not be carried concealed. The blade did not need to be a traditional fighting knife to fall within the statute.

• State v. Rowe (2002) involved a knife with a 6-inch blade, hidden in a truck door pocket. The handle was partially visible, but the court found it still concealed because it was not readily recognizable as part of a weapon. The court also stated that, for a concealed-carry conviction, the knife must be within the person’s easy reach.

• State v. Raff-Covington (2013) set the broader test for concealment. The standard is whether the weapon is discernible by ordinary observation. If a reasonable person looking at you would not notice the weapon, it is concealed.

Penalties for Knife Law Violations

The consequences for violating Missouri’s knife statutes range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the circumstances.

Prior criminal history can increase the severity of sentencing. If a knife is used during an assault or robbery, the weapons charge stacks on top of whatever other charges the prosecution brings.

Local Ordinances and the Preemption Problem

This is where things get complicated and where most people are likely to trip up. Missouri does not have statewide preemption for knife laws. The state does preempt the entire field of firearms legislation, meaning local governments cannot pass their own gun laws. But that protection does not extend to knives.

The result is a patchwork of local rules that vary from town to town. St. Louis City ordinances explicitly prohibit the concealed carry of certain knives, including Bowie knives, dirk knives, and daggers. Some municipalities also restrict the open carry of certain weapons in public places.

Blade length limits for concealed carry also vary. Some towns allow concealed carry of blades under 3.5 inches, while others set the limit at 2.5 inches. There is no single standard across the state.

Travelers carrying knives across Missouri should check municipal codes for each city or county, as local ordinances may differ from state law and are enforced by local authorities.

Practical Recommendations

• Carry an ordinary pocketknife with a blade of 4 inches or less if you want to avoid concealed carry issues at the state level.

• If you carry a larger knife concealed, obtain a concealed carry weapon permit to take advantage of the exemption under RSMo 571.030(4).

• Before traveling to a new city or county in Missouri, check the local municipal code for blade length limits and carry restrictions.

• Keep any openly carried knife visible and identifiable as a knife to avoid concealment arguments based on the Raff-Covington standard.

• If you are stopped by law enforcement, be aware that the court standard for concealment is whether the weapon is discernible by ordinary observation.

Statewide Freedom, Local Limits

At the state level, Missouri’s knife laws allow the ownership and carry of most knives, provided that concealed-carry restrictions at specific locations are followed.

Local ordinances may impose stricter rules, as the absence of statewide preemption grants municipalities legal authority.

A knife permitted in rural Missouri may be prohibited in St. Louis. Awareness of both state and local laws helps prevent legal issues.