Wyoming knife laws are very short and rather vague. This article pieces together the statutes and case law so that anyone can understand what is legal and what is not when it comes to owning and carrying knives in the state of Wyoming.
What is Legal to Own
- It is legal to own a switchblade
- It is legal to own a Balisong, or butterfly knife
- It is legal to own a bowie knife
- It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, poniard, or other stabbing knife
- It is legal to own a stiletto
- It is legal to own a gravity knife
What is Illegal to Own
Wyoming law does not prohibit the ownership of any type of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
It is illegal to conceal carry a deadly weapon in Wyoming.
Definitions of Various Types of Knives
Neither the Wyoming statutes, nor the case law, offer a definition of any type of knife. This is likely due to the fact that the conceal carry statute does not mention any specific knife, but makes it illegal to conceal carry any ‘dangerous weapon’.
Definition of Deadly Weapon
Wyoming statute defines deadly weapon as a firearm, explosive or incendiary material, motorized vehicle, an animal or other device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury is also defined by statute as bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes miscarriage, severe disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any body part or organ.
In Conine v. State, the jury found that a frying pan, used by Conine to hit the victim during a fight, was a deadly weapon. Conine appealed his conviction, and the Supreme Court of Wyoming found that in order to find an instrument a deadly weapon, it did not have to cause serious bodily injury, it only had to be capable of doing so.
What the Law States
§ 6-8-104. Wearing or carrying concealed weapons; penalties; exceptions; permits.
(a) A person who wears or carries a concealed deadly weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both for a first offense, or a felony punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both, for a second or subsequent offense….
Conclusion on Wyoming Knife Law
It is illegal to conceal carry a deadly weapon in Wyoming.
It is legal to own and open carry any type of knife.
Sources
- Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-104 (2012)
- Wyo. Stat. § 6-1-104 (2012)
- Conine v. State, 197 P.3d 156 (2008 Wyo.)