North Dakota knife law is short but very disorganized, and can be difficult to find and understand. This article puts the law in an organized and easy to understand order and language, telling you exactly what is legal and what is not legal when owning and carrying knives in the state of North Dakota.
What is Legal to Own
It is legal to own any type of knife in North Dakota. North Dakota has no laws making it a crime to own any kind of knife.
Restrictions on Carry
- It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife or switchblade
- It is illegal to conceal carry a machete
- It is illegal to conceal carry a scimitar, backsword, or sabre
- It is illegal to conceal carry a stiletto
- It is illegal to conceal carry a sword
- It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk or dagger
- It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer
- It is legal to open carry any type of knife
What the Law States
62.1-04-02. Carrying concealed firearms or dangerous weapons prohibited.
No person, other than a law enforcement officer, may carry any firearm or dangerous weapon concealed unless the person is licensed to do so or exempted pursuant to this chapter…
Definition of Concealed
North Dakota considers a dangerous weapon concealed if it is worn on the body or kept in a vehicle where it is within reach of the carrier and is not discernible as a weapon by ordinary observation. The statute provides that a dangerous weapon is not concealed if it is locked in a trunk or luggage compartment of a vehicle, carried in a holster or case where it is wholly or substantially visible, or carried in any manner while lawfully hunting, trapping, or target shooting.
Definition of Dangerous Weapon
Under North Dakota law, “dangerous weapon” includes any switchblade or gravity knife machete, scimitar, stiletto, sword, dagger, or any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer.
License to Carry a Dangerous Weapon
A North Dakota resident may obtain a permit to carry a concealed dangerous weapon upon a showing that he or she has a valid reason for conceal carrying the weapon, including self protection or for work-related purposes. In order to issued a permit to carry a concealed dangerous weapon an applicant must be twenty-one years of age (eighteen for a class 2 license), not have been adjudicated by a Court of law as mentally incompetent, qualified to purchase and possess a firearm under federal law, and never convicted of a/an:
- felony
- crime of violence
- offense involving the use of alcohol
- offense involving the unlawful use of narcotics or other controlled substances
- offense involving moral turpitude
- offense involving domestic violence
Applicants must also successfully complete a classroom course, pass an open book test, demonstrate familiarity with a firearm or dangerous weapon, and complete an actual shooting or certified proficiency test.
Conclusion on North Dakota Knife Law
North Dakota knife law is short and to the point. It allows for the ownership and open carry of any type of knife.
It is illegal to conceal carry gravity knives, switchblades, dirks, daggers, stilettos, scimitar, swords, or any knife with a blade 5 inches or longer.
Sources
- N.D. Cent. Code, § 12.1-01-04 (2013)
- N.D. Cent. Code, § 62.1-04-01 (2013)
- N.D. Cent. Code, § 62.1-04-02 (2013)
What does it say about an ax or battle ax?
Please do not carry around an ax. Especially not a battle ax.
“Grey states” like North Dakota leave it up to the police officers on site/duty to determine weather something is being carried with utilitarian or violent purpose. Even if it’s for your job, common sense will keep you out of jail and away from conviction
A professional chef will raise some eyebrows and scare people if he’s carrying around his best kitchen knife outside of a transport container.
A martial arts instructor will probably prompt a call to the police if there’s a sword on her hip.
A person carrying an ax (battle or otherwise) that isn’t in a bag or box will usually invite the attention of the law. Or at the very least be asked to leave the area.
If you need an ax for your job, or you’re just an avid ax enthusiast, you’ll be fine if you keep it in the box while in public.
If you have a safety concern so severe that you feel the need to carry an ax with you, it’d be a much better idea to voice your safety concerns about the area/situation to the police, apply for a conceal carry permit, and, if possible, purchase a firearm.
If you just want to carry around a weapon because you can, then at least be honest and stick to pepper spray and a good combat knife. If it’s a big knife you might still get some attention, but its WAY better than being armed with an ax. Otherwise you’re just gonna get arrested and/or loose your right to carry anything at all. Open or not.
I wonder if I could carry a 6-10 inch blade but it be visible
Only if you have a valid reason, like going on/returning from a hunting trip, or that it’s somehow useful to your line of work to carry a large knife. Though if either of these are the case its best to just keep it in the box when in public.
You could probably get away with something 6 inches, but anything over 5 inches long is legally considered a dangerous weapon, and carrying it could attract the attention of the law.
For example; if someone sees the large knife on your hip and it makes them feel nervous or unsafe to be in the area for any reason, they would have every right to call the police and say so. In that case you could be subject to arrest, or at least removal from the area and/or confiscation of the item(s) in question based on the responding officer’s assessment of the situation.
This is also true for knives that are under 5 inches, though unless you brandish the knife or demonstrate other “scary” behavior (intoxication, aggressive body language, shouting or threats, etc.), smaller knives are usually unlikely to cause much concern at all.
But keep in mind that a police officer only needs to see the item and determine that you don’t have a legitimate reason for carrying something large and sharp in public in order to do anything about it.
It’s the kind of situation where you shouldn’t do something just because nobody told you not to. If you don’t have an honest, valid reason (which self-defense is not) for carrying a knife that big, you’re only inviting some serious trouble that could have a very negative impact on your rights and opportunities in the future.
People with dangerous weapons charges on their record tend to have pretty crappy lives.
Yes, you can and if you have a concealed carry license you can also hide it.
So any knife under 5 inches long can be carried in the pocket?
How concealed must a knife be if I have a self defense permit for it
Are automatic knives illegal or legal?
whats the age limit for pocket knifes under five inches?
Is fishing a valid reason for open carrying a 6 inch fixed blade in a sheathe?
What are the Laws on a Baton? Can I carry one? It’s and expandable baton.
So would balisong knives be considered a gravity knife? I would hate to break a law by accident when I cross a border.
What’s the minimum age to Cary a knife for self-defense
Can I still carry my 2 samorie swords, 2 daggers, 3 machetes and stick spears to get my groceries??? And most importantly, can I carry a miniature spear-shooting cannon in my jacket… I need it to get fish at Hannaford.
I can Conceal mine Spring Assist knife, it’s just folds out from the side. it’s an 3.5 inch blade. It’s rescue pocket knife, with a glass breaker and a seatbelt cutter.
Aaron, last night at the bar/grill I work at, I was cleaning up along the bar area while we were still busy serving and a patron had dropped his SOG Trident right behind himself. I, subtly, nudged it away with my foot and behind the nearby garbage can. I figure I’m not about to just hand a really drunk guy his knife back to him and rightfully so, I’m glad I didn’t because he was a handful to get out at the end of the night. So, I wonder… how does North Dakota view knives, especially the Trident or the like, in bars and restaurants? It wasn’t clearly visible on his body previously, so it was a complete surprise to see it had fallen out but of his coat behind him.
If someone feels unsafe when seeing a knife or firearm, thats THEIR problem. As long as the person carrying it is not threatening anyone or behaving badly in some way.
If the police are called, the person making the call should be arrested for harassment or making a false report to police. Its a waste of police resources.
Nd hb 1169 changes knife law as of August 1 2017
Aaron, I disagree with much of what you have mentioned. If you are acting in a manner to draw attention or in a violent manner, then any weapon might be confiscated. But, if you have a legal right to carry and someone feels “threatened”, the police have no right to confiscate or arrest..
I have a beautiful Bark River Shining Mountain Bowie that I’ll occasionally wear on my hip if we’re going camping for the weekend. It’s got a massive 10.5″ blade, and certainly draws attention. But when all you’re doing is grabbing a few essentials for the trip at Walmart or running in to pay for your gas, people don’t have a chance to freak out. Is it illegal to carry openly? No. Would I do it all the time just because I can? Probably not.
I’m writing a piece for my school paper and I just got a knife for my birthday. My question is can students carry it in their purse or their back pocket when they walking to the car at night? How safe can we really make it before were considered dangerous ourselves?
I have a 36 inch sharp long sword. I do some cutting, of vegetables, water bottles, etc for practice. I am into historical martial arts. May I bring my sheathed sword into my hotel with me?
Carrying a switchblade Concealed with a class 1 CCW it’s it legal
Is there an age limit on who can buy certain knives? Can someone under the age of 18 buy pocketknives or switchblades?
How would you ”open carry” a imitation steleto
Can a known felon carry and openly show a knife more than 6 inches..he has to register as a sex offender .
I have a 12 inch over all military style kaybar it’s my tool not to be used unless absolutely necessary. May I carry it openly in its sheath on my hip .
And how easy is it to get ccw in North Dakota
Easy. And we have gone to constitutional carry
My 60 yo mom got her concealed carry permit within a month of deciding she wanted to so it
So… this article is saying I can’t carry two swords on my back in an X shape while riding my motorcycle?
No this is saying you can, as you aren’t concealing them.
You can, as long as they’re not hidden.
what exactly is open carry? is it just wearing some kind of weapon outside of your clothes? And conceal carry is hiding the weapon from others, right? just looking for clarification.
I am guessing it would be frowned upon to openly carry a rapier to encourage social distancing?
Does the measurements start at the handle or where the blade starts to become sharp?