Are Automatic Knives Legal in Kansas?
The Short Answer
Yes — completely, unreservedly legal. Kansas overhauled its knife laws in 2013, removing every restriction on automatic knives, switchblades, gravity knives, and concealed carry of knives. The state then went a step further and enacted statewide preemption, so no city or county can pass its own knife rules. You can carry any knife, any blade length, open or concealed, anywhere that isn't a specifically restricted location.
Kansas is one of the most knife-friendly states in the country. Period.
What Kansas Law Actually Says
The Statute (K.S.A. § 21-6301 — Criminal Use of Weapons)
Prior to 2013, this statute made it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess switchblades and gravity knives. The 2013 legislation — House Bill 2052 — repealed those provisions entirely. The switchblade and gravity knife language was struck from the criminal code.
The Preemption Statute (K.S.A. § 12-16,134)
This is the backbone of Kansas knife freedom. The statute reads:
"(a) A municipality shall not enact or enforce any ordinance, resolution, regulation or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, devise, licensing, registration or use of a knife or knife making components."
"(b) A municipality shall not enact or enforce any ordinance, resolution or regulation relating to the manufacture of a knife that is more restrictive than any such ordinance, resolution or regulation relating to the manufacture of any other commercial goods."
"(c) Any ordinance, resolution or regulation prohibited by either subsection (a) or (b) that was adopted prior to July 1, 2014, shall be null and void."
The Definition of "Knife" (K.S.A. § 21-6301)
Kansas defines "knife" broadly:
"'Knife' means a dagger, dirk, switchblade, stiletto, straight-edged razor or any other dangerous or deadly cutting instrument of like character."
What That Means in Plain English
Kansas cleaned house. In one legislative session, the state:
1. Repealed the switchblade manufacturing and sale ban from the criminal code 2. Removed the prohibition on carrying automatic or gravity knives 3. Eliminated all statewide concealed carry restrictions for knives 4. Enacted preemption that voided every existing local knife ordinance
A person may carry a knife — concealed or unconcealed — regardless of blade length. No types are banned. No mechanisms are restricted. No permits are needed.
The 2020 Kansas Supreme Court Decision (State v. Harris)
Worth noting: in July 2020, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in State v. Harris that the residual clause of the felon-in-possession statute — which prohibited convicted felons from possessing "any other dangerous or deadly cutting instrument of like character" — was unconstitutionally vague. The court found it gave no objective standard for what's included or excluded.
After Harris, it remains unlawful for a convicted felon in Kansas to possess a firearm, dagger, dirk, switchblade, or stiletto — but the vague catch-all language was struck down. A regular pocket knife, for example, no longer falls under the felon restriction unless it's specifically one of those named types.
OTF Knives in Kansas
Fully legal. No restrictions of any kind on OTF knives. Carry one openly, carry one concealed, any blade length, any deployment mechanism. Kansas doesn't distinguish between an OTF and any other knife.
Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Kansas Considers Them
Kansas used to make this distinction — "switchblade" appeared in the criminal code. That language was removed in 2013. Today, the state treats all knife types equally under the law:
- Automatic knives: legal
- Switchblades: legal
- OTF knives: legal
- Gravity knives: legal
- Assisted openers: legal
- Balisongs: legal
- Fixed blades: legal
- Daggers, dirks, stilettos: legal
No type bans. No mechanism restrictions. The only scenario where knife type matters is the felon-in-possession statute, which specifically names daggers, dirks, switchblades, and stilettos.
Carrying an Automatic Knife in Kansas
Open Carry
Legal. No restrictions on type, blade length, or manner of carry.
Concealed Carry
Legal. No permit required. No blade length limit. No type restrictions. Kansas is one of the few states where you can concealed carry a fully automatic knife with zero paperwork.
Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)
Even in Kansas, some locations are off-limits:
- Schools: K-12 school property. Weapons — including knives — are prohibited on school grounds under K.S.A. § 21-6301(a)(13).
- Jails and correctional facilities: Prohibited
- Juvenile correction facilities: Prohibited
- Courthouses: Many have weapons screening and prohibitions
- Federal buildings: Subject to federal law, not state law
Convicted Felons
Under K.S.A. § 21-6304, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing specifically named weapons: firearms, daggers, dirks, switchblades, and stilettos. After the 2020 Harris decision, the vague residual clause was struck down, so only those named items are restricted for felons.
Blade Length Restrictions
None. Kansas imposes no blade length limits on any knife type for any purpose.
Statewide Preemption
Yes — and it's ironclad. Under K.S.A. § 12-16,134, municipalities cannot regulate knives or knife-making components. The statute explicitly voided all pre-existing local knife ordinances as of July 1, 2014. Some Kansas cities were slow to update their local codes, but any conflicting local ordinance is null and void as a matter of state law.
What's legal under Kansas state law is legal in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, Lawrence, and every other community in the state.
What About Assisted Openers?
Legal without any restriction. Since fully automatic knives are legal in Kansas, assisted openers are a complete non-issue. There's no legal distinction between an assisted opener and any other folding knife.
Buying Automatic Knives in Kansas
Fully legal. The 2013 legislation specifically removed restrictions on manufacturing, purchasing, and selling automatic knives. No purchase permits, no waiting periods, no age restrictions beyond general weapon-to-minor rules, no registration. Kansas residents can buy automatic knives in person, online, or at knife shows without legal hurdle.
Recent Changes
- 2013: HB 2052 repealed all automatic knife restrictions and enacted statewide preemption
- 2014: Preemption took effect July 1, voiding all local knife ordinances
- 2020: State v. Harris struck down the vague residual clause of the felon-in-possession statute
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry an OTF knife in Kansas?
Yes. OTF knives are fully legal to own and carry — open or concealed, any blade length, anywhere that isn't a restricted location like a school or jail.
Are switchblades illegal in Kansas?
No. Kansas removed all switchblade restrictions in 2013. They're fully legal to own, carry, buy, and sell.
Is there a blade length limit for automatic knives in Kansas?
No. Kansas has no blade length restrictions for any knife type.
Does Kansas preempt local knife laws?
Yes. K.S.A. § 12-16,134 prevents any municipality from regulating knives. All pre-2014 local knife ordinances were voided by state law.
Can a convicted felon carry a knife in Kansas?
A convicted felon cannot possess a dagger, dirk, switchblade, or stiletto under K.S.A. § 21-6304. After the 2020 Harris ruling, the vague catch-all for "other dangerous cutting instruments" was struck down — so an ordinary pocket knife is no longer prohibited for felons, but specifically named types still are.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws change — sometimes faster than websites update. Federal, state, and local laws may all apply to your situation, and local ordinances can be more restrictive than state law.
Before purchasing, carrying, or traveling with any automatic knife, OTF knife, or switchblade, verify current laws with official state and local sources. We are not attorneys, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on this information.
When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.