Montana has some of the most lenient knife laws in the United States, allowing residents and visitors considerable freedom in knife ownership and carry. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding your knife rights in Montana:
Knife Ownership
In Montana, there are no restrictions on knife ownership. You can legally own any type of knife, including:
- Pocket knives
- Fixed blade knives
- Switchblades (automatic knives)
- Balisongs (butterfly knives)
- Daggers
- Swords
Knife Carry Laws
Open Carry
Open carry of any legal knife is permitted in Montana without restrictions
You can openly carry any knife you legally own.
Concealed Carry
As of October 1, 2017, Montana removed knives from its definition of “concealed weapons”
This means:
- You can conceal carry any knife, regardless of blade length
- There are no specific restrictions on concealed carry of knives
- Concealment is no longer an issue for knife carriers in Montana
Location Restrictions
While Montana’s knife laws are generally permissive, there are some location-based restrictions to be aware of:
Schools: It is illegal to possess a knife with a blade 4 inches or longer in school buildings.
This applies to:
- All buildings owned or leased by local school districts
- Buildings used for instruction or student activities
Government Buildings: Local governments may restrict knife possession on property they own or lease
Recent Legal Changes
Montana has made significant changes to its knife laws in recent years:
- 2017: Removed knives from the definition of “concealed weapons”
- 2019: Enacted statewide preemption, preventing local governments from creating stricter knife laws than the state
- 2019: Removed restrictions on automatic knives (switchblades)
Penalties
Violating knife laws in Montana, particularly the school possession law, can result in:
- Fines up to $500
- Jail time up to 6 months
- Or both
Conclusion
Montana’s knife laws are among the most permissive in the country. As long as you avoid bringing large knives into schools and respect any local government restrictions on their property, you have broad freedom to own and carry knives in the state. However, it’s always wise to use discretion and common sense when carrying knives in public.
Source:
- https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/montana-knife-laws/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Montana/comments/zyfnj5/montana_knife_laws/
- https://knifeup.com/montana-knife-laws/
- https://discoveringmontana.com/montana/knife-laws/