Knife laws in Louisiana are somewhat confusing especially according to knife ownership. That’s why if the law doesn’t describe a knife, we consider it as a legal knife. Here you will know about all necessary knife laws in Louisiana.

Legal knife to own in Louisiana:

The ownership of a balisong knife is legal here. Dirks, stilettos, daggers, and other stabbing knives are also perfectly legal. There is the same law for those knives that don’t set off metal detectors, not to mention throwing knives or stars.

Although Bowie knives and other large-blade knives are illegal in many states; they are perfectly legal in Louisiana. Finally, you can own almost all types of knives like switchblades and automatic knives.

Illegal knives to own in Louisiana:

There are not any specific illegal knives mentioned in the law. If a knife is not described in the law, you can consider it legal to own.

Carrying limits:

You can carry all types of legal knives openly without any restrictions. There is not any ban on carrying knives, that’s why you are perfectly allowed to carry all types of knives openly.

Concealed Carry:

Automatic knives/switchblades are not allowed to conceal. You must carry them openly. You can conceal knives that open with gravity, assisted opening, or any other knife that opens with one hand.

Carrying in Specific Locations / Circumstances:

Schools and other educational places are weapon-free zones. So it is strictly prohibited to carry any type of knife openly or concealed in such places.

This same role applies to school transport and other activities related to school whether these activities are on school grounds or not.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:

As you read that there are no knives banned in Louisiana, that’s why there is not any restriction on the sale and transfer of knives. Therefore you can borrow, lend, sell, and buy any type of knife without facing any legal trouble.

Statewide preemption:

There is not any statewide preemption in Louisiana.

Major Cities in Louisiana with Knife Ordinances

Baton Rouge prohibits switchblades. New Orleans also prohibits switchblades, while Shreveport prohibits the possession of knives in government-owned buildings.

City, State	Law Title/ Chapter/ Section	Concealed Carry Legal	Max Size Restriction	Short description of the law
Baton Rouge/E Baton Rouge Parish, LA	13.95	Yes		to have in his possession a firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, in any premises where alcoholic beverages are sold and/or consumed on the premises
Bossier City, LA	38-277.			rescue knives by full-time LEO only. rescue knife” is a folding knife, readily and easily opened with one hand
Lake Charles, LA	13-28. & 13-28.1	Yes	4″	or any knife with a blade in excess of four inches, in an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold.
Lake Charles, LA	13-28.2.	Yes	2″	or any instrument with a blade in excess of two inches, in the Lake Charles City Council Chambers
New Orleans, LA	54-342.			Weapons any knife, Possessing or having in any vehicle while participating or attending a demonstration
New Orleans, LA	54-410.	No		In those publicly owned, operated, or leased buildings or places where the administrators Introduce any weapon LA Nature and Science Center No Knives
New Orleans, LA	106-296.	No
St. Landry Parish. LA	2-18.	No		“Dangerous weapon” includes any firearm, knife, or another bladed instrument, in courtrooms
Sulphur, LA	95			not prohibit the ownership of rescue knives by commissioned full-time law enforcement officers. No blade of a rescue knife shall exceed five inches in length.
Terrebonne Parish, LA	Sec. 19-6			Weapons prohibited in all facilities of the 32nd Judicial Dist Ct & other court facilities in the Parish including pocket knives.
West Monroe, LA	11-4011.	Yes	3″	It shall be unlawful for any person to draw and display any dangerous weapon, to wit: Pistol, gun, brass knucks, bowie knife, pocket knife with a blade more than three (3) inches long, sticks by which injury may be inflicted and/or other instruments and/or things which may result in injury if used.

Exceptions

Law enforcement personnel have a few exceptions, but automatic knives are not included in these exceptions.

Summary of Knife Laws in Louisiana

Unless you live in a particular municipality, knives are not banned in Louisiana. There are no restrictions related to knife size.

Therefore you can own and carry openly all knives without any difficulty. But some restrictions apply to concealed carry. Educational places are weapon-free zones; so here concealed or open carry is not allowed.