Knife Laws in Missouri

Missouri is a state where owning and carrying knives is allowed without much restriction according to Knife Laws in Missouri. As with any other state though, these restrictions can be minimized or even avoided completely.

Though generally easy to understand, some laws can be quite ambiguous at times knowing the knife laws in Missouri is essential for responsible knife owners.

Here are some key things to keep in mind about Knife Laws in Missouri.

Legal Knives to Own in Missouri

Surprisingly, Missouri allows the possession of an extensive range of knives. This includes blades such as stilettos, dirks & daggers as well as bigger weapons like Bowie knives and butterfly knives.

Concealed weapons like boot knives and undetectable knives are also permitted under the law. In Missouri, throwing knives, Chinese throwing stars, throwing axes, and automatic knives are all legal.

Hence there’s a wide range of self-defense weapons that one can legally own in this state. This is different from other states where these items might not be permitted.

Illegal Knives to Own in Missouri

Knives are not prohibited in Missouri; however, until 2012 switchblades and other automated blades were against the law. Fortunately, with a policy change, they have now become permissible.

Carry Limits

In Missouri, there are no restrictions on carrying knives, so you can carry any kind of knife that is visible to others.

Concealed Carry

When it comes to concealed carrying of knives, the laws are somewhat stricter. You are only allowed to conceal carry pocket knives with blades no longer than four inches.

Any other type of blade must be carried openly. This includes any type of knife stored within vehicles as well.

Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations / Circumstances

You may not carry a knife within 25 feet of a polling place on Election Day, jails and prisons, courthouses, local or national government meetings, police agencies, on-premises liquor establishments, or airports.

Areas requiring physical control include places where federal law prohibits firearms, schools, childcare facilities, gambling venues, amusement parks, places of worship, private property where weapons are prohibited, and sports fields. and include hospitals.

Restrictions on Sale or Transfer

There are no restrictions on the sale or transfer of any knife.

Statewide pre-emption

Missouri does not have a statewide pre-emption.

Major Cities in Missouri with Knife Ordinances

Here are the city-specific laws regarding concealed carrying of a folding knife in Missouri.

City, State	Law Title/ Chapter/ Section	Concealed Carry Legal	Max Size Restriction	Short description of the law
Ballwin, MO	17-54.	Yes	2.5″	Conceal or carry about the person having a blade in excess of 2 1/2 inches in length;
Ava, MO	62-178.	Yes		Carries concealed on or about his person a knife, firearm, blackjack, or any other weapon capable of lethal use;
Belton, MO	Sec. 15-107	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length
Blackjack, MO	11-55.	Yes		Carries concealed on or about his person a knife, firearm, blackjack, or any other weapon capable of lethal use;
Boonville, MO	Sec. 14-4	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length
Branson, MO	Sec. 58-97	Yes	4″	Deadly weapon means any knife (excluding an ordinary pocket knife with no blade longer than four inches)
Butler, MO	14-76.	Yes		Carries concealed on or about his person a knife, firearm, blackjack, or any other weapon capable of lethal use;
Cameron, MO	8-30.	Yes	4″	The word “knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Cape Girardeau, MO	17-96.	Yes	4″	The word “knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Carthage, MO	13-145.			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Clinton, MO	17-121.	Yes	4″	The word “knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Columbia, MO	Sec. 16-246			goes into any courthouse, church, school or any other public meeting carrying a knife
Crestwood, MO	Sec. 16-3			Carries concealed upon or about his or her person a knife, or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use
Creve Coeur, MO	18-172.			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Des Peres, MO	16-186.	Yes	4″	The word “knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Grandview, MO	17-41			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Hillsboro, MO	14-14. & 14-14.2.	Yes	4″	The word “knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Independence, MO	12.03.001. & 12.03.002. & 12.03.008.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Jackson, MO	45-500.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Joplin, MO	82-191.			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Kansas City, MO	50-261			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Ladue, MO	18-80. & 18.81.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Lamar, MO	15-3.			Carries concealed upon or about his person a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use.
Lee’s Summit, MO	17-161.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Liberty, MO	22-8.	Yes	3.5″	Carry a knife (other than a pocket knife with 3.5″ Blade Max in/on Taxi, Cab, or other public vehicles
Licking, MO	58-331. & 58-333.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Maplewood, MO	22-103.	Yes	2.5″	having a blade in excess of two and one-half (2 1/2) inches in length
Maryland Heights, MO	Sec. 14-12	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with a blade up to four (4) inches in length.
Mexico, MO	Sec. 10-181	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four (4) inches in length.
Montgomery City, MO	Sec. 36-298	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Nixa, MO	Sec. 16-142	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Olivette, MO	170.010.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Perryville, MO	9.04.010	Yes	4″	concealed weapons upon or about his person a knife with a blade equal in length or longer than four inches
Pleasant Hill, MO	Sec. 28-336	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Raymore, MO	Sec. 210.330			Carries concealed a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use;
Raytown, MO	13-67.	Yes	4″	“knife” does not include any ordinary pocket knife with no blade more than four inches in length.
Springfield, MO	78-257.	Yes	4″	Dangerous and incapacitating instruments shall include knives with blades in excess of four (4) inches
Warrensburg, MO	Sec. 14-116			Carries concealed a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use;
Webster Groves, MO	70.225.			Carries concealed a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use;
West Plains, MO	58-74.			Carries concealed a knife or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use;

Exceptions

There are some exceptions for all types of law enforcement personnel and active duty military members.

Summary of Knife Laws in Missouri

While Missouri is fairly legal on knives, some restrictions are in place. This requires knowing where you can carry a knife, as there are many places where carrying a knife can get you into trouble.

When it comes to key dimensions, it’s worth noting that you can hide pocket knives with blades shorter than four inches. You should carry everything else in the open.