subject: Is There A Permit Needed To Carry Bowie Knives? [print this page] Before you purchase that bowie knife, you might have a few questions that you want answered. One of the most frequently asked questions about these knives is whether or not you need a permit to own one. Do you have to have a permit if you keep your bowie knife at home? Do you need a permit if you will use it on a hunting trip? These questions are vital, but the answers might be far from enlightening.
First, you do not need a permit to own a bowie knife. You can own such a knife and keep it in your home wherever you might wish. This is your legal right under the law. However, should you choose to take your knife outside of your home, you will find that things become a bit different. Before you strap that bowie knife to your hip and venture out to the hardware store, it's best that you do a little bit of online research. Different states have very different laws governing what knives can be taken into public and whether or not you need to have a license.
In most states, you do not need a license to carry a knife, unless you plan to carry it concealed on your body. For instance, the state of Arizona allows you to conceal your bowie knife on your person in public, so long as you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. That said, some states take a very dim view of bowie knives and other large knives. Take Washington DC for example: you cannot carry any knife over 3 inches long, whether concealed or in the open. Therefore, you need to check with your state's laws before you take your knife out in public.
In Public - While you might see nothing wrong with strapping your knife to your belt and heading into town, your local law enforcement might think differently. Before you do this, make sure you check your local laws governing blade length. Some states, such as Kentucky, allow you to carry fixed blade knives such as bowie knives in public, so long as they are visible. However, other states frown on bowie knives, balisongs and other knives and prohibit them from being carried in pubic, even if they are in plain sight.
So, before you venture out of your home with that bowie knife, you need to know the lay of the land, so to speak (or the law of the land, as the case may be). Basic research can ensure that you remain on the right side of the law and are able to enjoy your knife.
