Wisconsin has some of the most permissive knife laws in the United States, but there are important nuances and exceptions every resident and visitor should understand. This guide outlines your rights and responsibilities regarding knife ownership, carry, and use in Wisconsin as of 2025.
Types of Knives You Can Own and Carry
- Wisconsin law does not ban any category of knife at the state level. This includes switchblades, butterfly knives, automatic knives, bowie knives, ballistic knives, disguised knives (like pen or belt buckle knives), daggers, and more.
- Blade length is not restricted. There are no state laws limiting the length of a knife blade you can own or carry, openly or concealed.
Open and Concealed Carry: What’s Legal?
- Open carry: You may openly carry any type of knife, regardless of its size or design, in most public places.
- Concealed carry: Most people in Wisconsin can legally carry any knife concealed, including automatic and large fixed-blade knives. There is no requirement for a concealed carry license for knives.
Statewide Preemption: Uniform Laws Across Wisconsin
- Wisconsin has a statewide preemption law for knives. No city, county, or local government can enact knife ordinances stricter than state law. This means the same knife laws apply everywhere in Wisconsin, eliminating confusion and local restrictions, such as Milwaukee’s former 3-inch blade rule.
Who Cannot Carry Certain Knives?
- Felons and Prohibited Persons: If you are prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction, restraining order, or certain mental health commitments, you also cannot carry a concealed knife that qualifies as a “dangerous weapon”.
- The law defines a “dangerous weapon” as any device designed as a weapon and capable of causing death or great bodily harm, or any device used or intended to be used in such a manner.
- Not all knives are automatically considered dangerous weapons; it depends on their design and intended use.
- Violating this law is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 9 months in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
- Minors: It is illegal to transfer a dangerous weapon, which may include certain knives, to anyone under 18 years old.
Location-Based Restrictions
- Schools: Knives are strictly prohibited on all K-12 school property, including buildings, grounds, and vehicles. Violations can result in felony charges.
- Government Buildings: Local governments may restrict the possession of knives in government facilities, such as courthouses or city halls.
- Other Sensitive Areas: Always check for posted signs or local rules when entering places like airports or private businesses.
What Is NOT Restricted?
- There are no restrictions on the sale, purchase, or transfer of knives for adults, except for the prohibition on transferring dangerous weapons to minors.
- No licensing or registration is required for knife ownership or carry.
Key Takeaways
- Almost any knife can be legally owned and carried, openly or concealed, by most adults in Wisconsin.
- State law overrides local ordinances, ensuring uniformity across the state.
- Felons and other prohibited persons cannot carry concealed knives that are considered dangerous weapons.
- Knives are banned in schools and may be restricted in government buildings.
- Blade length and knife type are not restricted by state law.
Practical Advice
- If you are not a felon or otherwise prohibited, you can confidently carry almost any knife in Wisconsin.
- Always avoid carrying knives in schools or government buildings.
- If you have a criminal record or are subject to a restraining order, consult an attorney before carrying any knife concealed.
- When traveling outside Wisconsin, be aware that other states may have much stricter knife laws7.
Wisconsin’s knife laws are straightforward for most people, but exceptions and location-based restrictions mean it’s wise to stay informed and cautious in sensitive areas.
Sources:
- https://milwaukee-criminal-lawyer.com/wisconsin-knife-laws-2023/
- https://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/WisconsinLawyer/Pages/Article.aspx?Volume=94&Issue=7&ArticleID=28509
- https://www.kimandlavoy.com/blog/2021/08/is-it-legal-to-carry-a-knife-in-wisconsin/
- https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/wisconsin/
- https://www.tektoknives.com/blogs/news/wisconsin-state-knife-laws
