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If you are not familiar with jargon related to knives, knife laws in Michigan can get a bit confusing. Michigan amended its knife carry laws in the state in October 2017. Here is everything you need to know.
What knives are legal to own in Michigan?
Laws only mention knives that are legal to possess. Therefore, knives not mentioned are also considered legal since there is no legislation about them.
Butterfly knives are, also known as balisongs, are legal to own. Stabbing knives like stilettos, dirks, or daggers are also permitted, not to mention throwing knives and stars.
Bowie knives might be illegal in some states, but not in Michigan. The same rule applies to other large knives. Hidden knives and undetectable knives are also permitted to own, as well as automatic knives, including OTFs and gravity knives.
What knives are illegal to own in Michigan?
Knife laws in Michigan do not mention any illegal knives. So when it comes to knife possession, you can have any knife you want.
What are the limits on carry?
When it comes to carrying a knife openly, any knife is permitted, except double-edged fixed blade knives or “double-edged non-folding stabbing instruments.” OTF knives, other automatic knives, or spring-assisted knives may come with double-edged blades. They are illegal to carry.
Carrying anything that can be termed a ‘dangerous weapon’ or possessing such items “in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person” can land one in trouble.
Concealed Carry
Carrying any “dagger, dirk, stiletto, double-edged, non-folding stabbing instrument concealed is a felony punishable by imprisonment up to 5 years and a fine not to exceed $2,500.
Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations / Circumstances
Just like in many other states, schools are weapon-free zones in Michigan. Therefore, you cannot carry a knife, not even in the open in a school, on school grounds, or in a school safety zone, including school transportation or school activities, even if they are held on different premises.
Restrictions on Sale or Transfer
There are no restrictions on the sale or transfer of any knife. Since there are no banned knives in Michigan, you can sell or transfer knives with no issues at all.
Is there a statewide pre-emption?
Michigan does not have a statewide pre-emption regarding knives.
Major Cities in Michigan with Knife Ordinances
Detroit has a knife ordinance that bans carrying knives with blades longer than three inches. There are many other cities with knife ordinances. Below is the information on carrying a folding-type knife concealed in your pocket or anywhere else.
| City, State | Law Title/ Chapter/ Section | Concealed Carry Legal | Max Size Restriction | Short description from the law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Park, MI | Sec. 26-414 | Yes | 3" | It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of a knife with a blade more than three inches in length |
| Alpena, MI | Sec. 54-2 | Yes | 3" | The following acts shall constitute disorderly conduct, no person shall: knife having a blade over three inches in length |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 0.560416667 | Yes | 3" | Knife having a blade longer than 4". Knife with a mechanism to lock the blade opened, longer than 3". |
| Atlas TWP, MI | (Genesee Co.) 94.051 | Yes | 3" | It shall be unlawful for any person to be in possession of a knife with a blade more than three inches in length, |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 46-170 | Yes | 3" | or other knife with a blade that exceeds three inches |
| Aurelius TWP, MI | Sec. 12-33 | Conduct on park property. No person shall have in their possession or control any knife, | ||
| Bath Charter TWP | Sec. 46-33 | Possess knife or other dangerous weapon in Parks and Recreation Areas | ||
| Birmingham, MI | 74-214. | Yes | 3" | carry or use in any manner any knife with a blade in excess of three inches |
| Buchanan , MI | Sec. 58-188 | Yes | 3" | any knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Byron TWP, MI | (Kent Co.) Sec. 28-22 | Yes | 3" | On Park Property Dangerous weapon means any or knife having a blade over three inches in length |
| Center Line, MI | 46-266. | No | carry or use in any manner any knife, | |
| Dearborn, MI | 14-261 | Yes | 3" | or carry or use in any manner any knife having a blade over three inches |
| Dearborn Height, MI | 20-333. | Yes | 3" | any knife with a blade in excess of three (3) inches, |
| Delhi Charter TWP | (Ingham Co) Sec. 10-117 | Yes | 3" | Illegal: Pocket knives with blades over three (3) inches |
| Detroit, MI | 38-10-39. thru 38-10-44. | Yes | 3" | be in possession of a knife with a blade more than three (3) inches in length |
| DeWitt, MI | 46-43. | Yes | 3" | A person who carries a knife having a blade of three inches or more |
| DeWitt Charter TWP | (Clinton Co) Sec. 26-139 | Yes | 3" | It shall be unlawful for a person to carry a knife having a blade of three inches in length or more |
| East Lansing, MI | 26-62. & 26-194. | Yes | 4" | A knife, either folding or non-folding, in excess of 4" / 3" in City Parks Recreation Facilities. |
| Eastpointe, MI | Sec. 28-184 | No person, in any school building/land owned/occupied/used by any school, shall use, possess, carry or conceal knives, | ||
| Fenton, MI | 20-94 | Yes | 3" | unlawful for any person to be in possession of a knife with a blade more than three inches in length |
| Ferndale, MI | 12-85. & 12-136. | Yes | 3" | possess a knife, whose blade is three inches or more in length |
| Flint Charter TWP | (Genesee Co.) Sec. 6.13-3 | Yes | 3" | No person shall be in possession of a knife with a blade more than three inches in length, |
| Fowlerville, MI | 54-167 | Yes | 3" | carry or use in any manner any knife with a blade in excess of three inches |
| Fowlerville, MI | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fraser, MI | 16-143. | No | nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length; | |
| Grand Blanc Chrtr TWP | (Genesee Co.) Sec. 12-54 | Yes | 3" | or knife having a blade over three inches in length, |
| Grosse Pt. Shores, MI | 20-411. & 20-412. | Yes | 3" | sharp-edged or sharp-pointed instrument or weapon in excess of three inches in length. |
| Grosse Pt. Woods MI | 54-291 & 54-244 & 54-216. | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade in excess of three inches in length |
| Harper Woods, MI | Sec. 14-58 | Yes | 3" | unlawful to carry or to have concealed or in any vehicle occupied by him other stationary blade knife exceeding (3?) |
| Hastings, MI | 54-83. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three inches in length. |
| Highland Park, MI | 692.07 & 1062.06 | Yes | 3" | possess a knife with a blade more than 3" in length / No in City Park, Play ground, School or School Rec area. |
| Holland, MI | 20-12. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three (3) inches in length, |
| Independence Charter TWP | (Oakland Co) Sec. 30-122 | Yes | 3" | Loitering with a knife with a blade that exceeds three inches, |
| Jackson, MI | 18-185. | No | dangerous weapon except hunting knives adapted and carried as such. | |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 22-55. | No | any knife in Schools | |
| Lake Odessa, MI | 18-328. | Yes | 3" | any knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Lansing, MI | 696.04. & 696.05 | Yes | 3" | any knife having a blade over 3" / student, guest or other person shall not have A knife on any College Campus |
| Lathrup, MI | 46-76. | Yes | 3" | a knife, whose blade is three inches or more in length, |
| Livonia, MI | 9.94.020 & 9.94.060 & 9.94.070 | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade over three (3) inches in length, |
| Lyon Charter TWP | Sec. 26-301 | Yes | 3" | unlawful to possess a knife with Blade 3" Long or Longer, concealed or unconcealed on his person/passenger area of vehicle |
| Melvindale, MI | Sec. 15-184 | Yes | 3" | unlawful for any person to possess or control, any knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Menominee, MI | Sec. 14-90 | Yes | 3" | to carry or conceal any knife except otherwise permitted by law |
| Milan, MI | Sec. 13-33 | Yes | 3" | shall carry a knife having a blade over (3?) concealed on or about his person, or in any motor vehicle occupied by him |
| Mundy Charter TWP | (Genesee Co) Sec. 18-130 | Yes | 3" | A knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Novi, MI | 22-128. & 22-129. | Yes | 3.5" | blade is by length greater than three and one-half (3 1/2) inches. |
| Oak Park, MI | 50-294. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three inches in length |
| Orchard Lake VLGS | 9.06.166 | Yes | 3" | Unlawful to have in his possession or control, except within his own domicile, any knife with a blade in excess of 3? |
| Owosso, MI | 19-128. | Yes | 3" | blades which exceed three (3) inches in length |
| Plainfield Charter TWP | (Kent Co) Sec. 26-43 | knives and clubs shall be brought into the township park | ||
| Plymouth, MI | 54-201. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three inches in length, |
| Pontiac, MI | 86-266. | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade that exceeds three inches |
| Richmond, MI | 54-223. | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Rogers City, MI | Sec. 19-357 | Yes | 3" | unlawful to carry on in passenger compartment of vehicle dangerous weapon, including jackknife with blade/s exceeding 3? |
| Romeo, MI | 26-279. | No | Knife or any form of weapon potentially dangerous to human safety on School, Grounds, Building, Activity | |
| Rogers City, MI | Sec. 19-357 | Yes | 3" | unlawful to carry on in passenger compartment of vehicle dangerous weapon, including jackknife with blade/s exceeding 3? |
| Romeo, MI | 26-279. | No | Knife or any form of weapon potentially dangerous to human safety on School, Grounds, Building, Activity | |
| Royal Oak Chrtr TWP | (Oakland Co) Sec. 16-145 | Yes | 3" | Possession in public, etc. Knives having a three-inch or longer blade prohibited; |
| Saline, MI | 58-186. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three inches in length, |
| South Lyon, MI | Sec. 58-84 | Yes | 3" | unlawful for any person to possess any knife with a blade more than (3?) in length in any street or public place. |
| South Rockwood, MI | Sec. 16-259 | Yes | 3" | No person shall possess/control, except in his own domicile, or carry/use in any manner, any knife with a blade exceeding 3? |
| Spring Lake TWP | (Ottawa Co) Sec. 26-19 | Yes | In Parks Any knife with a blade longer than 3« inches; | |
| St. Clair Co. MI | 38-229. | No | any knife, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto or any other sharp edged or pointed instrument or weapon, | |
| Sumpter Township | (Wayne Co) Sec. 14-261 | Yes | 3" | Dangerous weapon means any firearm, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto or knife having a blade over three (3) inches in length |
| Swartz Creek, MI | Sec. 10-219 | Yes | 3" | It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a knife having a blade over three inches in length. |
| Taylor, MI | 19-226. | No | All weapons, knives, other sharp edged or pointed instruments carried are hereby declared forfeited to the city | |
| Warren, MI | 22-168. | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade over three (3) inches in length |
| Westland, MI | 62-283. | Yes | 3" | Any knife with a blade which exceeds three inches in length; |
| Woodhaven, MI | 66-447 & 66-452 & 66-453 | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade in excess of three inches, |
| Wyandotte, MI | 25-98. | Yes | 3" | knife with a blade more than three (3) inches in length |
| Wyoming, MI | 50-266. | Yes | 3" | A knife shall be defined as an instrument having a handle and at least one sharp edged blade over 3" long. |
| Ypsilanti, MI | 74-126 & 74-54 | Yes | 3" | knife having a blade three inches in length or longer, / Give good reason to have Knife. |
Exceptions
No one is exempt from these rules, not even law enforcement professionals or military members.
Relevant Statutes
750.222a. Doubled-edged, non-folding stabbing instruments (pertains to items fashioned from stone by knapping or conchoidal fracturing)
750.226. Armed with intent to use a dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument
750.227. Concealed weapons, carrying
750.231. Exceptions to §§ 750.224, 750.224a, 750.224b, 750.224d, 750.227, 750.227c, and 750.227d
750.237a. Weapon free school zones; violations and penalties; applicability
380.1313. Reporting and disposition of dangerous weapons found in possession of pupils
Summary of Knife Laws in Michigan
Michigan is permissive when it comes to owning knives. All knives are legal to own, but there are some restrictions regarding carrying knives. Limitations apply to the type of knife rather than the blade size.
Hi, I am Jay. I am the creator of Knife Guides, your one-stop site for everything related to knives. I am a computer engineer by profession, knife aficionado by passion. Here I work with a group of people who’ve always had a passion for knives and blades. Over the years we’ve kind of become experts and decided to share our knowledge and ideas. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy offshore gamefishing.
