An Introduction to Arizona’s Knife Laws

A complex history, not unlike the neighboring state of Texas, paved the way for knife rights in Arizona. Prior to 2006, Arizona knife law could be summed up using only one word: criminal. But recent legislative strides have removed more restrictions on what Arizonians can legally carry, both openly and concealed.
The catalyst for change was the 2005 decision in Arizona repealing bans on the sale and possession of automatic knives, or "switchblades" as they are commonly called. Under the prior law, you could be charged with a Class 2 Misdemeanor for possession or sale of an automatic knife unless you were selling it to a police officer or in a limited set of situations. However, the ban was ruled unconstitutional after a challenge by five knife manufacturers.
No sooner had police gotten the memo than knife rights advocates got to work updating Arizona knife laws to address the treatment of knives in general. The legislature responded by passing A.R.S. § 13-3120 (which once gratefully appears in A.R.S. § 13-3101). Among the new definitions introduced was the phrase "deadly weapon," which encompasses knives with blades greater than five inches . Regardless of an area’s classification as a city, town, village, or unincorporated community, municipalities are allowed to require a municipal business license from both permanent and temporary knife sellers. To add another layer, knife legislation is not handled at the state level, but rather by counties; counties may still impose their individual restrictions on knife possession, deadly or otherwise.
Arizona knife law has a few other noteworthy points. A.R.S. § 13-3102 makes it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to carry a deadly weapon in a crowded place, to commit a deadly weapon assault, or to possess a deadly weapon if you’re an inmate or dischargee from prison or jail. Likewise, you cannot sell a deadly weapon to someone if you know them to be an inmate or parolee. A.R.S. § 13-3103 gives municipalities the power to impose restrictions on areas where knives are prohibited – for example, poison centers, where staff are likely to be busy trying to save your life if a deadly weapon has cut you. Only a few cities and towns, including Superior and Sedona, maintain these restrictions.
As a result of Arizona’s post-2005 legislative activity, knives are more limited by size than by type. Unlike nearby Colorado, which draws a distinction between different kinds of bladed instruments, Arizona law applies to all knives equally.

Knives Commonly Permitted in Arizona

Arizona knife laws permit the ownership of various types of knives. The most dominant form of blade permitted to be possessed in Arizona is the folding knife, also known as the pocket knife. These folding knives are classified as ‘non-daggers,’ and allow for easy storage and portability. Knives that are permitted in Arizona but have a fixed blade include multipurpose knives, survival knives, escape knives, and eating utensils such as kitchen knives or cutlery sets. Switchblades, also called automatic knives, are also currently legal, as are bowie knives, dirk knives, and daggers.
In Arizona, the legal definition of a knife is "any instrument consisting of a blade of metal or other material that is rigidly attached to a handle," and is described as a cutting instrument that has the ability to maintain an edge or sharp point. Other more advanced blade types include machete knives and saws with teeth. Firearms are not a kind of knife and do not fall under any definitions of knife in the state of Arizona.

Prohibited Uses and Locations for Knives

As a general rule, all knives are prohibited in public and private school grounds in Arizona. ARS 13-2911(1). There are exceptions to the statute, but the exceptions only apply when affected individuals are authorized to possess knives in schools. For example, knives may be possessed by: peace officers, sworn officers, security guards, employees of these organizations and contract security guards for these organizations. Ultimately, these rules are unnecessarily strict and affect many law abiding citizens in negative ways. There are three important sections of Arizona Revised Statutes that affect the carrying of knives on school grounds: 1) prohibited weapons; 2) prohibited possessor; and 3) unlicensed professionals.
Knives, blades, or dangerous weapons are included in the list of prohibited weapons under ARS 13-3102(A)(6)&(7). It is illegal to carry these types of weapons in Arizona. In Arizona, it is also illegal to possess any type of weapon or firearm when you are a "prohibited possessor." ARS 13-3102(A)(8) defines a prohibited possessor as a person who is either a convicted felon or has knowingly been adjudicated to be a delinquent minor. Both felons and persons adjudicated to be a delinquent minor are prohibited from carrying a knife or firearm in Arizona. An exception applies to those who are prohibited possessors of firearms because they have had their civil rights restored. These proscribed individuals will be eligible to carry a firearm if they fulfill certain conditions: 1) they are not on parole for a felony conviction, 2) they do not have a dangerous drug conviction, and 3) they have successfully completed probation for the felony conviction.
In addition to the restrictions discussed above, ARS 13-3121 requires that a person licensed to practice law or appear before a judge must not bring a "deadly weapon" into a courtroom. Any "deadly weapon" includes a pocket knife or switchblade. As a result, attorneys, and people attending court who are not licensed to practice law, should avoid bringing a knife to court as possession and/or sale of a knife is a class four felony. ARS 13-303(A)(2). Likewise, ARS 13-3102(D)(1) states that a licensee, contractor or employee is not allowed to carry a knife onto the premises of a public accommodation in Arizona. This means that barbers, hairdressers, beauty shops, or other personal grooming places in Arizona cannot carry a knife unless an exception applies to them. A person in Arizona is permitted to carry a knife on the premises of public accommodation if they are licensed as a barber under ARS 32-321, work in a state operated baby-sitting center under ARS 13-3102 or they work on state-owned or leased property. However, security personnel and security firms must receive prior written consent when carrying a knife unless an exception applies to them. Ultimately, there are a number of restrictions that affect the use of knives in certain areas of Arizona.

Self-Defense Rules Concerning Knife Use

The laws regarding carrying knives in Arizona for self-defense purposes largely overlap with the laws regulating firearms carry. As with guns, carrying a knife for self-defense purposes is legal under Arizona law without a permit in the same way that may carry a firearm openly as long as the knife is not otherwise restricted by law. (That said, people still tend to recommend obtaining a concealed weapons permit if you plan to carry a knife regularly for self-defense). It is important to note that more knives are prohibited for carry on school grounds or school buses than firearms, but no permits are required for being on school grounds with a concealed knife as they are when carrying a firearm.
A knife carried for self-defense on campus or during school-sponsored events will not violate the law if it meets one of the exceptions listed above from A.R.S. § 15-342. A person cannot carry a knife for a permitted purpose on a school grounds or school bus without being subject to a number of caveats. For example, the exception for a personal knife is limited to pocketknives and those can only be used if they are carried in a sheath concealed from ordinary observation, which means not visible to the naked eye by someone of normal vision or in a closed or locked case. The school grounds or bus carry exception are in addition subject to the condition that the weapon or knife must remain concealed at all times. This means that any permitted weapon or knife cannot be displayed in any way on the premises of a school or when participating in a school-sponsored event.

Minimum Knife Carrying Ages in Arizona

The state of Arizona is one of the 30 states in the nation that has no restrictions on the type of blade knife that can be carried for personal use. The only exception to these laws is if the knife is considered to be on the "prohibited weapons" list. Because children and young adults often carry knives for personal or recreational use, an important part of understanding Arizona knife laws is to learn about the restrictions concerning age and who is allowed to carry a weapon.
There are currently no laws in Arizona that concern the use of knife weapons by individuals who are under the age of 18. It is legal for children and even juveniles to carry knives of any type. However, when it comes to two specific types of knives, there is enforced age-related regulation. Many states require that individuals be at least 18 years of age to possess a knife that is classified as a "dagger." Usually, the rule of thumb for most states is that any knife that has two sharpened edges (even if it is considered to be a "mini dagger") will be viewed as a prohibited item . When it comes to possessing two specific types of knives, individuals regardless of age cannot be found in possession of a:

– Ballistic knife – A pocket knife that has a retractable blade that is released by a spring, gun, or other type of mechanism. A "ballistic knife" is defined under ARS 13-3101(6) "as a knife that is considered a deadly weapon that is capable of being propelled or projected by any means."
– Dirk – A weapon that has a blade that is at least 12 inches in length. The blade of a dirk weapon is sharpened on both sides and it has a cross guard or hilt. A dirk weapon can be carried hidden or exposed.

While Arizona laws do not specifically state that knives are considered to be weapons, the concept is presented in ARS 13-3112 which refers to "deadly weapons" as a—"[O]utwardly visible knife, except for a folder without a blade exceeding three and one-half inches (3 & ½")."
It is illegal for an individual to give any kind of knife weapon to someone who is under the age of 19. However, there is nothing in written law that states whether parental consent is required in order for a minor to be in possession of a knife.

Penalties for Violating Knife Laws

Violating knife laws in Arizona can lead to criminal charges ranging from a petty offense to a class two felony, depending on the type of weapon and the nature of the violation. In addition to standard administrative fines, this can mean substantial prison time. Further, all knife violations result in a criminal conviction that will go on your record unless you successfully petition the court for relief.
Under the Arizona knife laws, the most serious crimes include the following: While a conviction for any of the above crimes may seem severe, the truth is that many knife-related crimes in Arizona are charged as misdemeanors. Under A.R.S. Section 12-181, crimes in Arizona are divided into classes. A class one misdemeanor is the most severe misdemeanor and is the only class in which home detention is a potential penalty. The potential penalties for each class, however, are not necessarily the same: Petty offenses have no jail time, while class six felonies have a definite sentence range both in probation and jail time. Class five felonies may have definite or presumptive sentencing options, and classes four through one (as well as capital crimes) have sentences that are definite, presumptive or indeterminate in both probation and jail time. In addition to incarceration and probation time, there are also expensive administrative and legal fines. The monetary penalties depend on the class of the offense as well as state and local court fees. Even if you are convicted of a misdemeanor, that conviction will likely remain on your permanent record. If you are later asked about your criminal history on an employment application, the knife conviction may be considered as well. If you are convicted of a felony, your entire life can be impacted. Because felons are prohibited from possessing any firearms, they cannot legally own a gun and may lose jobs, housing and other opportunities. Felons are prohibited from serving on a jury, and they also lose their right to vote. Even a minor crime such as a petty offense can keep you from certain jobs and other opportunities simply because you have a theft conviction on your permanent record.

New Developments in Knife Legislation

Currently, there are no known legislative changes that directly affect the legal status of knife ownership or carry in Arizona. However, the state’s knife laws have undergone significant shifts in the last 10 to 15 years, and the general trend has been toward relaxed restrictions on the types and sizes of knives that residents may openly carry and conceal. Recent rulings in case law, combined with a growing number of recent legislative proposals — some of which have yet to pass or become law — indicate the state legislature’s willingness to explore further loosening legal restrictions on the carrying of knives.
One major recent change involved the revision of Arizona Revised Statute 13-3102, which prohibits the carrying of deadly weapons with criminal intent. The language of the revised statute explicitly excludes from the definition of "deadly weapon":
…a folding knife with a blade that is not exposed or is mechanically unlocked.
The revised definition applies specifically to the knife context after having been amended in previous years to remove the folding knife exemption and the exemption for knives not designed for stabbing.
For example, when A.R.S. § 13-3102 was first revised in 2001, it contained the following language:
…a razor, a folding knife, a portable device that releases dangerous and noxious liquids or gases, or a stun gun …
This language was amended in 2006 to broaden the original exclusion of knives to include any device "specifically designed to cause physical injury . "
These successive amendments sparked considerable legal debate over how to interpret the definition of "folding knives," especially in light of various folding knife designs. Some courts ruled in favor of interpreting the term "blade" to mean "sharp edge," and not the entire length of the knife’s cutting tool. In those instances, it was held that even knives with a blade that extends out of the handle when unfolded remain as "folding knives." In other cases, however, courts ruled that any knife capable of being folded within a handle is a "folding knife."
In 2013, the Arizona legislature issued a third revision to the definition of folding knives to foreclose further legal debate on this issue, making the folding knife exemption broader than ever before under A.R.S. § 13-3102.
Following the third revision in 2013, various legislators proposed new laws that would further clarify or limit the prohibition on the possession or carrying of deadly weapons but to no success. For example, in 2016, Arizona Senator Kelli Ward proposed SB 1370, which would keep the prohibition on the carrying of deadly weapons in schools but would clarify that knives are not included in the school ban. Similarly, both SB 1369 and HB 2266 — a bill introduced in 2016 and 2017, respectively — would legalize the possession and carry of certain knives and in certain circumstances that are currently restricted.