Understanding the Legal Landscape of Pocket Knives in Montana

Montana has some of the least restrictive pocket knife laws in the U.S., making it generally legal to own and carry most knives openly or concealed, with a few key exceptions.

General Rules for Carry and Ownership

1. There are no state restrictions on the type of knife you can own or carry, including switchblades, automatic knives, and fixed-blades.
2. Open carry of any legal knife is allowed statewide with no explicit blade length limit.
3. Concealed carry is permitted for knives, but be mindful: carrying a knife with a blade longer than 4 inches into certain places—especially schools—is prohibited.

Restricted Locations and Situations

1. Schools: Possession of a knife with a blade 4 inches or greater is strictly prohibited in any school building and grounds; violation can result in fines or jail time.
2. Federal buildings, courthouses, airports, and some local government properties also prohibit all knives, regardless of size.
3. Statewide preemption law (passed 2019): Local governments cannot enact knife restrictions beyond what state law specifies, except on their own properties.

Legal Changes & Statutory Clarifications

1. Major legal updates (2017 & 2019): Montana removed most statutory knife restrictions and redefined “concealed weapon” to pertain only to firearms.
2. Schools are the exception: Only knives with blades under 4 inches are permitted, and even those may be restricted under school rules.

Everyday Practice & Common Scenarios

1. It’s common for Montanans to carry pocket knives for daily use, and law enforcement rarely intervenes unless knives are carried in restricted locations or used in a threatening manner.
2. For outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, ranching), any knife may be carried openly or concealed unless entering a prohibited area.

Table: Montana Pocket Knife Laws

Category	Legal Status
Open carry, any type	Legal statewide
Concealed carry, any type	Legal outside restricted areas
Schools (blade ≥ 4″)	Prohibited
Federal/courthouse/airport	Prohibited all knives
Blade length limits	None except schools

Montana’s laws enable broad legal carry and ownership of pocket knives, with location-based restrictions as the most important limits to obey.

Sources

(https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/montana-knife-laws/)
(https://ravencresttactical.com/montana-knife-laws/)
(https://knifeade.com/montana-knife-law/)
(https://www.carved.com/blogs/life-at-carved/pocket-knife-rules-laws-by-state)
(https://www.montanaknifecompany.com/blogs/news/knife-laws-by-state)