Knives
Fla. Stat. 790.01 — a concealed weapon, and the common pocketknife left out
In Florida, the concealed carry section reaches a weapon, and the definitions say a weapon means any dirk, knife or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife.
Carrying without a license. A person who is not licensed but otherwise meets the criteria for a concealed weapon license is authorized to carry a concealed weapon. A person who does not meet them and carries a concealed weapon commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the state bears the burden of proving both that the person was not licensed and that they were ineligible for a license.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA license is needed for any knife in a pocket | What the law actually doesA common pocketknife is not a weapon under the definitions |
| The assumptionAny unlicensed concealed carry is a crime | What the law actually doesNot for someone who otherwise meets the license criteria |
Federal buildings, courthouses, airports, schools and private property with its own rules are separate questions, and so are court decisions on whether a listed knife is protected by the Second Amendment. Whether a particular knife, or a particular way of carrying it, falls inside the section is a question for a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Fla. Stat. 790.01 — Unlicensed carrying of concealed weapons or concealed firearms
- Fla. Stat. 790.001 — Definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.