Knives
Crim. Law § 4-101 — no dangerous weapon concealed, and a penknife left out
In Maryland, a person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person, or carry one openly with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.
Which knives the section names. The section's weapon includes a dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife, star knife and razor, and does not include a penknife without a switchblade.
Reasonable precaution. The section does not prohibit carrying a weapon as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger, subject to the court judging the reasonableness of carrying it and the proper occasion for it on the evidence.
The penalty. A violation is a misdemeanor, with imprisonment of up to 3 years, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. In the counties the section lists, a minor may not carry a dangerous weapon between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise, concealed or not, except on the trips and activities it names.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny folding knife in a pocket is a concealed weapon | What the law actually doesA penknife without a switchblade is not a weapon under the section |
| The assumptionOpen carry of a knife is never an offense | What the law actually doesNot if carried openly with the intent of injuring someone unlawfully |
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 Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Law § 4-101 — Dangerous weapons: carrying concealed, or openly with intent to injure
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.