Knives
Minn. Stat. 609.66 — the switch blade knife, and a weapon meant for unlawful use
In Minnesota, the dangerous weapons section makes it a crime to manufacture, transfer or possess a switch blade knife opening automatically, and to possess any other dangerous article or substance for the purpose of using it unlawfully as a weapon against another.
Reckless handling. Recklessly handling or using a gun or other dangerous weapon so as to endanger the safety of another is a crime under the same subdivision.
The sentence. A conviction under the subdivision carries up to 90 days, or up to 364 days, a fine of up to $3,000, or both, where the act was committed in a public housing zone, a school zone or a park zone.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny folding knife counts as a switchblade | What the law actually doesThe section names a switch blade knife opening automatically |
| The assumptionAn ordinary knife can never be charged | What the law actually doesPossessing any dangerous article to use unlawfully against another is a crime |
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 Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 609.66 — Dangerous weapons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.