Knives
Va. Code 18.2-308 — listed knives hidden from common observation
In Virginia, carrying about the person, hidden from common observation, a dirk, bowie knife, stiletto knife, ballistic knife, machete or razor, or any weapon of like kind, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation is a Class 6 felony, and a third or later one a Class 5 felony.
Hidden includes disguised. A weapon is treated as hidden from common observation when it is observable but of such deceptive appearance as to disguise its true nature.
Home and business. The section does not apply to a person in their own place of abode or its curtilage, or in their own place of business.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAny knife carried out of sight is concealed carry | What the law actually doesThe section lists the knives it covers, and weapons of like kind |
| The assumptionA knife made to look like something else is not hidden | What the law actually doesObservable but disguised still counts as hidden |
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 Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Va. Code 18.2-308 — Carrying concealed weapons; exceptions; penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.