Reviewed September 2026
Iowa Knife Laws
In Iowa, switchblades are legal and butterfly knives are legal. Since a 2021 rewrite of the carry statute, knife carry (open or concealed) is broadly legal; dangerous-weapon charges attach to criminal use. There is no notable statewide blade length limit.
Automatic knives are legal to own and carry.
Butterfly knives are legal.
Since a 2021 rewrite of the carry statute, knife carry (open or concealed) is broadly legal; dangerous-weapon charges attach to criminal use.
Iowa has no statewide preemption, so cities and counties can add stricter rules. Check local ordinances before carrying. Blades over 5 inches still meet the dangerous-weapon definition for other statutes.
Not legal advice. Statuses reviewed September 2026 from state statutes and reputable trackers. Laws change; verify the current statute or consult a lawyer before buying or carrying. See the full 50-state comparison.
The Law in Detail
Key statutes: Iowa Code §§702.7, 724.4A, 724.28
Iowa classifies any knife with a blade longer than 5 inches as a dangerous weapon, and names daggers, razors, stilettos, and switchblades as dangerous weapons regardless of length. Merely owning a ballistic knife is a felony punishable by up to five years and a $750 to $7,500 fine, and offenses in weapons-free zones under §724.4A draw twice the otherwise applicable maximum fine. Statewide preemption is codified in §724.28.
Iowa Knife Law FAQ
Are switchblades legal in Iowa?
Are butterfly knives legal in Iowa?
Is it legal to carry a knife in Iowa?
What size knife can you legally carry in Iowa?
Traveling Through?
Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to Iowa
Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US, including right here in Iowa. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.