Knives and pepper spray in Arkansas (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Arkansas makes it an offence to carry a handgun, knife or club with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ it as a weapon against a person. A 'knife' is a bladed hand instrument three inches or longer and expressly includes switchblades. A permitted pepper spray or tear gas container may hold no more than 300 millilitres.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | Under section 5-73-120(a) a person commits the offence of carrying a weapon by possessing a handgun, knife or club on or about the person, in a vehicle he or she occupies, or otherwise readily available for use, with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ it as a weapon against a person. A 'knife' is a bladed hand instrument three inches or longer that is capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death by cutting or stabbing, including a dirk, a sword or spear in a cane, a razor, an ice pick, a throwing star, a switchblade and a butterfly knife. Carrying a weapon is a Class A misdemeanour. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | Section 5-73-120 does not distinguish locking or one-handed knives. A switchblade and a butterfly knife are named in the definition of 'knife', and the offence still requires a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the knife as a weapon against a person. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | A fixed blade falls under the same definition and the same purpose requirement: a bladed hand instrument three inches or longer capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death, including a dirk. The section does not set a separate rule for fixed blades. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | Subsection (c) lists circumstances in which carrying a weapon is permissible, including: in the person's own dwelling or place of business or on property in which he or she has a possessory or proprietary interest; as a law enforcement officer, correctional officer or member of the United States Armed Forces acting in the course of official duties, or assisting one; while upon a journey (travel beyond the county in which the person lives), except through a commercial airport security checkpoint or in checked baggage that is not a lawfully declared weapon; and as a licensed commissioned security guard in the course of duties. Acts of 2021 and 2025 amended the list. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | A switchblade is expressly included in the definition of 'knife'. As with other knives, carrying one is an offence only with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ it as a weapon against a person. [1] |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | No maximum blade length. For the carrying offence a 'knife' is a bladed hand instrument of 3 inches or longer that is capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death. [1] |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | A permitted tear gas or pepper spray container may hold no more than 300 millilitres (raised from 150 cc by Act 566 of 2021). [2] |
Notes
- The text read is section 5-73-120 as rewritten by Act 746 of 2013. Acts 766 of 2021 and 508 of 2025 amended only subsection (c). The Arkansas Code itself could not be read from an official site, so other later amendments were not seen.
- No provision of the Arkansas Code on pepper spray was found in the official texts that could be read.
Sources
- Arkansas State Legislature: Act 746 of the Regular Session 2013 (HB 1700), amending Arkansas Code 5-73-120 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arkansas General Assembly: Act 566 of 2021 (HB 1597): concerning the possession and use of pepper spray or tear gas (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Arkansas and neighbouring states
| State | Folding pocket knives | Locking or one-handed knives | Fixed-blade knives | Pepper spray | Exceptions and legitimate reasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Offence only with purpose to use it unlawfully | Same rule; switchblades named in definition | Same rule; 3 in or longer counts as a knife | ⚠ Not yet verified | Home, business, journey, officers on duty |
| Louisiana | Not named; concealed "dangerous weapon" banned | No separate rule; dangerous-weapon rule applies | Concealed carry of a dangerous weapon is an offence | ⚠ Not yet verified | Concealed handgun permit holders exempt |
| Missouri | Concealed carry banned only in restricted areas | ⚠ Not yet verified | Concealed ban only in restricted areas | ⚠ Not yet verified | — |
| Mississippi | Concealed carry of listed knives is an offence | Switchblade: no concealed carry | Concealed carry banned; visible sheath not concealed | ⚠ Not yet verified | Home, business, vehicle; sports activity |
| Oklahoma | Knives not listed; proper use allowed | ⚠ Not yet verified | Not listed; proper use allowed | ⚠ Not yet verified | Self-defence, hunting, fishing, recreation |
| Tennessee | Knives no longer in the go-armed offence (2014) | No separate rule; knives deleted from (a)(1) in 2014 | Knives no longer in the go-armed offence (2014) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Texas | No carry ban for blades up to 5.5 in | No separate rule | Over 5.5 in: listed places; under-18s need supervision | Small commercial dispensers excluded | School authorisation |
More rules in Arkansas
- Cannabis
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (urban districts)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14 (learner's licence)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible Class C items only) · Minimum age to buy: 12
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $11.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only · Hands-free use: Allowed (not under 18)
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 15 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.