← Tennessee knife laws›Concealed Knife Carry

Tennessee Concealed Knife Carry (2026)

Permitted: Tennessee does not restrict carrying a knife, openly or concealed; the carrying-with-intent-to-go-armed offense (T.C.A. 39-17-1307(a)(1)) reaches only a firearm or a club, not knives.

PermittedVerified Jul 30, 2026

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Official source: publications.tnsosfiles.com →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Concealed Knife Carry in states bordering Tennessee

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

AlabamaPermitted
Alabama's concealed-weapon statute (13A-11-50, as amended 2022) now covers only a pistol or firearm, so concealed carry of a knife is not restricted by state law.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasPermitted
No blade-length or concealment limit; Arkansas criminalizes carrying a knife only when done with unlawful purpose to use it as a weapon (Ark. Code 5-73-120).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: arkleg.state.ar.us · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaPermitted
An adult may carry a knife concealed in Georgia; only a knife with a blade over 12 inches is a regulated weapon, and a lawful weapons carrier may carry even that (O.C.G.A. 16-11-126).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: gov.georgia.gov · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyPermitted
Since 2019 (SB 150) Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry of deadly weapons — including non-ordinary knives — for adults 21+ who may lawfully possess them (KRS 527.020).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MississippiConditional
An adult may carry a common knife concealed; concealed carry of a bowie, dirk, butcher or switchblade knife is a misdemeanor unless licensed under 45-9-101 (Miss. Code 97-37-1).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov · Full Mississippi rule →
MissouriPermitted
Adults may carry a common knife concealed; an ordinary pocketknife (no blade over 4 in) is excluded from the weapons definition, and concealed knife carry is barred only in 571.107 locations.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
North CarolinaConditional
Carrying a concealed bowie knife, dirk, dagger or other deadly weapon of like kind (off one's own premises) is a Class 2 misdemeanor; an ordinary pocketknife carried closed is exempt (N.C.G.S. 14-269).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
VirginiaConditional
An adult may carry a common folding pocketknife concealed, but concealing a dirk, bowie, stiletto, ballistic knife, machete or like weapon is a Class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code 18.2-308).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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