If you are wondering “are katanas legal in Florida” before you buy, the short answer is yes. Florida allows you to legally own katanas and other swords. You can keep them at home, collect them, practice with them, and in many cases carry them in public as long as you respect open carry, concealed carry, and location rules.
Florida handles weapons under Chapter 790 of the Florida Statutes, which defines what a weapon is and sets rules for concealed carry and restricted places. Swords and katanas are treated as weapons or knives, not firearms. This guide breaks down Florida katana laws in simple terms, so you can confidently buy a real katana, understand what is legal, and avoid obvious legal mistakes.
Are Katanas Legal in Florida
Yes. Katanas are legal to own in Florida.
Florida law does not ban swords or katanas. There is no statute that says katanas are illegal to buy or possess. Instead, Florida defines a weapon broadly and then regulates how it can be carried and where it can be brought.
Under Florida Statutes section 790.001, a weapon means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt bladed table knife.
A katana is a long, fixed blade sword capable of causing serious injury. So legally it is a weapon or knife under this definition. That does not make it illegal to own. It simply means that katana carry and use is governed by the same rules that apply to other deadly weapons.
Florida also has a specific ban on ballistic knives, but that does not affect katanas. Ballistic knives are self propelled blades, which are completely different from traditional swords.
Florida Knife and Sword Law Overview
Florida katana laws mainly come from:
- Section 790.001 Definitions of weapon, concealed weapon, and related terms
- Section 790.01 Carrying a concealed weapon or concealed firearm
- Section 790.10 Improper exhibition of dangerous weapons
- Section 790.115 Weapons on school property and school events
These sections work together to create three main rules:
- You can own and possess swords like katanas.
- Open carry of knives and swords is generally allowed, but brandishing is not.
- Concealed carry of a weapon without meeting legal requirements can be a crime.
Owning and Buying a Katana in Florida
Owning a katana in Florida
Florida does not restrict katana ownership. You can:
- Own a katana at home
- Buy more than one sword
- Display them on stands or on the wall
- Use them for martial arts or cutting practice in a safe setting
No permit, license, or registration is required to legally own a sword.
Buying a katana in Florida
You can buy katanas in several ways:
- Knife shops or specialty blade shops
- Martial arts and weapon stores
- Online katana shops such as Pacific Armory
Florida does not have a statute that makes it illegal to sell swords to adults. As long as the sword is not a banned type like a ballistic knife, the sale is legal.
Katana Shipping and Import Laws in Florida
Katana shipping into Florida
You can legally have a katana shipped to your Florida address. Retailers can send swords by UPS, FedEx, USPS, or other carriers, as long as they are properly packaged and labeled. There is no Florida law that bans mailing swords to customers.
Katana import laws
If you want to import a katana from another country, such as Japan or China, that is also generally legal. United States customs focuses on accurate description, value declaration, and safety. There is no federal or Florida level ban on importing traditional swords for personal ownership, as long as they are not disguised or prohibited designs like ballistic knives.
From a practical buyer perspective:
- Katana shipping to Florida is legal
- Katana import for personal use is legal
- You can safely buy katana online and have it delivered to your door
Can You Open Carry a Katana in Florida
This is the part most people worry about.
Open carry
Florida law does not specifically ban open carry of knives or swords that are otherwise legal weapons. Legal analysis and knife law summaries commonly state that open carry of knives, including larger fixed blades, is generally allowed in Florida, subject to location based restrictions.
However, there are two important limits:
1. Brandishing
Under section 790.10, it is unlawful to exhibit any sword, sword cane, firearm, or other weapon in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner in the presence of one or more persons, except in necessary self defense. So you can legally carry a katana on your belt, but you cannot wave it around or display it in a threatening way.
2. Sensitive locations
Schools, courthouses, and certain government buildings restrict or prohibit weapons, including knives and swords. You cannot legally bring a katana into these locations.
In simple terms, open carry of a katana in Florida is generally legal, but you must carry it responsibly and avoid restricted locations.
Concealed Carry of a Katana in Florida
Concealed carry is handled differently.
Florida Statutes section 790.01 makes it a crime to carry a concealed weapon without legal authorization. A concealed weapon includes any dirk or other deadly weapon carried so that it is hidden from ordinary sight.
Because a katana clearly fits the idea of a deadly weapon, hiding it under clothing or in a way that is not visible to others can qualify as carrying a concealed weapon. Historically, only common pocketknives have been clearly excluded from the weapon definition by statute, not large fixed blades.
Florida also has permitless carry for firearms as of 2023, but that change is focused on firearms, not all weapons.
So for a katana:
- Open carry in a non threatening way is generally allowed in many public spaces
- Concealed carry can be treated as carrying a concealed weapon and can lead to criminal charges
Because enforcement and interpretation can vary, many collectors choose to transport katanas in cases directly between home, training, and events, rather than trying to conceal them on their person.
Katanas and Schools in Florida
Weapons and schools are a sensitive combination everywhere, and Florida is no exception.
Under Florida Statutes section 790.115, it is a crime to possess any weapon on school property, at school sponsored events, or on school transportation, except in very limited circumstances.
Since weapon includes dirks and knives, a katana clearly falls under this rule. You cannot take a katana:
- Into K through 12 school buildings
- Onto school grounds
- Onto school buses
- To school sponsored events, with narrow exceptions
This applies even if you are otherwise allowed to carry the sword in public. For most people, the safe rule is simple. Do not bring a katana anywhere near a school or school activity.
Is It Legal To Display a Katana at Home in Florida
Yes. Florida does not regulate how you display legal weapons inside your private home. You can:
- Mount a katana on a wall
- Display it in a stand in your living room
- Build a full sword collection
- Keep a daisho set with katana and wakizashi
The law only becomes an issue if you carry the weapon in public, bring it into restricted locations, or use it in a threatening or criminal way.
Buying a Katana Online in Florida
Because katanas are legal to own and ship to Florida, buying katana online is simple and attractive.
Why Florida katana buyers like online purchase
- Much larger selection than local malls or shops
- Access to high carbon steel katanas instead of only decorative blades
- Ability to choose blade geometry, hamon style, fittings, and scabbard design
- Competitive pricing and specials
- Clear specifications on steel, hardness, and tang construction
You can legally choose a katana online, check the steel type and build quality, complete checkout, and receive your sword at your Florida address just like any other legal product.
What Type of Katana Should a Florida Buyer Choose
Florida law is not restrictive on sword type. You are free to choose based on performance and style.
T10 Katana
Very hard and sharp, ideal for serious cutting and experienced users.
1095 High Carbon Steel Katana
Strong and sharp, a popular choice for cutting practice.
1060 Carbon Steel Katana
Tough and flexible, excellent for beginners and regular practice.
9260 Spring Steel Katana
Very resistant to bending, ideal for demanding cutting sessions.
Folded Steel Katana
Traditional layered appearance with modern performance.
Clay Tempered Katana
Real hamon along the edge for a classic look and strong cutting edge.
You can view all the different types of steels in our article here.
Why Florida Buyers Choose Pacific Armory
Florida buyers who want a real katana, not a cheap wall hanger, often look for:
- High carbon steel blades
- Full tang construction
- Battle ready cutting performance
- Reliable heat treatment
- Clean geometry and alignment
- Quality fittings and wrapping
Pacific Armory focuses on real high carbon steel katanas with full tang construction, battle ready options, and worldwide shipping that includes Florida. Whether you want a functional cutter or a display sword, you can choose a blade that matches Florida katana legal environment and your personal style.
Frequently Asked Questions About Katana Legality in Florida
Are katanas legal in Florida
Yes. Katanas are legal to own and buy in Florida. They are treated as weapons or knives under section 790.001, but there is no ban on owning them.
Are swords legal in Florida
Yes. Swords are legal to purchase and possess. Restrictions focus on how and where you carry them, especially for concealed carry and sensitive locations.
Can you open carry a sword or katana in Florida
Open carry of knives and swords that are legal weapons is generally allowed in Florida, as long as you do not brandish them in a threatening way and you avoid restricted locations such as schools and courthouses.
Can you conceal carry a katana in Florida
Concealed carry of a weapon without meeting legal requirements can be a crime under section 790.01. A katana is almost certain to be viewed as a deadly weapon, so concealing it on your person can be treated as carrying a concealed weapon.
Can I bring a katana to a school in Florida
No. Section 790.115 makes it illegal to possess weapons on school property and at school events, except in narrow exceptions. This includes swords and katanas.
Is it legal to buy katana online and ship it to Florida
Yes. Buying a katana online and having it shipped to Florida is legal. There is no special restriction on shipping traditional swords to law abiding adults.
Conclusion: Florida Is A Strong State For Katana Ownership
Florida laws allow you to own, buy, and display katanas and other swords with very few barriers. You can import them, ship them to your home, and openly carry them in many public places, as long as you avoid restricted locations and do not conceal or brandish them in a threatening way.
If you live in Florida and have wanted a real katana for your collection, training, or display, the law gives you that opportunity.
Since you can legally purchase katanas in Florida, why wait. Buy one now. Here at Pacific Armory we ship katanas all over the world, including directly to your door in Florida. Get your next katana here.