|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
June 18, 2010, 01:11 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 10,435
|
Help with Illinois Knife Laws
Moderators, as far as I can tell this topic is within the rules and placed in the proper forum. However, if I'm mistaken please feel free to close, delete, or move this thread as you feel necessary.
OK, I'm going to be traveling to Illinois to visit family in a couple of weeks. Obviously, I cannot legally carry a handgun in IL, at least not in any manner in which it would be useful, so I began to think about carrying a knive instead. I always carry a Kershaw Tanto Blur assisted opener which is, as far as I can tell, perfectly legal in IL. I would like, however, to carry my Cold Stell Counter-Tac II if legal to do so. The knife I'm referring to is a double-edged fixed blade with a blade slightly longer than 3". Now, as far as I can tell, my Cold Steel would be considered a "dangerous weapon" according to IL law. However, as I read the law, carrying of a "dangerous weapon" is only illegal if I carry it with "intent to harm another in an unlawful way" which is a category that self-defense would not seem to fall under. My question is, can anyone with more knowledge of IL knife law offer any guidance? I don't want to carry my Cold Steel if doing so is likely to get me arrested, even if the charges would not stick. In that case, it's just not worth the hassle to me and I'll just stick with my Kershaw. |
June 18, 2010, 07:35 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2002
Posts: 287
|
Where are you going in Ill?
In most of the state 4" is the legal maximum with no switchblades allowed. Chicago has it's own rules 2.5" is legal maximum. Have not heard of any other cities having their own knife laws but as always I am not a lawyer and as always could be wrong. Good luck NukemJim
__________________
"Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb at" "Guns shoot bullets. People shoot people." |
June 18, 2010, 09:52 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 10,435
|
I'm going to the central part of the state, Champaign-Urbana area
|
June 21, 2010, 08:38 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2002
Posts: 287
|
Been away for a few days, sorry was not trying to ignore you.
Downstate they tend to be MUCH more reasonable about gun/knife possesion IMHO. With Champaign-Urbana being home to UofI they may have some unusual laws but I have never heard of any. I am not a lawyer and as always I could be wrong Best wishes and good luck. NukemJim
__________________
"Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb at" "Guns shoot bullets. People shoot people." |
June 22, 2010, 06:51 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
|
If I'm not mistaken, www.handgunlaw.us has information on state knife laws. Might be a helpful link for you.
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson |
June 23, 2010, 02:20 AM | #6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 30, 2010
Location: Chicago 'Burbs
Posts: 543
|
webly: there are 2 crieteria governing knives/edged weapons in the state of IL. While there may be more restrictive municipal laws in place (chicago, etc...) the following is the state law:
Quote:
__________________
Sig P226 .40s&w/9mm -- Kimber Pro CDP .45ACP -- Radom P64 9X18mm Makarov -- Dan Wesson RZ-45 Heritage .45ACP -- Ruger SR22 .22LR -- M&P9c 9mm Springfield Armory Inc. M1A Scout 7.62X51mm NATO -- Kar 98AZ (1917 Erfurt) 8mm Mauser -- Marlin Model 60 Glenfield .22LR -- Marlin 795 .22LR -- Marlin 915y .22LR -- AR15 5.56x45mm NATO -- Springfield Armory M1 Garand 30-06 |
|
June 27, 2010, 02:12 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 20, 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 10,435
|
THORN74, you are technically correct as far as I can tell. The key to IL law, as I read it, is "intent". The thing that worries me is how vaugley "intent" could be interpreted. I'm really not particularly worried about Champaign-Urbana itself as I am about some of the smaller towns nearby such as Monticello, Tuscola, Atwood, and Bement. Some of these smaller towns have some, shall we say, overly zealous police officers (this comes from firsthand experience as I grew up in that area) and I can see them wanting to hassle someone driving a car with out-of-state plates. My line of thinking is that it would be easier to establish "intent" with a fixed-blade, double-edged fighting knife such as my Cold Steel than it would with a single-edged, general purpose folder like my Kershaw.
Honestly, I don't really think any charges stemming from me carrying my Cold Steel would be likely to stick given how vauge "intent" is, but the hassle that would be involved just isn't worth it to me when it could be so easily avoided. Last edited by Webleymkv; June 27, 2010 at 03:35 PM. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|