Doesn't look good for ken onion in chicago

[TLR]

I travel to chicago regularly since I live in NW Indiana and was actually there last night and man were there leo's everywhere. The protesting is ridiculous anyway I usually carry my BM806D2 and decided last night to leave it in the car just in case.

Today I looked up chi-town knife laws and wasn't very happy with what I found

8-24-020 Carrying dangerous weapons

...No person shall sell, offer for sale, keep, possess, loan or give to any person any knife, the blade of which is release by a spring mechanism...

...No person shall carry or possess any knife, the blade of which is released by a spring mechanism...

...No person shall carry concealed on or about his person a pistol, revolver, derringer or other firearm or dagger, dirk, stiletto, bowie knife, commando knife, any blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including known knives as "switch-blades" or any other type or kind of knife, any blade of which is more than two and one-half inches in length...

Note that these laws aren't worded using any terminology about buttons, switches etc. "just released by spring mechanism"

I was also pretty dissapointed about the 2.5" concealed. I usually carry my 806 in my right front pocket. Even though the top and clip shows with a coat on, as is the case right now in chicago, an leo could probably interpret at will.

Just thought you guys might find all of this interesting.

Travis

 

[ROBB]

...No person shall sell, offer for sale, keep, possess, loan or give to any person any knife, the blade of which is release by a spring mechanism...

I don't believe Ken Onions folders are released by spring mechanisms.You have to use your thumb to release the blade then it is taken over by the spring mechanism.

 

[TLR]

I stopped and thought about that a little before I posted but as is the current pc trends, especially in chicago and illinois for that matter I have a feeling that the fact that the blade is even spring assisted would be enough for many leo's if not public prosecutors from trying it.

At the least there is a lot less room in this wording than many other "switchblade" laws that i have seen and I don't know that I have any desire to be a test case.

 

[LenJ]

The blades are not released by spring mechanism. I would not consider them switchblades. Blackouts and Whirlwinds are common carry knives for LEO's here and I've not heard of anyone comparing them to switchblades. In my experience you have to being trying really hard to get locked up for violating the municipal code dealing with blade length. The Chicago Police generally have alot more important things to worry about.

 

[switched]

TLR certainly has a point.

Of course the application may vary depending on location, but Au Customs etc are very clear about knives of this kind falling foul of the 'spring assisted' definition. If a spring assists in ANY way in opening, even if not a switchblade and even if you have to do whatever first, it's good night Irene.

An 806D2 would not contravene in that respect. But it might well have a problem on a 'gravity assisted' basis. Here at least, they are less concerned about that.

 

[TLR]

LenJ - In my experience you have to being trying really hard to get locked up for violating the municipal code dealing with blade length.

I agree. On a general basis I don't worry about it a great deal but with the current level of protests and the rsponse by the number of leo's I just felt like it was probably somewhat smarter to leave my 806 in the car rather than risk any problems with an leo who is slightly on edge. As someone once told me "never piss off a cop in riot gear" I had to pick up my brother off of michigan and they were everywhere and since I can't fault an leo for being more wary in those situations I thought prudence won out.

You may also be correct about kershaws being common carry but I'm worried about the officer that isn't common

 

[TLR]

Do we have any Chicago LEO's that might want to give their opinion on this. I really am kind of interested to find some more out without calling up a station and possibly putting unfounded interest on it (which might go the wrong way).

Thanks
Travis

 

[beemerphile]

If everyone who loved freedom simply moved away from jurisdictions with bonehead laws like this, then the ones that remained would deserve what they got. Enacting stupid laws ought to cost them tax revenue. "Why's everybody leaving?" "Because your laws are stupid, you a-hole!" Two and a half inch knife, give me a frickin' break. "No citizen shall carry a knife with a blade longer than Daley's dick."

- Lee

 

[J-man_the_jet]

To clear things up:

On a spring assited knife The centriugal force is applied DIRECTLY to the blade, not thru the handle. Therefore under most legal definations it is NOT a switchblade or automatic knife.

It is not realsed by a spring mechiansim as well, it is relased via a Torison bar after using manual force to push the blade out 5 - 20% of the full opening.

(read that twice)

 

[switched]

That's interesting J, but it doesn't alter the bottom line on these, with Au Customs, LEO's etc. They're a no go.

And there will be other jurisdictions with the same attitude/interpretation.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Guys, back a while ago, a judge in California interpreted a CA law prohibiting concealed carry of knives that are "capable of use as a stabbing weapon", interpreted that statute to apply to a Spyderco Rescue (sheepsfoot blade, no point whatsoever, and impossible to use as a stabbing weapon).

I'm sure weapons laws have been interpreted even more broadly since 9/11. A DA with something to prove, combined with a bubble-headed judge, can get you in deep. Even if you get the interpretation overturned on appeal, how much will that cost you? $10k? $20k?

I've always thought that as soon as someone used one of these assisted-opening knives to actually defend themselves, the party would be over on these things. I won't carry one, and lament the fact that the trend seems to be getting hotter (e.g., Camillus's awesome new knife being used as a vehicle to introduce their version of assisted-opening knives).

Just my opinion, mostly based on gut feel, but there it is.

Joe

 

[Kneecleaver]

You are talking about a city that censors gun books and magazines from libraries and mom and pop stores, and won't sell spray paint either. You know, the people who brought us the chicago housing authority.