IL Knife Laws: anyone know for sure?

J

JSEliot36

Joined
Sep 29, 2011
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5
Hey guys, do we have any legal eagles in the forum or anyone familiar with IL knife laws? I am having a devil of a time figuring out what I can and can't carry with me. (not talking about Chicago which I know has a 2.5" blade length limit.) I'm talking about everywhere else, and assume for the sake of discussion that there aren't any county or municipal ordinances which I've already checked. And, I know that anything super-cool is illegal like switchblades, balisongs, etc.

So I'm just talking about a regular EDC folder and general state of IL laws.

From what I can find online, it's unclear. It certainly mentions a 3" blade length, and that carrying one means that you're armed with a dangerous weapon. HOWEVER, it also seems to say that being armed with a dangerous weapon isn't a crime in itself. Rather if you committed a crime with it, or while in possession of it, you'd be charged with more serious crimes because you have it on you.

What the heck? Can I just carry the darn thing while going for a walk, minding my own business, not bothering anyone, or if I get a ticket for jaywalking am I now gonna be sent to Gitmo?

And guys, I know that I could probably pop in to my local police department and ask them but...I don't know. I just don't want to do that. One, I'm not even sure I would trust that the desk clerk knows for certain and two, meh, it makes me feel like a criminal in a way. And that's silly, I realize. If I could just find the right answer I could avoid the whole thing.

And to be honest, my reason for asking is because I'm looking for a new EDC knife and the ones I really, really want are 3" or slightly more. And, I want to be a good citizen and follow the laws of the land. I don't want to carry something illegal.

Thanks.
 
I was told to not carry one with a blade exceeding 4 inches. It changes from officer to officer but if they can tell you use it as a tool then they will be more ok with it. They will still take it away from you during a search (and I wouldnt hold your breath on getting it back) but a routine traffic stop or talking with them on the street, I highly doubt they would take it from you or even ask to see it.

I always thought IL left their laws so vague for a reason...
 
They're not confusing at all.

You can carry any type of knife you wish to carry, provided you are carrying it for lawful purposes. That means if you are out fishing, you can carry a 6" fishing knife.

The length limit only applies if you're acting or intending to act unlawfully. If you're caught entering an old lady's home at 3AM, that 6" fishing knife becomes a deadly weapon.

Run a search on Google for "Illnois knife laws" bladeforums.com and you'll see there's only a few posts. Illinois, despite its reputation, is actually pretty open-minded about knives.

Or read this.
 
Watchful said:
They're not confusing at all.

You can carry any type of knife you wish to carry, provided you are carrying it for lawful purposes. That means if you are out fishing, you can carry a 6" fishing knife.

The length limit only applies if you're acting or intending to act unlawfully. If you're caught entering an old lady's home at 3AM, that 6" fishing knife becomes a deadly weapon.

Run a search on Google for "Illnois knife laws" bladeforums.com and you'll see there's only a few posts. Illinois, despite its reputation, is actually pretty open-minded about knives.

Or read this.
Click to expand...

Probably one of the best answers for Illinois yet. I too live in IL and get away with a bit more being a FF/Medic, but even when off duty or before I was hired, I carried a 4 inch folder. Act lawfully and nobody cares. If you read the laws, it mentions how any item can become a dangerous weapon if used that way. dont be stupid about it or act unnaturally or unlawfully and its not a problem. I've never been stopped for having a pocket clip etc. Most cops wont be irrational unless they feel they have to be.

One other thing that may factor in is age. Roughly how old are you?
 
Illinois law is intent oriented. My reading is that a knife over 3" can be deemed a weapon if one is seen to be up to no good. A larger knife is not by itself automatically assumed to be a weapon. The one catch is state property, on places like college campuses or other facilities, 3" is the actual blade limit. Of course, no knives at all should be taken into a court house.
 
Really appreciate the replies, guys. As someone who is about to start EDC'ing a knife (mid 30's to answer TB above), it's nice to have a forum like this with knowledgeable, experienced users who have probably heard the question a million times but still answer patiently and with civility. That's rare, especially for the internet. Although, all you've really done is encourage me to buy some knives--my wife and my wallet won't be happy with you! And really, the ones I'm considering are about 3 3/8" max so we're not even talking about some giant machete that would draw attention anyway.

Hope I didn't come off as a sheepish scaredy-cat. It's more that, while I probably believe that the law is far too restrictive on regular, normal, law-abiding citizens, I still believe in following it while working for it's correction so I'm probably being extra cautious.

Cheers.
 
I'm younger than you and live in a suburb of chicago, I've even carried in chicago. while playing tourist in chicago with relatives 2 times we unexpectedly went into the sears tower. Both times while walking through the security, I removed my knife wallet etc and showed them to the security guard. Neither time did either question confiscating it. once I was only 19 and was with my girlfriend at christmas time, no "responsible/older" adult and he didnt even ask questions, the other i was with older relatives. Come off as a law abiding citizen carrying a tool and thats how the see it. Demeanor is everything with the law in IL.
 
I'm younger than you and live in a suburb of chicago, I've even carried in chicago. while playing tourist in chicago with relatives 2 times we unexpectedly went into the sears tower. Both times while walking through the security, I removed my knife wallet etc and showed them to the security guard. Neither time did either question confiscating it. once I was only 19 and was with my girlfriend at christmas time, no "responsible/older" adult and he didnt even ask questions, the other i was with older relatives. Come off as a law abiding citizen carrying a tool and thats how the see it. Demeanor is everything with the law in IL. To the OP, my email is in my profile, feel free to drop me a line if you live near chicago or in a chicago suburb and want to talk knives.
 
Personally, I like intent-driven law for two reasons:

1. They assume that if you're up to good, that's never against the law. Go ahead and carry whatever you want, so long as you don't hurt people with it.

2. They further assume that once you decide to bad things, *anything* is against the law at that point and can be used to complicate your guilt further. This is why Illinois, like many states and unlike others, doesn't bother to list EVERY TRENDY weapon that people carry over the decades. So instead of listing what you can or cannot carry, Illinois elects to define when an object--no matter what it is or was--becomes illegal.

That strikes folks as vague or deceptive or even mean...but in fact, it works to the carrier's advantage.

And to TacticalBlade, I've carried knives into and out of Chicago like you for decades. Never had a single problem. I know people, on the other hand, who have been asked about their knives totally out of interest in buying one like it! Chicago folk aren't scared of knives, either, which is why I maintain that Illinois--despite many claims to the contrary--is pretty knife friendly.
 
Watchful said:
Personally, I like intent-driven law for two reasons:

1. They assume that if you're up to good, that's never against the law. Go ahead and carry whatever you want, so long as you don't hurt people with it.

2. They further assume that once you decide to bad things, *anything* is against the law at that point and can be used to complicate your guilt further. This is why Illinois, like many states and unlike others, doesn't bother to list EVERY TRENDY weapon that people carry over the decades. So instead of listing what you can or cannot carry, Illinois elects to define when an object--no matter what it is or was--becomes illegal.

That strikes folks as vague or deceptive or even mean...but in fact, it works to the carrier's advantage.

And to TacticalBlade, I've carried knives into and out of Chicago like you for decades. Never had a single problem. I know people, on the other hand, who have been asked about their knives totally out of interest in buying one like it! Chicago folk aren't scared of knives, either, which is why I maintain that Illinois--despite many claims to the contrary--is pretty knife friendly.
Click to expand...

Just thought of a perfect example of what you're talking about--chefs. Surely one is allowed to transport his work tools to and from his job, or to a professional sharpening service, or to purchase them and walk home with them, etc. And some of those knives are quite large, upwards of 8". Yet I've never heard of mass-arrests of chefs for carrying and possessing large, scary, sharp weapons--because they're tools, not weapons.
 
Watchful said:
Personally, I like intent-driven law for two reasons:

1. They assume that if you're up to good, that's never against the law. Go ahead and carry whatever you want, so long as you don't hurt people with it.

2. They further assume that once you decide to bad things, *anything* is against the law at that point and can be used to complicate your guilt further. This is why Illinois, like many states and unlike others, doesn't bother to list EVERY TRENDY weapon that people carry over the decades. So instead of listing what you can or cannot carry, Illinois elects to define when an object--no matter what it is or was--becomes illegal.

That strikes folks as vague or deceptive or even mean...but in fact, it works to the carrier's advantage.

And to TacticalBlade, I've carried knives into and out of Chicago like you for decades. Never had a single problem. I know people, on the other hand, who have been asked about their knives totally out of interest in buying one like it! Chicago folk aren't scared of knives, either, which is why I maintain that Illinois--despite many claims to the contrary--is pretty knife friendly.
Click to expand...

I dont think you were being critical of my statement, I was just trying to emphasize that even the times where I essentially deliberately ignored the under 2.5 inch rule, and it could have escalated into an issue was there no question as to its purpose. I think the general mantra of civillians towards police is that "everyone is guilty until proven innocent." In all honesty, chicago in the media comes off as complete hard-asses about the laws and about carrying X,Y or Z but I think thats a perception they want. Most cops arent going to be a jerk about anything unless you deserve it. And, If carrying knives over 3 inches which i believe illinois law defines as a dangerous weapon, why can stores sell and you buy knives larger? In illinois, Fireworks are illegal and thus, stores cannot sell, nor can you buy them. Never thought about it that way until just now but it is true.
 
Just looked it up for Chicago- it's officially a 2 inch limit if you're younger than 19 years old, 2.5 inch limit if you're older than 19 years old.

I've got a question on top of that though- say you're carrying an Izula. The cutting edge length is 2.88 inches, over 2.5 inches. But since it's curved, just the straight length of the blade is at the 2.5 inch limit. I know that intention and purpose is everything when it comes to EDCing, and a fraction of an inch probably won't make a difference, but would an Izula be considered within the 2.5 inch limit since that's the straight length, or is it measured by the curved cutting edge length? Does anyone know which one they use for length?
 
I'm not aware of anyone actually measuring. I think the officer would size it up by eye based on how you were using it, and then use his or her discretion accordingly.
 
This might sound stupid but is an assisted opening knife considered automatic in Il if it doesn't have a button? I have a few automatic's with the buttons that I know I can't carry, not to say they haven't been, but if its just a normal thumb open with a spring is it still illegal?
 
I can't say for certain. It's a fair question. I would think not, but my opinion doesn't matter.
 
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