Illinois vagaries

[mballai]

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the laws in Illinois. It seems like you can have a knife at home--no concealed carry here. There's a clause that is rather vague something to the effect of "intent to use a knife illegally" Is self-defense "illegal" in Illinois and how would an officer upon finding a 5-inch fighting knife to determine the owner's intent--by the type, by mindreading, what?

I'd also like to use a baton or martial arts style nightstick, but I can't tell if they lump them by association with other instruments--I'm not sure even a baseball bat would pass the test.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

Unless you live in Chicago or another city that restricts blade length, any size knife you carry is technically legal. The best response, if asked about a knife is to say that it is your pocket knife and that you use it for utility. If you have not broken other laws and you should be alright. Of course, this is not absolute and you should use common sense about what and where you carry. Illinois law does say that any knife under three inches is not presumed a weapon unless it has been clearly used as one, so at least you are free to carry any small non-auto. I believe batons and sticks are illegal and you could be prosecuted for simple possesion with one of these items. Remember, I am not a lawyer. What I have saud is based on my reading and the experiences of others I know.