My Bowie knife dillemma

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
2,954
I want to carry my Bowie knife. I use it as part of my job, providing services to farmers. I often need to get through a thin treeline, fencerow, ditchline, etc. to go from field to field on an ATV, and the Bowie has saved me countless hours by clearing my path, so I don't have to drive miles to get in from the other side. I don't own a machette or hatchet, and anyway this knife works 10 times better (for my purposes) than either one. And, the law looks upon hatchets, axes, machettes, and Bowies with equal contempt anyway.

So how can I carry this knife legally? I'm quite sure it could be considered a "dangerous weapon". ["720 ILCS 5/33A-1... A person is considered armed with a dangerous weapon... when he carries on or about his person
or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
dangerous weapon of like character."]

From what I can find, it's NOT a crime to simply be "armed with a dangerous weapon". It only becomes a crime when you also intend to hurt someone. [" Illinois Criminal Code 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of
Weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use
of weapons when he knowingly... (2) Carries or possesses
with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a
dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto,
broken bottle or other piece of glass... or any other
dangerous or deadly weapon of like character..."]
My emphasis is on the "carries with intent to use unlawfully against another". So it seems in Illinois, intent is part of the law. I do not intend to ever use this knife as a weapon, so does that mean it's OK for me to carry it? ["Illinois Case Law:
- "Possession of hunting knife is not a crime; however,
knowingly carrying or possessing dangerous weapon with
intent to use same unlawfully against another constitutes
offense..." (1982)"]
I also noticed the law says nothing about concealment. I thought about making a special case for this knife to be attached directly to the 4-wheeler. I figured it would be less frowned upon if it were not immediately accessible, much like unloading a casing a firearm. Or would this just make it a "concealed weapon"?

I'm still afraid no matter what I do, if a cop ever stops me and sees a 21" knife, I won't be able to convince him it's legal.
 
well,

if it were me.....

does it look well used? that and explaining your job might deescalate things.

or just toss it in your toolbox until you go into the field.

but yeah, i'd bet most LEO's would go on the defensive seeing a GREAT BIG KNIFE. would i blame them? no. but it's damn frustrating for a knife user/junkie...

M
 
Keeping the knife in a case or toolbox sounds like a good idea. If you're not self-employed it would be a good idea to ask the boss if it is okay to use a Bowie knife on the job.

I remember a cemetery worker that used a First World War bayonet for groundskeeping but that was many years ago.
 
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