speed assist in illinois

[Brother Methias]

just ordered a kershaw boa and was reviewing the illinois statues:

"(1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any... knife commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
or other device in the handle of the knife"

I'm thinking that since you technically apply pressure to the thumb stud outside the handle of the knife, the speed safe mechanism is legal for illinois use. Any arguments against?

 

[Brother Methias]

BTW the laws specific to the area of chicago are a little more general:

"No person shall carry or possess any knife, the blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switch-blades" "

Here i think you could get into trouble as the speed assist uses a spring mechanism...

So safe in illinois but not in chicago any arguments?

 

[medusaoblongata]

I think your knife should be technically legal. But that won't stop some street cop from calling it a switchblade and arresting you for it. And some overzealous DA might say it's a switchblade and take you to court over it. There I imagine you'd win, but you might have to go that far to prove that your legal knife is legal. So I do think your Boa in Illinois, and even in Chicago, is legal, but I think it would be a major pain to have to convince a judge, jury, DA, or cop that it is legal. I wouldn't carry it if I expected to be stopped, searched, questioned, etc. I would carry it on "safe" days.

BTW, how do you like the Boa? I had a Blackout for a little while and couldn't put it down. Damn those things are fun!

------------------
Jason aka medusaoblongata
-----------------------
"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra