It seems that in illinois a 3 inch+ blade knife is considered armed with a dangerous weapon. I got a 3.25 inch buck tempest assisted opening knife. Is that legal to carry around if i use it for fishing and everyday use. IS it only illegal if i use it to hurt someone or is it always illegal. ALso im thinking of getting my son the tempest also would it be illegal for a miner???
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strange??? illinois laws very confusing???
- Thread starter snowball
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The laws in Illinois--contrary to what some people believe--are pretty specific and very much in line with the rest of the country, I think.
If you're only using the Tempest for hunting and fishing, no one will really stop you, even in Chicago, except to ask to see it and find out how you like it.
In theory, it's always illegal, but in practice, you can easily get by with an even larger blade--just don't walk around with it in public. You can certainly wear it while hunting or fishing or camping or even working on your landscaping at home.
Movie theaters, shopping malls, public transportation hubs--these would be bad places.
I would not give a similar knife to a minor, however: all it takes is a friend of his to tell his mom "but his parents let him carry a Buck Tempest," and well--he'll lose the knife at the least, and possibly get in trouble at school.
If you're only using the Tempest for hunting and fishing, no one will really stop you, even in Chicago, except to ask to see it and find out how you like it.
In theory, it's always illegal, but in practice, you can easily get by with an even larger blade--just don't walk around with it in public. You can certainly wear it while hunting or fishing or camping or even working on your landscaping at home.
Movie theaters, shopping malls, public transportation hubs--these would be bad places.
I would not give a similar knife to a minor, however: all it takes is a friend of his to tell his mom "but his parents let him carry a Buck Tempest," and well--he'll lose the knife at the least, and possibly get in trouble at school.
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720 ILCS 5/33A-1 limits the blade length to 3" or under. If you have over 3" of blade, you're carrying a weapon.
That's the fact of the law. The "theory" is that you'll be arrested for doing it; the reality is that you'll be okay carrying it when fishing, hunting, or camping. You'd need to be doing something else--loitering, selling illegal goods and services, speeding and driving recklessly, whatever--for the average law enforcement officer to make a deal about your blade throughout Illinois.
And my experience has been that you can wear a pretty good size blade in a lot of places without attracting any attention from the law.
That isn't to say you won't get a bad deputy on a bad day... but that's true regardless of the blade size. A lot of people here can tell you that a perfectly legal blade under perfectly legal circumstances can still cause a lot of problems on a bad day.
Hope that helps.
That's the fact of the law. The "theory" is that you'll be arrested for doing it; the reality is that you'll be okay carrying it when fishing, hunting, or camping. You'd need to be doing something else--loitering, selling illegal goods and services, speeding and driving recklessly, whatever--for the average law enforcement officer to make a deal about your blade throughout Illinois.
And my experience has been that you can wear a pretty good size blade in a lot of places without attracting any attention from the law.
That isn't to say you won't get a bad deputy on a bad day... but that's true regardless of the blade size. A lot of people here can tell you that a perfectly legal blade under perfectly legal circumstances can still cause a lot of problems on a bad day.
Hope that helps.
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great point from Watchful...as long as you don't cause any trouble in public places or attract any attention for being boisterous then you should be ok.
i carry a folder--often a balisong, and i've never had any trouble with the law. if i do go in public places such as the mall or train/subway, i simply put my knife in my pants' pocket or pocket of my jacket and not use the pocket clip. i find that the pocket clip attracts more attention, especially if it's a shiny SS clip (at least i notice it on other people who clip their knives on their pockets).
i carry a folder--often a balisong, and i've never had any trouble with the law. if i do go in public places such as the mall or train/subway, i simply put my knife in my pants' pocket or pocket of my jacket and not use the pocket clip. i find that the pocket clip attracts more attention, especially if it's a shiny SS clip (at least i notice it on other people who clip their knives on their pockets).
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Thanks, Saint!
Ironically, my experience with law enforcement and knives has been one of curiosity and genuine interest, not a request to take anything away. "Hey--is that a palm knife? Do you like it? Is it sharp? Where can I get one?"
The odds are significant you'll encounter more problems from security officers at public buildings and spaces than from LEO.
Ironically, my experience with law enforcement and knives has been one of curiosity and genuine interest, not a request to take anything away. "Hey--is that a palm knife? Do you like it? Is it sharp? Where can I get one?"
The odds are significant you'll encounter more problems from security officers at public buildings and spaces than from LEO.
This type of legislation is common and is an ice breaker law. It opens the door for other searches etc. when law enforcement wants to check you out. Law enforcement can't check you out randomly. They have to see a light out, seat belt unbuckled, and then the door is open. Context will play alot as mentioned above. A 4 inch knife at a baseball game is a lot different context than out in the woods wearing camo. I live in Illinois and when I'm working around the house I use my MT Lightfoot. When I go outside my yard the little old Swiss Army Knife goes in the pocket.