Thinking of Geting a personal knife though I live in Chicago

[Madmann135]

I am looking into getting a knife or two that I can carry concealed in Chicago. I know the laws in Chicago for self defense are more for the criminal's well being and the length of the weapon is severely limited.

I was looking into throwing knifes, the professonal kind with the short blade, heavy and well balanced.

I found this one on E-bay and wonder would it be legal in Chicago? Someone said that 6 inches is the limit for the knife... It has a 2-3/4 inch blade and an overall length of 5-1/4 inches. Would that be legal in chicago to carry concealed?
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-EA-GOTHIC-STAR-SPIKE-THROWING-KNIFE-KNIVES-DAGGERS_W0QQitemZ220031815562QQihZ012QQcategoryZ88907QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I do not like living in chicago, so I will move out the first chance I get.


All information would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[UFMetalEng]

You'd be better off asking in the Knife Laws Forum. They would have specific answers for your questions.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

 

[rebeltf]

I found this one on E-bay and wonder would it be legal in Chicago? Someone said that 6 inches is the limit for the knife... It has a 2-3/4 inch blade and an overall length of 5-1/4 inches. Would that be legal in chicago to carry concealed?

I doubt it , since I am sure that constitutes a dagger. IMO your better off buying something of better quality and more innocuous in appearance.

 

[Madmann135]

Thanks rebeltf

 

[Watchful]

You can have a folding knife in your pocket, with a total blade length of 2.5" or LESS... only.

Fixed knives, daggers, any exotica, etc., are outlawed to carry in any fashion.

You'll generally find the suburbs much more lax in this regard, but some areas follow Chicago pretty closely (Oak Park, Cicero, and most of the North Shore suburbs) with regard to what's considered a weapon. Be careful when moving to the suburbs that they don't mimic Chicago's laws.

 

[reconseed]

I doubt it , since I am sure that constitutes a dagger. IMO your better off buying something of better quality and more innocuous in appearance.

I would add my support to this comment... But then again, I say carry whatever you want.. This is the USA, and any government that has laws restricting LAW ABIDING citizens from owning and having arms to protect themselves is not morally responsible if you ask me... I say carry what you want, dont go looking for trouble and you will be fine... then again you can always fall back onthis.... "its better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6." do as you may sir.

 

[g2knee]

If it is any kind of fixed blade, I believe it is illegal. I live in Chicago as well, and I've heard you are "legally" allowed to carry a folding knife with a blade of 4 inches or under.

I put "legally" in quotes because if you stopped by an officer for any reason at all, and he finds ANY knife on you, he will take it from you and you'll never see it again. I've lost a couple good knives this way. It's a shame they don't know half the laws they're trying to enforce.

 

[schluterc]

As far as I know IL law states 3 inches or less, Chicago is 2.5 inches. I definately would NOT carry a fixed blade downtown! As others have said, don't be a jerk and you'll be fine. Generally I carry up to 3.25 inches and never had a problem. I see plenty of people with knives over 2.5 inches everyday. If I know I'm going into a building that has extra checks, I'll stick to the 2.5 rule or go "knifeless". Same goes for large events/festivals/concerts, etc. You may be a model citizen but if something "happens" at a large gathering, you may be lumped together with others while "they" sort out the facts. You don't want to be the guy with anything illegal when that happens. EDIT: I'm refering to folding knives here, not fixed.

 

[Watchful]

If it is any kind of fixed blade, I believe it is illegal. I live in Chicago as well, and I've heard you are "legally" allowed to carry a folding knife with a blade of 4 inches or under.

Again, refer to my post above or Schluterc's below--

2.5" or less. Folding only.

 

[rebeltf]

I would add my support to this comment... But then again, I say carry whatever you want.. This is the USA, and any government that has laws restricting LAW ABIDING citizens from owning and having arms to protect themselves is not morally responsible if you ask me... I say carry what you want, dont go looking for trouble and you will be fine... then again you can always fall back onthis.... "its better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6." do as you may sir.

I agree 100% , I just didn't feel comfortable putting what I would do upon someone else , if he got busted I would feel guilty as hell !

 

[reconseed]

I agree 100% , I just didn't feel comfortable putting what I would do upon someone else , if he got busted I would feel guilty as hell !

Perhaps sir, however, I have strong convictions about my GOD-GIVEN rights, not rights given to me by ANY government. The gov. doesnt have the right to give me rights... (wordy I know) They only make laws around our GOD GIVEN rights and say what the gov. CANNOT do. With this in mind, I just think if a law abiding gentleman wants to carry a knife in his pocket, then by all means he should and he will. law or no law. It is a sad day in America when the gov. places bans on the first step towards ANY remote form of technology the world ever saw. I rebuke it. Just me though. Good luck and do as you may sir.

HOOOOAH!

 

[diamdave]

Interesting. The cops I talked to down on Wabash told me as long its not automatic, they pretty much leave you alone. Did not specify folded vs. fixed, obviously auto refers to folders.

 

[Watchful]

Interesting. The cops I talked to down on Wabash told me as long its not automatic, they pretty much leave you alone. Did not specify folded vs. fixed, obviously auto refers to folders.

As I've said elsewhere, there's a difference between the letter of the law and the enforcement of it. Although Chicago is terribly strict, the Chicago police have always been very good about understanding what's a knife and what's a weapon.