Sully, find yourself a good S.O.G. Getting caught twice with a ballistic knife when wearing a mask is a class 3 felony. If you want to EDC a 3+ inch knife in Illinois I guess thats your call. Thumb stud assisted,or flipper assisted,perfectly legal. The case of People v. Chrisos found that a piece of broken glass that was 2 to 3 inches in length counts as a dangerous weapon since the edge is a blade. Florida law does make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or expose for sale any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as brass or metallic knuckles. Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six. Legally Yes, according to my interpretation of the law. No. It is a folding knife and I have it just for self defense. HOWEVER, as always, dont take my word as final authority. i openly carry my knife always, people will always assume the worst, if you are not threatening in any way, there should not be a problem. There also has been some unique cases that have further defined what a dangerous weapon is. Despite black markets, the deepweb, and underground weapon trading, they believe banning switchblades will reduce knife-related assaults and murders. Thats just my 2 cents.cheers,J. Save carrying that for the zombie apocalypse. Final Takeaways. Under Limits on Storage and Possession, Unauthorized Possession or Storage of Weapons: (a) Whoever POSSESSES or stores any weapon enumerated in Section 33A-1 [720 ILCS 5/33A-1] IN ANY BUILDING OR ON LAND SUPPORTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITH PUBLIC FUNDS OR IN ANY BUILDING ON SUCH LAND WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER FOR SUCH LAND OR BUILDING, COMMITS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR. Six to one, half dozen to the other. (a) Legislative findings. The problem is that its all about perception too. Meaning the blade must be UNDER 3.0? I have my foid card and live in IL, far from Chicago, (down by St Louis), but not sure if the blade length will get it confiscated or not. You figure out the rest. If the knife has some goofy badass graphic on it or even if the brand names it something ridiculous that gives an air of being used for causing physical harm, either explicit or poetic?). (a) Whoever possesses or stores any weapon enumerated in Section 33A-1 [720 ILCS 5/33A-1] in any building or on land supported in whole or in part with public funds or in any building on such land without prior written permission from the chief security officer for such land or building commits a Class A misdemeanor. You can carry any knife as long as it is not one of the banned knives listed above and that you do not have the intent to harm someone or break the law. Seems like its a bit of a gray area. (5) For the purposes of this subsection (c), public transportation agency means a public or private agency that provides for the transportation or conveyance of persons by means available to the general public, except for transportation by automobiles not used for conveyance of the general public as passengers; and public transportation facility means a terminal or other place where one may obtain public transportation. And if you do ever use it, again, you had it originally for utility purposes and you simply used it in self-defense because it happened to be on you for those other reasons. If you are being charged with a UUW, you can always contact James Dimeas for a free and confidential consultation. The governor signed a bill repealing the switchblade ban. DO NOT ever say youre carrying it for self defense you will be charged and arrested. However, the case of People v. Kohl in 2006 found that, just because a push knife that has two holes to put your fingers threw does not make it a metal knuckle. Would OTF knifes legal in Illinois it says multiple times with valid foid card is this true. Crossbows, Common or Compound bows and Underwater Spearguns are exempted from the definition of ballistic knife as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Section. boot knife at a sporting goods store Bass Pro or Cabelas average price $25. When brass knuckles are used in a fist fight, they can cause serious injuries or death. I dont think Illinois knife laws are fair at all. It would be an aggravating factor if used in the commission of a crime. From experience, even though the criminal charges for the possession of brass knuckles is the same as the possession of a firearm, criminal defendants charged with possessing brass knuckles are generally not treated as harshly in Court as criminal defendants who are charged with a possession of a firearm. Two of them had no idea it is now legal to carry switchblades. Some states have recognized this as an exception to the automatic knife restrictions. The Launch 4 is California legsl. Wild Kat Keychain. []. Is it illegal to carry a knife if you have commited a class a misdemenor? . Automatic knives are now LEGAL in Illinois. You have to know the laws of your area before purchasing any weapon, and brass knuckles are no different. The main reason they are likely still banned is that no one cares. A person is considered armed with a dangerous weapon for purposes of this Article, when he or she carries on or about his or her person or is otherwise armed with a Category I, Category II, or Category III weapon. Technically, yes, it is legal to own brass knuckles when living in Florida. Also if I can in Chicago whenever I go there. WHYCANT I HAVE THE SAME TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER. Brass knuckles are illegal in the District of Columbia. Today, KnifeUp is the home to knife experts who provide clear, unbiased, practical advice on buying and maintaining knives to make your life easier. LOL! The governor sign a bill into law just recently in August 2017. Some states are fine with them, some require you be 18 to own them, and others just make them illegal. As of January 28, 2020 SB2535 (Repeal of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Chicago also has additional knife laws. Kinda confused so can I carry concealed throwing knives that the blades are 5 inches in a public place that isnt a school or places like that as long as I have no intention of hurting someone, I just laughed really hard. We reviewed 5 of the leading ceramic knife sets on Having a tool in your kitchen is essential, but the same tool becomes worthless if you dont know how to use it effectively. Publicado en . Three inches is measured from the tip to the handle (ie. -Must have a valid Firearm Owners Identification card. Why Are Brass Knuckles Illegal Anyway? However, I always have to tell people that Im not a lawyer and you cant take my word as final. This section of the law also gives us a good idea of what the legislature means when they say dangerous weapon.. That said, you must settle the drop point vs clip point debate first. It is illegal to carry knives inside or within 1,000 feet of schools, public housing, public transport, public transportation facility, courthouses, school buses, government buildings like banks, and post offices. Please answer. or a less than 3 curved like the spyderco Harpy? I have a butter knife, is ok to butter my bread, or will the over bloated gubboment come and arrest me? Some of those places are excluded under the written permission part, such as courthouses. Chicago city proper for instance has much tighter rules as you would probably expect. I own a katana. -16 hours of Concealed Carry firearms training provided by an Illinois State Police-approved instructor. What if I dont conceal it and carry it open on my belt, is it then considered legal as I am not concealing it? if the blade passes outside your palm width its considered deadly because the tip can reach the heart thru thechest, So I have a 4inch blade that I carry on me in my pocket. Illinois Law places brass knuckles in the same category as a gun or a knife. It isnt a crime in and of itself. Why tf would you carry a rail road spike? yes railrods are soposed to be bilt by chineses, Why would you need to carry a railroad spike?, no it shouldnt be i have carried one before, Yea carry that spike up your ass that would be legal also. Provides an exemption from the prohibition on sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of a switchblade knife to a person who possesses a currently valid Firearm Owners Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police or to a person or an entity engaged in the business of selling or manufacturing switchblade knives. What about swords? If anybody would like toread up on SB2535 here is the web address https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1186769. By carrying a knife with a blade of at least 3 inches in length, you are considered armed with a dangerous weapon specifically a Category II weapon. Effective immediately. Is it then illegal to carry it even if I have no intent to harm anyone? For myself, having looked into this, for EDC, my knife blade of choice is going to be 2-7/8 inches. Earlier this week, I met with a client who was pulled over by the State Police for driving 38 miles an hour over the speed limit on the Tollway. Whether youre looking to buy a knife, sharpen it or understand the knife laws, KnifeUps 11-year strong library of over 300 pieces of professionally researched content will answer your questions with straightforward answers. A single finger brass knuckle is equivalent to a full-fist brass knuckle under the law. On August 14, 2017, the Illinois general assembly: exempt are persons that possess a valid FOID card. Its an automatic OTF knife with a 3 and half inch blade. If you are caught with brass knuckles, you will be charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor. Note that I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Thanks! There is also language that you cannot have these items within 1000 feet of schools and their property, courthouses, and housing projects. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. The client did not realize that driving 38 miles an hour over the posted speed limit in Illinois is a crime. "Metal knuckles" (a.k.a. If you are caught with brass knuckles, you will be charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor. this knife looks like it includes knuckes, so it could reasonably be said that they are a type of brass knuckes. Firms, Complaint For Loss Due To Product Defect and For Discovery, What it means to be charged with violating your state's brass knuckle law, including elements of the crime, potential defenses, and negotiating any possible plea deal, If you or a loved one has been the victim of brass knuckle violence, whether you can recover damages from the assailants, their employers, or a third party that may have had a duty to prevent brass weapons from being used. -A valid drivers license or state identification card. So, when you use the knife for self defense, your intend to use the shiny part to blind them or something? What Im curious about is could I possibly open carry my Ka-Bar in illinois and if not, will I have to resort to one of my smaller foldable karambits. Never use brass knuckles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Most likely the 2.5 to 3 laws you hear about are more county or city base laws or tips to avoid hassle if caught with one during random inspections or traffic stops etc. Of course, every case is different so you should consult with an experienced Unlawful Use of Weapon criminal defense attorney about your specific case. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); We have partnered with BladeHQ to offer the best deals for our readers. If you have any questions, ask it in the comment box below. Having brass knuckles, even if for self-defense, is illegal, much to the shock of most people. I would say its fine to have a 4inch blade. It also says; No person shall carry concealed on or about his person a dagger, any knife with a blade more than two and one-half inches in length, or other dangerous weapon. In some countries, it is completely illegal to possess brass knuckles. And unauthorized storage of your weapon at a park is a third charge. 720 ILCS 5/24-1, Unlawful Use of Weapons. If the cane is used in an unreasonable manner, to repel an unwanted advance by a . A knife of any kind (in IL) is measured from the hilt. Though probably not expressly illegal to carry, a railroad spike has one use and one use only; railroads. All I hear is that there is no limit to what size but then I hear only 3 inches is allowed. This includes brass knuckles that are used as jewelry, accessories, or anything else exhibiting them. So from what i read i am able to flip my balisong in public correct? Are you allowed to carry or have in your possession an automatic knife if you currently have a valid FOID card. If youre outside of Metro Chicago, you can pretty much carry anything. If youre not arrested on the spot, youll be causing all sorts of commotion and calls to the police. When the State Trooper asked my client if there was anything in the vehicle that he wanted the Trooper to be aware of, the client told him that he had a pair of brass knuckles in the center armrest of his vehicle. Hey Gina;As always, we need to say were not lawyers and cant give you official advice. I suppose not as long your of age 16+ and its 3. Here is what case precedence and the legislature has determined. Carrying a cane or walking stick for self-defense is also legal in Oklahoma. I live in SD where the knife laws are pretty much non existent. Its not a standard thing to be carrying on your person so it would raise more questions unless you worked for the railroad or something. If you are caught with brass knuckles at a place that is licensed to sell alcohol, or at any place that has received a government license to have a public gathering, or any place that charges people a fee, you could be charged with a Class 4 felony, which carries a possible prison sentence of 1 to 3 years. Is it illegal to own brass knuckles in the US? From what I saw any blade over 3inches is considered a dangerous weapon but a dangerous weapon is Legal as long as youre not doing anything illegal with it. Or even carry them on me Just want to be certain whether or not I can own certain knives. This article will give you the basics of Illinois knife law in simpleeverydaylanguage. Theres some conjecture about more than one retention rings being construed as knuckles if under the context of direct legal scrutiny. Having a dirk, razor, stiletto, switchblade, ballistic knife, or any other dangerous weapon at a place listed above will cause the class A misdemeanor to increase to a Class 4 felony. No need to beat around the bush about this. James Dimeas is a nationally-recognized, award-winning, UUW lawyer. I just wanted to inquire about the laws. For shame. When used properly, brass knuckles can help police officers subdue suspects without causing serious injury, and they can also help protect officers from harm. Man up and help defend yourself, other helpless victims around you and ultimately, your community. However, there is no clear statements about what can be concealed and blade length seems to be an issue. Chicago Suburban w/ LMF II, travel to and fro on Metra Id rather be alive and wrong, than dead and right. You can research state laws (as I do) on each states homepage where all the statutes are listed. Not near any schools not in Chicago or any suburb near there, but in small town Illinois. Im thinking of buying a karambit is it illeagal? Does factory stated length bear any weight in the determination of length regarding the legal definitions available to us? Brass knuckles are still illegal in Texas, and these kitty key chains fall into that category, the police said. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. It says that having a ballistic knife on you when you are wearing a mask on any property listed above will upgrade the offense from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony. Illinois knife laws are a confusing mess but these are a general guideline you should follow. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. So like most ,people in Illinois , i remain a bit confused on the law. Now while Id say a 4inch blade is fine Im no lawyer or anything so I may be wrong but I do believe thats what the law was saying. Even if they are not illegal in your state, you must still use extreme care when handling them. I have asked three police officers whether carrying it is legal or not. Contact us. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. Dont carry a samurai sword around town and expect not to cause a panic and get confronted by police. Not in Chicago. They are also among the most used by reputable knife manufacturers. 33 Reply [deleted] 7 yr. ago Is that legal in Illinois. One may carry a knife as long as there is no intent to harm another person. Places You Aren't Legally Allowed to Carry Knives. You can look up ordinance 8-24-020 on Google and you can read through the whole thing (not too long or boring) which outlines lots of small points I cant write here. Or is 3.0 legal? Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any [] metal knuckles or other knuckle weapon regardless of its composition, throwing star, or 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, or a ballistic knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material or compressed gas; or, (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, stun gun or taser or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character; or. That is why you should ponder on the question that are brass knuckles illegal before buying them. 1) ANY knife with A BLADE OF AT LEAST 3 INCHES IN LENGTH is enumerated as being a dangerous weapon in Section 33A-1 [720 ILCS 5/33A-1. We have partnered with BladeHQ to offer the best deals on high-quality knives for our readers. It is a wobbler. Legal ? This applies in states where concealing brass knuckle weapons is illegal. ANYTHING ABOVE 3in blade is illegal to carry without a security clearance. Our Second Amendment says, A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The Second Amendment does not specifically state firearms but all arms and this can include the weapons listed on this website however it could be costly to test this in court. Nothing in this restriction involves intent. There's a fine line between self-defense and assault. Over 3 inches? http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0082, Wait so balisongs are legal So trainers are a-ok. It is illegal to carry brass knuckles without a concealed carry permit and can lead to assault charges, fines, and detention. I wish to carry a hunting knife with a blade of 6 inches or more not only while hunting but outside on private property and sometimes while walking park trails where we walk our dog. I open carry an 8 inch (The blade is 8 inches) Ka-Bar knife in a sheath on my hip. Like most folks i have talked to we really just do not know if this is illegal or legal.who knows for sure? The state of Illinois has fair knife laws. If you carry a cane, be careful. The question will be (if you are confronted with an officer) what is your intent, and as long as you can make a very good argument in favor of your peaceful intentions, you should be good. Its all about intent. They were kinda right, and kinda wrong. Its explained here and as of the last update in 2018 nothing has really changed in those regards. Does this law with knives apply the same to firearms as it pertains to non-residents? Long story short, your knife is fine to carry. (2) A Category I weapon is a handgun, sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, any other firearm small enough to be concealed upon the person, semiautomatic firearm, or machine gun. Checklist prior to applying for an Illinois Concealed Carry License for Illinois Residents. Further, keep in mind that taking parts and pieces from railroads, even when theyre not attached to the rails yet, is often considered theft. Also, check recent legislation, automatic knives are now legal to carry with an FOID. Am I allowed to have it. The National Trial Lawyers named James Dimeas a Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer. AVVO rates James Dimeas as Superb, the highest rating possible for any UUW lawyer in the United States. 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