Please change the information on this page to reflect the recent changes in Illinois law. Please update, Illinois law has changed! Im assuming most of these laws were written to counteract gang violence in South Chicago. brass knuckles illegal. Metal knuckles can cause severe injuries to a victim. In World War I and World War II, brass knuckles were often attached to knives to use in trench warfare. NO WAY! A lawyer could probably use your self defense intent as your intent to harm someone who attaches you, screwed up isnt it. Can you please elaborate on throwing knives (non-folding, single edge blade, less than 6) in the greater Chicagoland area? Brass knuckles, nevertheless, can be viewed as deadly tools. It gets a bit confusing, but even more so when you consider local and regional laws within a state. ANYTHING ABOVE 3in blade is illegal to carry without a security clearance. -Chuck N, "KnifeUp's series of knife reviews was really helpful. The case of People v. Marquita in 2012 found that having a steak knife can count as an unlawful use of weapons when there is clear evidence that you are going to use it to harm someone. -Must not be subject to a pending arrest warrant, prosecution or proceeding for an offense or action that could lead to disqualification to own or possess a firearm. In public? I have a carry permit from another state and I am allowed to have my firearm in my vehicle concealed when I am in Illinois. Category III dangerous weapons are metal knuckles. The hilt is where the factory handle ends and the measurement from the tip to the hilt must be less than 3 inches. Im sorry Im so confused. Anyone know how exactly this would work, legally speaking? Carrying or owning brass knuckles is illegal in Illinois, and using brass knuckles to injure is a felony charge. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 16 for a folding knife under 16 and 18 for anything over. The Reader's Digest Version: The mere possession of brass knuckles is illegal under two separate sections of the Penal Code in California.It is a wobbler. Brass knuckles are known as one of the most effective self defense weapons. Did you not read the article? Doesnt matter if you have intent when it breaks the length requirement. So its legal to carry a bowie knife as long as you do not intend to harm someone? Schools shouldnt be freked out by it Its a toy. Kakushibuki are way more useful. Sully, find yourself a good S.O.G. Why are brass knuckles illegal but not guns? A railroad spike is not illegal to carry if you DO NOT have nefarious intent. It has been awhile since switchblades were made legal to carry in IL, yet no one can tell us if it is now legal to conceal carry a blade longer than 3, with a FOID Card/CCW license. There is one caveat; Illinois residents MUST have a foid card(firearm owners ID card).. Stupid :yes, but remember this is Illinois. Yes I totally agree. The excerpts are truncated by me with [] whenever it goes off into something that is unrelated to knives. I have a sheathed knife that is just under 5 and a half inches and i am 16 years old is it illegal to conceal cary a knife that long at my age do I need some sort of permit? The 4 inch blade is considered a dangerous weapon but can be carried as long as you dont intend to harm others. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. So sadly, you cannot carry one the best weapon of self defense with you everywhere only because lawmakers think it unwise. Brass knuckles are legal in many states, but they are illegal in California, Michigan, Illinois and Vermont. This is unlike some other states who have determined that knives with holes through which to place your fingers and knuckles, do count as metal knuckles. Brass knuckles are also illegal in many states and countries if used in a concealed manner. Say the wrong thing to police and you will be arrested. -Electronic copy of training certificate(s). If youre outside of Metro Chicago, you can pretty much carry anything. Some of those places are excluded under the written permission part, such as courthouses. There are different tools and equipment that we typically require to use in various situations in our lives. You can NOT use any artifice or creative argument to change the length of a knife. yes i understand all the different classes of illegal weapons, and i understand that any blade over 3 is illegal to carry. The other police officer said legal or not, hell arrest any questionable or suspicious individual carrying anything other than what he considers a standard folding pocket knife. I found a great knife that did exactly what I wanted to do thanks to them. 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. I say stay far away from the edge of the cliff rather than seeing how close to the edge you can walk without falling. Only if it can be found (by a police officer or in a court of law) that your intent was to harm someone. -An Illinois Digital I.D. Its also important to know the county and city ordinances. Didnt read whole page, so I might have missed it but as of August 2017, switchblade are legal as long as you have a FOID and are 21. A open carry hunting knife may slide in some areas of Illinois, but a sword? Is it illegal to own a pair of brass knuckles? Save carrying that for the zombie apocalypse. There are a lot of nutcases out there, and im sure id be glad if i had a KA-BAR in one of those dangerous situations. -Justin M. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. I would like to carry that same knife in Chicago. On switchblades or automatic knives. Illinois P.A. AUTOMATIC KNIVES are ILLEGAL IN ILLINOIS UNLESS YOU CARRY A VALID FOID (FIREARMS OWNERS IDENTIFICATION) CARD! In illinois a blade up to 3 is legal to carry while in chicago the blade limit is 2.5. Ive open carried at high school football games as well as baseball games and basketball too. Category III dangerous weapons are metal knuckles. Is it then illegal to carry it even if I have no intent to harm anyone? They have recently allowed FOID holders to possess switchblades. Here are a few QUICK FACTS to keep you in safe hands from the LAW - All ballistic knives are illegal to possess Illinois SB 607 repealed the ban on switchblade knives in Illinois on August 11th 2017. A 1958 federal ban that remains in place forbids the manufacture, importation . What would I have to do to carry a sword in public? Otherwise, you could argue that you found it and wanted to keep it as a collectible (antique) in your basement! But from what Ive read, it sure looks like you can get in serious trouble just for possession if youre out in public. Illinois knife laws are more bent towards determining someones motives in carrying a knife. Bowie knives and other large knives are legal. Brass knuckles are legal in some of the states while in other they are illegal and heavy charges are pressed against the person who violates these laws. James Dimeas is a nationally-recognized, award-winning, UUW lawyer. However, for what its worth, the ordinance is fairly clear when it comes to knives in Chicago. 6 inch blade, 10 inch bowie? I do not carry inside any store , or wear on my belt/hip while driving ,but it would be in my truck. It will always measure less than 3 and they are not very expensive. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. The case of People v. Gazelle found that the knife ban in section (a)(1) only applies to switchblade knives or ballistic knives. This includes brass knuckles that are used as jewelry, accessories, or anything else exhibiting them. This law says that, if you commit a felony with a dangerous weapon and hide it at a place funded by the public, you will be slapped with a Class A misdemeanor in addition to your other charges. This is what I was looking for and couldnt find a clear answer. I suppose not as long your of age 16+ and its 3. (1) Armed with a dangerous weapon. http://wgntv.com/2013/08/01/family-carjacked-at-gunpoint-in-schaumburg/. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Theres nothing that says its okay to carry if its visible. Not sure what will happenwith switchblade & auto knives in Illinois when or if it passes. . If youve ever owned a kitchen knife for cutting meat before (and you likely have), you know theyre not built to last. So, I take it you can open carry a Bowie knife? A lot easier to handle than a heavy K-Bar. By FindLaw Staff | That being said, be reasonable and smart. What about a Kershaw Launch 4 in IL and Chicago . You can carry a 10 hunting blade if your intent is to hunt. Contact a qualified product liability attorney to make sure your rights are protected. This section of the law also gives us a good idea of what the legislature means when they say dangerous weapon.. (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. All kinds of soldiers and fighters used brass knuckles mainly for self-defense and to tackle an enemy on the ground directly. Its not like changing the grips on a gun. So technically open carrying a bigger knife such as a hunting knife is ok as long as I dont have intent to harm and its sheathed? Lol. All I hear is that there is no limit to what size but then I hear only 3 inches is allowed. No. In light of all that, would a one-retention-ring design be legally safer to carry? The State Trooper pulled the client out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest. I live in Illinois as well. Legally Yes, according to my interpretation of the law. Am I reading this correctly that the knife blade is illegal to carry if it is three inches or more? If you are being charged with a UUW, you can always contact James Dimeas for a free and confidential consultation. The judge is permitted to sentence the defendant to up to one year in jail and fine him $2,500. For myself, having looked into this, for EDC, my knife blade of choice is going to be 2-7/8 inches. I certainly dont intend to harm anyone with my collection. 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. The definition allows the label of Armed with a Dangerous Weapon in the commission of a crime. IF THE MILITARY,AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND FIREFIGHTERS CAN USE THEM, THEN WHY CANT THE REST OF THE CITIZENS. State law defines intent as attempting to injure another person by using a knife. 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. If the cane is used in an unreasonable manner, to repel an unwanted advance by a . (just make sure you are well concealed when riding the Metra & CTA). Knuckle weapons were staples for all kinds of soldiers to take care of the duels and altercations. A knife of any kind (in IL) is measured from the hilt. Thats just my 2 cents.cheers,J. On top of all these specific rules, the case of People v. Fort in 1970 found that, even if an item is not specifically listed as a dangerous weapon, it can still count as a dangerous weapon by the way it is used. or a less than 3 curved like the spyderco Harpy? You can speak to James Dimeas personally by calling him at 847-807-7405. Brass knuckles are illegal in the District of Columbia. 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