If you want to stay on the right side of the law when it comes to knife laws in Illinois, you need to know the rules.
Whether you own knives as a collector, like being outside, or carry one with you for everyday jobs, this guide will explain the most important things you need to know about owning and carrying knives in Illinois.
Illinois has pretty clear gun rules, but there are some exceptions and restrictions that every knife owner should know about.
Overview of Illinois Knife Laws
In Illinois, knives are considered dangerous weapons, and both state and local rules say they can not be used. By this, we mean that you can own and carry some tools, but not others. To stay out of trouble with the law, it is important to tell the difference between the two.
Cutlery in Illinois is grouped by the type of blade, the length, and the purpose for which it is meant. Let us look at the most important parts:
Legal Knives in Illinois
folded Knives: It is legal to own and carry common folded knives like pocket knives and utility knives. This knife must not have a blade that opens itself when you push a button or use some other mechanical help.
Fixed-Blade Knives: You can also legally own fixed-blade knives, like hunting and camping tools. In public, though, you might not be able to carry them based on their size and purpose.
Kitchen Knives: It is clear that you can own and use kitchen and food knives at home. But if they look like guns, carrying them in public, even for good reasons, could get you in trouble with the law.
Restricted Knives
Switchblades: In Illinois, switchblades and other automatic knives were banned until not long ago. But as of 2017, Illinois law changed to let people with a legal Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card carry certain types of automatic knives.
People who do not have a FOID card are still not allowed to own or carry switchblades.
Ballistic knives are not allowed at all in the state of Illinois. A ballistic knife is one whose blade shoots through the air like a missile. These knives are very dangerous and are against the law in the state.
Throwing Stars: Because they are risky, Illinois law makes it illegal to own throwing stars and other similar weapons.
Knife Length Restrictions
Illinois law does not say what the maximum length of a knife should be, but each city or town can make its own rules. As an example, the city of Chicago has tougher rules:
The law in Chicago says that you can not carry a knife in public that has a blade longer than 2.5 inches. Even if the knife is not hidden and is being carried publicly, this law still applies. If you break this law, you could face fines or even criminal charges.
Outside of Chicago, state law does not set a specific length limit for knives. However, police may question you if they think you are carrying a knife with the plan to commit a crime.
Where You Can and Cannot Carry Knives
You can have a legal knife on your own property, like your home, car, or business.
But having knives in public places, schools, or government buildings is strictly forbidden. It is important to pay attention to both where you are and the knife you are holding.
Schools and Public Buildings: It is against the law to carry any kind of knife in or near public parks, schools, or colleges. If you are found with a knife on school grounds, you could be charged with a felony, no matter how big the knife is or what it is used for.
Public Transportation: Buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation often have their own rules about knives. If you are caught with one on these systems, you could be fined or have it taken away.
Exceptions and Special Considerations
When it comes to carrying automatic knives, Illinois has some exceptions for people in the military, police officers, and people with a legal FOID card.
For instance, if you have a FOID card, you can own and carry automatic knives, which is against the law for everyone else.
In some situations, Illinois also accepts “reasonable use” defences. As an example, you might be able to carry knives in public places if you need them for work or for fun hobbies like hunting or fishing. But it is up to the person to show that their use is legal.
Consequences of Violating Knife Laws
There are serious repercussions for breaking Illinois’ knife laws, such as fines, having the knife taken away, and even jail time.
Depending on the situation, you could be charged with a misdemeanour or a crime if you are caught with an illegal knife or breaking local laws.
Conclusion
To stay out of trouble with the law in Illinois, you need to know what knife rights you have. You can legally own a lot of different kinds of knives, but having knives can be illegal in some places, especially public places.
It is important to check both state and local rules, especially if you plan to carry a knife in Chicago or another city. If you want to follow Illinois’ knife laws, you should always be careful and aware of your surroundings.
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