Knife Laws in Illinois: What You Need to Know About Your Rights? If you want to be on the right side of the law when it comes to knife laws in Illinois, you need to know the rules.
Whether you are a collector of knives, enjoy being outside, or carry one with you for your everyday jobs, this guide will explain the most important things you need to know about owning and carrying knives in Illinois.
The rules for guns in Illinois are pretty clear, but there are a few exceptions and restrictions that any knife owner should be aware of.
Overview of Illinois Knife Laws
In Illinois, knives are classified as dangerous weapons, and both state and local laws say that they cannot be used. By this, we mean that you can own and carry some tools but not others. This is where it becomes very essential to distinguish between the two to avoid getting into trouble with the law.
The grouping of cutlery in Illinois is according to 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 own fixed-blade knives as hunting and camping tools. In public, though, you may not be allowed to carry them because of their size and the purposes for which they are designed.
Kitchen Knives: Clearly, you can own and use kitchen and food knives in the home. But if they resemble guns, carrying them in public, even for good purposes, will probably get you into trouble with the law.
Limited Knives
Automatic Knives: Switchblades and other automatic knives were illegal in Illinois until recently. But as of 2017, the state law changed to allow those with a legal Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to carry certain types of automatic knives.
Individuals who do not have a FOID card are still prohibited from owning or carrying switchblades.
Ballistic Knives: Ballistic knives are totally banned 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
The law of Illinois does not specify what is the minimum length of a knife, but every city and town may have its regulations. For instance, Chicago has a stricter rule:
According to the law in Chicago, you are not allowed to carry a knife in public that has a blade longer than 2.5 inches. This law applies even if the knife is not hidden and is being carried in public. You could be fined or even face criminal charges if you break this law.
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 for knives in public places, schools, or government buildings, definitely it is out of the question. It all boils down to paying attention to where you are and the knife you are handling.
Schools and Public Buildings It is illegal to carry any kind of knife in or around public parks, schools, or colleges. You can receive a felony arrest simply for having a knife on school property, regardless of how big it is or what it is being used for.
Public Transportation: Buses, trains, and other public transportation have their own rules concerning knives. If you are found carrying one on these systems, you could be fined or taken away.
Exceptions and Special Considerations
In Illinois, when it comes to carrying automatic knives, there are some exceptions. These include people in the military, police officers, and those with a legal FOID card.
For example, if you have a FOID card, you can own and carry automatic knives, which is against the law for everyone else.
Some knife laws by Illinois also have accepted the use of ‘reasonable use’ defenses. For instance, perhaps you can take knives publicly if one uses them when working or at play on a hobby activity like hunting or fishing. All that onus is to demonstrate that said use is permitted.
Consequences of Violating Knife Laws
Breaking any of Illinois’ knife laws has serious consequences that may include fines, losing the knife, or even jail time.
There is a possibility to be charged with a crime or a misdemeanour if, for instance, one is found carrying a prohibited knife or violating any of the local rules.
Conclusion
To avoid 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.
