Obviously, it would seem a little unsettling to carry my 7 KA-BAR openly. Can you carry in winnebago county Illinois and Rockford Illinois? It is illegal to carry brass knuckles without a concealed carry permit and can lead to assault charges, fines, and detention. | Last updated December 12, 2022. I would recommend getting a shorter blade as it would cause less questions. "Failing to adhere to this law can result in a misdemeanor." If you are caught with brass knuckles, you will be charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor. It is one step below a felony offense. the hilt). Is this legal in Illinois? Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. You can also be charged with a Class 4 felony for possessing brass knuckles. As of January 28, 2020 SB2535 (Repeal of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Some states are fine with them, some require you be 18 to own them, and others just make them illegal. It is a wobbler. 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. -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. It is 5 and I must know if I can. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. (1.5) A person who violates subsection 24-1(a)(9) in any school, regardless of the time of day or the time of year, in residential property owned, operated, or managed by a public housing agency or leased by a public housing agency as part of a scattered site or mixed-income development, in a public park, in a courthouse, on the real property comprising any school, regardless of the time of day or the time of year, on residential property owned, operated, or managed by a public housing agency or leased by a public housing agency as part of a scattered site or mixed-income development, on the real property comprising any public park, on the real property comprising any courthouse, in any conveyance owned, leased, or contracted by a school to transport students to or from school or a school related activity, in any conveyance owned, leased, or contracted by a public transportation agency, or on any public way within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising any school, public park, courthouse, public transportation facility, or residential property owned, operated, or managed by a public housing agency or leased by a public housing agency as part of a scattered site or mixed-income development commits a Class 3 felony. Can you modify a knife by covering part of the sharpened blade to effectively make it under 3 inches? However, for what its worth, Id say your situation is a bit touchy and a police officer who may find you with an actual sword, would surely question you. Legally Yes, according to my interpretation of the law. I suppose not as long your of age 16+ and its 3. Is an assisted knife counted as a switch blade. -$150.00 payable with a credit card or electronic check. Weird, open carry on a suburban or city street with your knife is illegal in the woods its legal, To my comment a min ago I looked all over the net and still cant find any answers. How old do u have to be to carry a balisong (butterfly) knife, there are no age restrictions on a sharpened blade weapon. Because if someone doesnt have time to see that what you have is a knife, they could be ended very easily. From my interpretation I could carry a roughly 6 inch military surplus bayonet as long as I dont intend to harm anyone? If you are caught with a pair of brass knuckles, you could be facing up to a year in county jail and a fine up to $2,500. You are more likely to get Probation or Court Supervision for the possession of brass knuckles as opposed to the possession of a firearm. I'm really happy I found KnifeUp." Self-defense does not mean youll harm someone any more than an armed police officer WILL use his gun for sure to shoot someone. Mike Pence signed a law that ended a decades-old ban on switchblade knives in Indiana. I use it to cut parcels open that I get from Amazon and ebay.Also to use on hard to open grocery store products. Ive gone through all of this carefully, and my reading of the law is that there ARE restrictions state-wide on carrying a knife with a blade of at least 3 inches in length. Brass Knuckles of any material are not legal and therefore cannot be sold to people in the states of: MA,CA,NY,MI,RI and IL Metallic Knuckles may not be sold to FL. In most states it comes down to intention or appearance of intention. $17. However, the case of People v. Kohl in 2006 found that, just because a push knife that has two holes to put your fingers through does not make it a metal knuckle. So a legal carry knife must absolutely be fully and completely under the three inch mark? Because Im not a lawyer, I could get into some trouble if I actually gave you information without stating that Im not a lawyer and you need to get your official info from a lawyer or paralegal in the state of Illinois. This law bans brass knuckles, throwing stars, switchblades (and other automatic knives), and ballistic knives in the state of Illinois. Guns can be used for hunting and also have self-defense use. I think thats it but countys can have additional restrictions to their discretion. Thumb stud assisted,or flipper assisted,perfectly legal. Some states have recognized this as an exception to the automatic knife restrictions. The law also makes it illegal to open or concealed carry daggers, dirks, razors, stilettos, dangerous knife, and other similar dangerous weapons when you are attempting to harm someone else. Are you allowed to carry or have in your possession an automatic knife if you currently have a valid FOID card. Unlike firearms or knives, brass knuckles do not pose a serious threat to public safety, and so they are not likely to be banned in the state. A school is defined as any public or private elementary or secondary school, community college, college, or university. A 1958 federal ban that remains in place forbids the manufacture, importation . Why Are Brass Knuckles Illegal Anyway? Brass Knuckles and the Law Views on this weapon differ from one state to the next. For myself, having looked into this, for EDC, my knife blade of choice is going to be 2-7/8 inches. Some of the legal factors that an attorney can review with you include: If you use brass knuckles or own a pair or pairs, consider the following safety tips: If you've been charged with a crime related to possession or use of brass knuckles, it can be stressful to handle facing criminal charges. 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. Illegal in many states, brass knuckles are dangerous weapons. Brass knuckles are illegal in the District of Columbia. Im assuming most of these laws were written to counteract gang violence in South Chicago. Only if it can be found (by a police officer or in a court of law) that your intent was to harm someone. The State Trooper found the brass knuckles and charged my client with Unlawful Use of a Weapon (720 ILCS 5/24-1) because of the brass knuckles. Update: as of 2017 switchblade are now legal in Illinois for residents with valid Illinois FOID cards. Some knives that are considered illegal have specific exceptions depending on the carrier. For example, states such asCalifornia, Michigan, Illinois, and Vermont prohibit the possession, sale, or use of brass knuckles. Applications cost $10, may take up to 30 days to acquire, and the minimum age is 21. If you are arrested for carrying or using brass knuckles, your charges will depend wholly on the circumstances of the incident. Are these allowed, can they be concealed and is there a limit on how many I can carry? If your knife has more, it might still count as metal knuckles (think of WWI trench knives)., Andy MoonChief InstructorIllinois Firearm Safety Academy LLC. Brass knuckles are considered a deadly weapon in Illinois, just like a knife or a gun. A single finger brass knuckle is equivalent to a full-fist brass knuckle under the law. The neighborhood is changing and one morning I spotted a loose pitbul. 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. If I get caught with a switchblade, how much is the fine or punishment? It gets a bit confusing, but even more so when you consider local and regional laws within a state. I want to get a knife that is longer than 3 inches and assume I could cover part of the blade with griptape to effectively shorten the overall actively sharp part of the blade. So if I carry one and the cops pull me over or stops me and finds it he cant say anything right? Bras knuckles are really grey actually, they are not illegal of a federal level, its state by state in the US. Youll still be subject to municipal laws which may differ from the rest of the state (as in Greater Chicago). Thats just my 2 cents.cheers,J. Six to one, half dozen to the other. If you inflicted bodily harm on someone using that dangerous weapon even in self defense, you will probably get arrested and then your fate will be up to a court to decide, much as it would if you had legally shot someone in self defense. (1) Armed with a dangerous weapon. The legislature finds and declares the following: (1) The use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a felony offense poses a much greater threat to the public health, safety, and general welfare, than when a weapon is not used in the commission of the offense. Meaning that a wide variety of knives that are listed as three inches are illegal? It looked like the way Coldsteel got to that measurement was by measuring a straight line from the hilt and along the spine so the distal 3.0 inch mark was actually off the blade with the curve leading down away from the ruler. Would OTF knifes legal in Illinois it says multiple times with valid foid card is this true. An attorney can assist in resolving any legal issues you may be facing. Ive been in bars where the police have come in, looked directly at my knife and have never said a word. 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. I have a karambit but I dont know if it is illegal to carry around or not. I certainly dont consider myself to be a violent person and I have no intention of harming anyone, but dropping to ones knees and begging for mercy in the face of an attacker simply isnt the Marine Corps way. Checklist prior to applying for an Illinois Concealed Carry License for Illinois Residents. The state of Illinois only banned the possession of throwing stars, switchblades, ballistic knives, and knives that open with a press of the button. I just wanted to inquire about the laws. Limits on Carry Hello, Im wondering what I can do in my situation. The Law Around Brass Knuckles Legality of Brass Knuckles Before we start, check your local laws before making a purchasing decision. I HAVE ARTHRITIS AND IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO OPEN.I USE IT MAINLY TO OPEN LETTERS OR PACKAGES. Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. Brass knuckles, also called "knuckle dusters" and "knucks," are used as offensive and defensive weapons. Any thoughts on the Cold Steel Double Agent? You can use assisted open knives. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Hawkbill Blade Knife. 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. 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. This is a continuation of the unlawful use of weapons law. I guess my question is, how long of a blade can I open carry? - It's illegal in Missouri to own brass knuckles but today a lawmaker introduced an amendment to change that. While they arent a replacement for tough steel knives, ceramic knives are versatile and ideal for any kitchen. Here are eight reasons why you should consider using brass knuckles in your self-defense: They Are Inhumane: Brass knuckles are not just hard, they are also sharp. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. A lot easier to handle than a heavy K-Bar. If you are carrying, and the blade is 3 inches or greater, you are considered to be armed with a dangerous weapon, and if you are carrying in any public place without written permission to be carrying in that specific public place, you are carrying illegally, which is considered a Class A misdemeanor. They have recently allowed FOID holders to possess switchblades. According to code 720 ILCS 5/24-1 and Section 24-1 of the Illinois Knife Law, it's illegal to carry knives in the following locations . alcoholism, alcohol detoxification, or drug treatment within the past five years. Ive talked to many cops and they say there is no problem with it as long as I dont have the intent to harm. 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. -An Illinois Digital I.D. I have a otf Microtech Ultratech also, mine is the small utx70. That being said, be reasonable and smart. Avoid being charged with a concealed weapons offence by not having the weapon in your possession. Here is what case precedence and the legislature has determined. or a less than 3 curved like the spyderco Harpy? Or is the official length of a blade any part that extends past the guard/hilt/handle out to the tip? FOID card holders can now carry automatics. He said hell make the arrest and let the court decide if the individual had intent to harm. Its simple When you carry a knife regularly, use it as a TOOL as you can; opening boxes, cutting rope, tape, etc. Having said all this, the answer to your question depends on what youre carrying. Just watch out for Chicago as there is no state preemption. You cant carry anything over 2.5 in Chicago, Awesome information well summarized. -Must have not been in a residential or court-ordered treatment for. Screw the law! Essentially, you cant have/own/carry/conceal any knife with a blade longer than 2 inches if youre under 18. Other states, like South Carolina, make possession of brass knuckles illegal only if someone uses them with an intention to commit a crime. Fingers like moving while the knuckles prevent that by padding that hollow with unyielding weight. I live in SD where the knife laws are pretty much non existent. Knowing the specific laws for whichever part of the U.S. you are traveling through is extremely important if you wish to avoid criminal charges. Selling Brass Knuckles In Florida is Illegal. So like most ,people in Illinois , i remain a bit confused on the law. brass knuckles) are illegal under California law. Is it considered a illegal automatic knife if it is spring loaded when you open it without button pressure? The state of Illinois only banned the possession of throwing stars, switchblades, ballistic knives, and knives that open with a press of the button. The excerpts are truncated by me with [] whenever it goes off into something that is unrelated to knives. Ive heard there is an exemption for local 134 electricians. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Carrying that is more trouble than its worth. I live in Illinois and was wondering if I can keep a fixed blade knife in my truck? Ive open carried at high school football games as well as baseball games and basketball too. What makes brass knuckles illegal in so many states is the damage they can inflict. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As far as the actual legality, in your shoes I would ask a local para-legal for advice on this matter since it may be close to the border of legal/illegal. if your younger than 16 can you carry a lipstick knife for self defense (i love in illinois in a safe area but once it gets dark out or your alone it can get a little sketchy and things have happened in my neighbourhood before where i dont feel as safe as i would with out it but is it illegal for me to carry a lipstick knife or not? 16 for a folding knife under 16 and 18 for anything over. Chicago Suburban w/ LMF II, travel to and fro on Metra Id rather be alive and wrong, than dead and right. Two of them had no idea it is now legal to carry switchblades. 3 attorney answers. dont carry a Ka-Bar military knife into a night club). There are different tools and equipment that we typically require to use in various situations in our lives. Would love to hear feedback on this. Your wording has me confused sir,all autos are assisted by use of spring. As far as the railroad spike is concerned, thats a little trickier. Illinois is a tough state to summarize regarding knife laws since Chicago has its own set of rules to minimize urban violence. The knives you just place between your fist, basically a knuckle or fist knife. A ID from another state is not valid in cash-strapped Illinois. You never should say you have a knife for self defense. Anonymous Used on one or both hands, brass knuckles are illegal in most states. Purely for self defense. You can, however, own knives longer than that just stay off those properties. The majority of this article is outdated.The legislation has changed radically. 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. -Justin M. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. You can speak to James Dimeas personally by calling him at 847-807-7405. Over 3 inches? Is that considered ill intent (self defense)?. (9) Carries or possesses in a vehicle or on or about his person any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or firearm or ballistic knife, when he is hooded, robed or masked in such manner as to conceal his identity; (b) Sentence. Is there any way at all to accomplish that legally? Illinois Law places brass knuckles in the same category as a gun or a knife. I am bumping this, I would like to know as well. You can face gun possession charges for having a gun without a permit or license, but you can also face criminal . Illinois knife laws are a confusing mess but these are a general guideline you should follow. Also where I live ,I walk to a bar,so I dont drink and drive. In short, its not always a good idea to do something just because nobody told you not to. They make terrible self-defense items. It isnt a crime in and of itself. I play csgo and want to get a Karambit that looks like one of the knives in the game for show. It makes NO sense, unless every politician is stuck in a time warp watching West Side Story as their paradigm of behavior. You can carry any knife you want as long as you do not have the intent to harm someone. (can be obtained through link on ccl4illinois.com). Also if I can in Chicago whenever I go there. or what if I was a knife, is that legal? Views on this weapon differ from one state to the next. Would these be problematic in that sense to carry or does three inches (and under??? The governor sign a bill into law just recently in August 2017. Work, hunting, opening mail. Brass knuckles are considered a deadly weapon in Illinois, just like a knife or a gun. This applies in states where concealing brass knuckle weapons is illegal. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); We have partnered with BladeHQ to offer the best deals for our readers. This is old information. Public Act 100-0082 does not require a firearms concealed carry permit in order to possess and carry an automatic knife. 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?). That is NOT why you were originally carrying it (wink, wink). Would be worth looking into and updating your site. 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. 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. Not in Chicago. "I had no idea," said Phillips, 21, who spent that night in jail. You can find it under exemptions 720 ILCS 5-24-1 (e) 2, Update to reflect new switchblade van repeal please. 720 ILCS 5/33A-1 (2013) Legislative intent and definitions. Can you open carry a knife? (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. The Launch 4 is California legsl. 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. Illinois law states that you can carry any knife so long as it is legal and do not intend to harm or break the law! WHYCANT I HAVE THE SAME TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER. Good citizens pay the price, once again, for the criminal actions occurring in areas heavily populated by certain minorities. Name Wild Kat Keychain. Does factory stated length bear any weight in the determination of length regarding the legal definitions available to us? The client did not realize that driving 38 miles an hour over the posted speed limit in Illinois is a crime. Also, lots of coyote sightings in area. In illinois a blade up to 3 is legal to carry while in chicago the blade limit is 2.5. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, Begin typing to search, use arrow On top of that, having a ballistic knife on you when wearing a mask is class 4 felony. James Dimeas has been handling UUW and brass knuckle cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County, for over 27-years. I do not have intent to harm anybody, It would be for security. That is why it is important for police departments to have clear policies and procedures in place regarding the use . and they seem to have no answer. Its always a good idea to NOT look like a victim and help offer an incentive for bad people to stay away from you! Or is 3.0 legal? Injuries from brass knuckles can be severe, as the weapons are composed of hardened material. In addition, they are often associated with criminal activities such as gang fights or robberies. What about swords? To carry on any public-funded property knife lengths need to be 3 inches or less. Illinois knife laws are more bent towards determining someones motives in carrying a knife. If you are charged with possession of brass knuckles or arethe victim of a brass knuckle-related crime, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Publicado en . And so the longest possible blade length you can carry would be something along the lines of 2.9 inches or 2.9999999 inches long? https://hobanco.com/blogs/news/illinois-knife-laws. Why are brass knuckles illegal but not guns? If someone is injured or property is damaged while you are using brass knuckles, you could be held liable in a civil lawsuit and charged with a crime. Save carrying that for the zombie apocalypse. Of course, as with any tool, there is always the potential for misuse. Why did brass knuckles become illegal? Under Penal Code 21810 PC, it is illegal in California to make, import, sell, give, or possess metal knuckles, or brass knuckles ("BKs"). Thank yo.. what if a knife were to carry me? Nothing in this restriction involves intent. Just because there are companies selling brass knuckles in areas where they're illegal or a grey line, doesn't mean you aren't held responsible for buying them. Used on one hand or both hands, brass knuckles are generally illegal in most states. All I hear is that there is no limit to what size but then I hear only 3 inches is allowed. 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. I see that your article says auto knives are illegal in Illinois. Im thinking of buying a karambit is it illeagal? So there is no exception for handicapped people with say one hand or arm? I would say its fine to have a 4inch blade. you MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION from whoever is in charge of security for each and every property (by building if they have their own security) and also by each town, city, state agency, etc. Hoping switchblade & auto knives will be made legalafter FOID card act is repealed. yes, even if it was a battery charge the thing is WERE YOU CONVICTED & FOUND GUILTY, So if you carry a knife for self defense does that count as intent to harm? Some of those places are excluded under the written permission part, such as courthouses. -A valid drivers license or state identification card. I was wondering about a Machete. You can buy it as soon as you of age to have a credit card (13/14+) I believe but you cant necessarily carry it till youre 18 because you need a weapons/firearmlicence, I have a 4 1/2 inch knive I wear on my side on my belt. There is also language that you cannot have these items within 1000 feet of schools and their property, courthouses, and housing projects. Three charges for one crime! Other blades that are classified as legal, become illegal in certain circumstances. When it comes to the possession of brass knuckles, Illinois has very strict laws and rules that make the mere possession of brass, or metal knuckles, a crime. boot knife at a sporting goods store Bass Pro or Cabelas average price $25. If the knives never leave my home, is it illegal? I also do not have the intent to harm anyone. Only an actual lawyer or para-legal in the state of Illinois can confirm this. So an Illinois resident could own a Bowie knife as long as it was under 3 long? please and thankyou very much! And is that length legal? If you are outside your home state, be sure to check the applicable local and state regulations governing the use of brass knuckles.