Moderators, as far as I can tell this topic is within the rules and placed in the proper forum. However, if I'm mistaken please feel free to close, delete, or move this thread as you feel necessary.
OK, I'm going to be traveling to Illinois to visit family in a couple of weeks. Obviously, I cannot legally carry a handgun in IL, at least not in any manner in which it would be useful, so I began to think about carrying a knive instead. I always carry a Kershaw Tanto Blur assisted opener which is, as far as I can tell, perfectly legal in IL. I would like, however, to carry my Cold Stell Counter-Tac II if legal to do so. The knife I'm referring to is a double-edged fixed blade with a blade slightly longer than 3".
Now, as far as I can tell, my Cold Steel would be considered a "dangerous weapon" according to IL law. However, as I read the law, carrying of a "dangerous weapon" is only illegal if I carry it with "intent to harm another in an unlawful way" which is a category that self-defense would not seem to fall under.
My question is, can anyone with more knowledge of IL knife law offer any guidance? I don't want to carry my Cold Steel if doing so is likely to get me arrested, even if the charges would not stick. In that case, it's just not worth the hassle to me and I'll just stick with my Kershaw.
OK, I'm going to be traveling to Illinois to visit family in a couple of weeks. Obviously, I cannot legally carry a handgun in IL, at least not in any manner in which it would be useful, so I began to think about carrying a knive instead. I always carry a Kershaw Tanto Blur assisted opener which is, as far as I can tell, perfectly legal in IL. I would like, however, to carry my Cold Stell Counter-Tac II if legal to do so. The knife I'm referring to is a double-edged fixed blade with a blade slightly longer than 3".
Now, as far as I can tell, my Cold Steel would be considered a "dangerous weapon" according to IL law. However, as I read the law, carrying of a "dangerous weapon" is only illegal if I carry it with "intent to harm another in an unlawful way" which is a category that self-defense would not seem to fall under.
My question is, can anyone with more knowledge of IL knife law offer any guidance? I don't want to carry my Cold Steel if doing so is likely to get me arrested, even if the charges would not stick. In that case, it's just not worth the hassle to me and I'll just stick with my Kershaw.