Illinois legal to carry pepper spray and pocket knives...

whm1974 · May 10, 2020

I am considering getting and carrying some pepper spray along with a pocket knife for defensive backup in case the spray doesn't deter an attacker. Reading this site:
https://mdcreekmore.com/illinois-knife-laws-guide/
It seems that my State has loosen up some knife carrying laws recently, but some now legal to carry items really makes me feel uncomfortable to do so.

I mean daggers, dirks, and even Bowie knives? I just want a simple keychain pocket knife w/ blade no more then 3" max. Any reasonable person wouldn't consider to be a weapon.

Note this is due to this event yesterday:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...d-to-forced-himself-into-my-apartment.868343/

troy fairweather · May 10, 2020

Maybe a call to the sheriff's office would help.

whm1974 · May 10, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Maybe a call to the sheriff's office would help.

Well I was thinking local police as there is usually a friendly to me police official in the alley right outside my door at night watching the apartments I live in.

whm1974 · May 10, 2020

So what about this 3 in 1 spray? Way cheaper then the Kimber mere 2 shot gun type for ~$36.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CMZYQ...fb3cd93b8f9fa3696be2af4f1280c2&language=en_US

Aggressive large dog? Yeah I'm am concern about those in addiction to two legged attackers as well.

troy fairweather · May 10, 2020

Can't really comment on pepper spray, tho I'd get the strongest posible. Maybe even a bear spray, if only for in your apartment. It's a double edged sword tho, if it can hurt intruders it can hurt you.

whm1974 · May 10, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Can't really comment on pepper spray, tho I'd get the strongest posible. Maybe even a bear spray, if only for in your apartment. It's a double edged sword tho, if it can hurt intruders it can hurt you.

I live in a SRO apartment with combined bedroom/living room. Kitchenette and small bathroom. Door with hardly a porch facing an alley. It is basically point blank range if someone tries to force themselves in if answering the door... So yes pepper back spray is something I need to be concerned about...

troy fairweather · May 10, 2020

Do you have a peep hole or a door chain.

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Do you have a peep hole or a door chain.

Peep hole? Yes I do, but no door chain. That is something I am going to ask maintenance to install.

troy fairweather · May 11, 2020

whm1974 said:
Peep hole? Yes I do, but no door chain. That is something I am going to ask maintenance to install.

you can use a wedge under the door for now if you want.

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

troy fairweather said:
you can use a wedge under the door for now if you want.

I don't want to keep staff from enter my apartment if they need to and that very likely to be against the Rules anyway.

hso · May 11, 2020

whm1974 said:
Any reasonable person wouldn't consider to be a weapon.

That can be difficult to define for a lot of folks. City vs. Country will see a lot of differences in "reasonable".

3" is a little big for a keychain and a knife on a keychain is pretty difficult to deploy for defense. If you're not interested in carrying a small fixed blade, I'd recommend something that clips to the pocket that is readily at hand and easy to open than something on a keychain.

We have a sticky on chemical sprays at the top of the page that I recommend you consult on sprays. A good rule of thumb is to carry what local law enforcement carries if you don't want to read the entire thread. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pepper-spray-the-truth.768705/

hso · May 11, 2020

whm1974 said:
I don't want to keep staff from enter my apartment if they need to and that very likely to be against the Rules anyway.

Since a wedge would only be in place if you were present AND there should be no way staff should be just walking in without permission from you what's the problem with a wedge?

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

hso said:
Since a wedge would only be in place if you were present AND there should be no way staff should be just walking in without permission from you what's the problem with a wedge?

I have diabetes and hyper tension. Both well controlled by meds and diet right now. However shortly after I moved to these apartments, I gotten sick with something and didn't take my diabetes meds for two days and my blood sugar went to <350. My case manager showed up with meter and later told me that I looked drunk at the time open the door for her stark naked...

hso · May 11, 2020

My mother was diabetic so I remember what blood sugar imbalances will do and if you have blood sugar problems I wouldn't put a wedge in either. Ask management is a keyed deadbolt they can keep a copy of the key for emergencies can be put in.

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

hso said:
My mother was diabetic so I remember what blood sugar imbalances will do and if you have blood sugar problems I wouldn't put a wedge in either. Ask management is a keyed deadbolt they can keep a copy of the key for emergencies can be put in.

I have a deadbolt already. The staff warn to keep that locked at all times due to whoever will be going through the alley right outside my door.

ilbob · May 11, 2020

Many localities in Illinois have various laws against carrying various weapons but not always against having them, even if state law allows.

Have you considered a baseball bat?

I would want something I do not have to get real close to use.

Just remember if you end up having to act in self defense, have your lawyers number on speed dial. Depending on where you are at in illinois self defense can be frowned on. One might think chicago would be such a place but it does not appear like it is the case.

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

ilbob said:
Many localities in Illinois have various laws against carrying various weapons but not always against having them, even if state law allows.

Have you considered a baseball bat?

I would want something I do not have to get real close to use.

Just remember if you end up having to act in self defense, have your lawyers number on speed dial. Depending on where you are at in illinois self defense can be frowned on. One might think chicago would be such a place but it does not appear like it is the case.

I will assume that walking around carrying a baseball bat will get me stopped by the local police. The other problem is you need some room to swing the thing.

ilbob · May 11, 2020

whm1974 said:
I will assume that walking around carrying a baseball bat will get me stopped by the local police. The other problem is you need some room to swing the thing.

Probably not a great choice for wandering around with. Perhaps a cane. No one will bother a guy walking with a cane.

Best bet is avoidance.

whm1974 · May 11, 2020

What are guys opinion on this one?
https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-3-Pepper-Spray-Protection/dp/B0007VM8UC/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3OA8BKJ6A9HTU&dchild=1&keywords=pepper+spray&qid=1589254022&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=pepper,sporting,180&sr=1-8

I was mugged by three guys who jumped me and took my wallet. Might have been four.

tactikel · May 13, 2020

An Illinois resident I carry at least 2 and often 3 of: Saber Red pepper spray (see the excellent pepper spray header above), a blade of maximum legal length (2.5" in Chicago, 3-3.5"automatic where legal) a straight grain hickory cane, and a Shield 9 mm with a CCL.
When in my car in a high risk area I often transport all of the above.

rodinal220 · May 14, 2020

troy fairweather said:
Maybe a call to the sheriff's office would help.

Depends on which Sheriffs Office you call, most of them wont know. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, fahghettaboutit. CPD.....giggle.

Study the ILCS 720 5/24.1, many officers simply do not know the law, its just a fact of life. If you get jammed up you have to sort it out in court which is expensive and a PITA, but that's how it works right now.

There is a separate statute covering aggravating circumstances that refers to a 3" +blade length, basically do not commit a bonafide battery with a knife over 3" and it wont be an aggravating circumstance.

jmohme · May 14, 2020

I lived in Illinois for the first ⅓ of my life and always carried knives, including fixed blade hunting knifes on my belt.
I knew the state had really stupid gun laws, but never knew of any restrictions on knives other than switchblades.

I did move out of that awful state many years ago, so things may have changed.

whm1974 · May 14, 2020

jmohme said:
I lived in Illinois for the first ⅓ of my life and always carried knives, including fixed blade hunting knifes on my belt.
I knew the state had really stupid gun laws, but never knew of any restrictions on knives other than switchblades.

I did move out of that awful state many years ago, so things may have changed.

I might be mistaken, but my understanding is that these restrictions are mostly due to Chicago and the rest of Crook Country.

jmohme · May 14, 2020

whm1974 said:
I might be mistaken, but my understanding is that these restrictions are mostly due to Chicago and the rest of Crook Country.

That may very well be.
Crook county was a problem even back when I lived there.
I lived much further south and avoided the Chicago area whenever possible.

whm1974 · May 16, 2020

How reliable is pepper spray with deterring attackers from attacking me? I have zero experience in defending myself using a pocket knife. And in any case, I see the knife as a last resort kind of thing.

Illinois legal to carry pepper spray and pocket knives...

member

Member

member

member

Member

member

Member

member

Member

member

Moderator

Moderator

member

Moderator

member

Member

member

Member

member

Member

Member

Member

member

Member

member

Similar threads