i would leave it home. if your employer finds out, you will be looking for a new job. if the police find out, you will be in jail for years. i guess the up side to that is you would not need to worry about a job for a while. use your gut instincts. if you do not feel comfortable in the surroundings, get the heck out of there a.s.a.p
Overnight trip to Chicago
- Thread starter Lex Luthier
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CajunBass
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You're not asking this seriously are you?
mdauben
Member
Unless you can stick your pig with a folding knife, 2.5 inches or less, you're still breaking the law in Chicago.
mg.mikael
Member
As somebody who actually lives in Illinois, unlike most of the folks responding, and lives in a suburb five minutes from the city, oh and goes into the city on a daily basis......I'd say don't worry about the gun and have to agree with the person I quoted. Your staying downtown right, most likely you are so you have little to worry about as most of the crime happens in the surrounding sprawl of the city(particularly the south side) so unless your doing business there I'd say just relax and enjoy seeing the sights.
The REAL danger is the parking in the loop, heck pricing there will cost you an arm and a leg.
Elkins45
Member
I travel a lot into DC for my job. DC is one of the few places in the nation that rivals Chicago for its anti-2A laws. DC law allows a 3" folding knife, so I check a bag with a knife when flying into DC unless I know I'm going directly to a cab to my hotel and not leaving until I get in a cab back to the airport.
If it bothers you that much then just stay in your hotel the whole time. The random violence almost always happens on the street, schools or workplace. People usually don't shoot up or rob folks in convention or business hotels.
If it bothers you that much then just stay in your hotel the whole time. The random violence almost always happens on the street, schools or workplace. People usually don't shoot up or rob folks in convention or business hotels.
I was wondering when someone local was going to reply. I'm in downtown Chicago all the time at night. One of the times I was there, I carried a diamond engagement ring down Michigan Avenue and proposed to my now-current fiance. I didn't think twice about bringing a gun with, because it is: 1) ILLEGAL! and 2) I wasn't in a high crime area. I always carry a pocket knife, because I just always do.
As stated above, Chicago is no different than any other major city. It has it's bad areas and it's good areas. You should have no problem in any of the tourist-y areas of downtown. Chill out, have fun, and don't break the law. Hell, even if you want to meet for a beer, hit me up.
I used to live in the suburbs and worked in downtown Chicago. Carrying guns is a big no-no in the city (and state) as far as the law is concerned. I believe pepper spray and a small folding knife are both legal, and batons are not, but you should check the Chicago laws on that. Stay at a good hotel, go to the touristy things when tourists normally go there, eat at some great restaurants and enjoy yourself. The traffic is more of a hazard than crime if you don't go the the bad parts of town. If in doubt, ask at the hotel before you go to a part of town you are not familiar with.
narcoden
Member
I live in Cook County and wouldn't dare try this, but at your own risk:
http://www.concealcarry.org/owners-say-law-lets-them-tote-guns-in-fanny-packs/
http://www.concealcarry.org/owners-say-law-lets-them-tote-guns-in-fanny-packs/
When we were there for my sons grad. Navy bootcamp, three days I carried a switchblade, cops never looked at me............
hey_poolboy
Member
I've always carried just a knife in the windy city. Never had any problems, nor have any of my friends who attended school by Cabrini Green.
Make sure you get some pizza at Lou Malnati's.
Make sure you get some pizza at Lou Malnati's.
shuvelrider
Member
I,m mandated to carry around my weapon everywhere here in Afghanistan, no problem. You are not mandated to carry your weapon for a quick trip to ChiTown, your boss did not say so, the state law is not allowing you to. So unless you have a Walter Mitty complex hoping to "save the day", leave the thing at home. Just seems like there is a CPL mentality where some can't live without carrying, kinda like a child needing their pacifier when they can go without it.
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gixxergreg
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I would buy a good kydex type material knife. If the museums happen to have metal detectors, you'll get right in. I have a couple and they are sharp and strong.
Deanimator
Member
You mean like north Michigan Ave., the beaches and the Loop?
Most of my relatives who live in Chicago live on the south side, east of State Street. Are you saying I don't "belong there"?
There is NO "safe" place in Chicago apart from inside of Rahm Emmanuel's security cordon.
Deanimator
Member
... that are too expensive to enjoy because the parking is likely more expensive than the meal.
There are a lot of neat sights in Pyongyang too. I won't be going there any time soon either.
Deanimator
Member
When you NEED a firearm, indeed you just might NOT be able to "live without carrying".
Any place that thinks it's better for me to be maimed or murdered than to protect myself, is a place I don't need to be.
shuvelrider
Member
It comes down to weighing out your option's then, the OP is a big boy and can decide for himself. If that afraid of "infinite scenarios of mayhem", then don't go. OR take the chance and pack the "heater" and no one notices, but if something happens from the "infinite scenarios of mayhem". Now he has to deal with all the legal ramification's of the law, a simple trip to the city has now turned into a legal nightmare. Can he, or is he willing to deal with that?
Not that it matters, but I grew up in Illinois (LaSalle-Peru). Very aware of Chicago's attitude, been up there numerous times also. Enjoy the museum's and other sights.
Not that it matters, but I grew up in Illinois (LaSalle-Peru). Very aware of Chicago's attitude, been up there numerous times also. Enjoy the museum's and other sights.
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ol' scratch
Member
I also work in Chicago on occation, actually in Englewood, or the south side which is FAR WORSE than Chicago proper. I work in the railyards, which historically are located in the worst parts of town. I would like to carry but don't have permission from my employer or from the authorities. It sucks, but don't break the law. I do carry some devices that could be used in a pinch as improvised weapons (fusee, air gauge, funny chuck of smooth aluminum I found, reverser). If I can make it in ENGLEWOOD (not saying I live there) for short stints, you sure can make it in Chicago.
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Onward Allusion
Member
I lived in that city until my early 20's. I haven't been in that city in about 3+ years. When I go to one of its suburbs I make sure I go around it. Because of the position that I'm in at the company I work, I'm offered tickets to quite a few events in Chicago. I haven't accepted a single one in recent years. The last set of tickets that I'd turned down was for Cubs opening day. I absolutely despise that city and its completely corrupt local government(s). The voters in Chicago and Cook County need to vote the majority of their politicians out to the curb.
Going back to the OP and the other guy who will be visiting the city. DO NOT carry your gun in Chicago under any circumstances. Not even your hotel room because of that State's idiotic Home Rule Law. Forget the baton. It isn't legal there. You might be able to get away with a small knife. I highly recommend having a decent sized canister of OC in a belt holster. As someone else mentioned, a good solid walking stick is a good choice. Use your brains and stick to the well traveled busy areas, and even then you're rolling the dice. At least in the touristy areas, there are slews of LEO's in plainclothes.
As for those who state that it isn't such a bad place....my so-and-so lives, works...visits there.... I can state with fair certainty that your so-and-so will be a victim of crime in that city at some point. I've had my apartment burglarized twice, cars broken into so many times that I can't remember, and have been threaten a number of times to the point where weapons were pulled/drawn. No, I was not a gangbanger or anything remotely close.
Going back to the OP and the other guy who will be visiting the city. DO NOT carry your gun in Chicago under any circumstances. Not even your hotel room because of that State's idiotic Home Rule Law. Forget the baton. It isn't legal there. You might be able to get away with a small knife. I highly recommend having a decent sized canister of OC in a belt holster. As someone else mentioned, a good solid walking stick is a good choice. Use your brains and stick to the well traveled busy areas, and even then you're rolling the dice. At least in the touristy areas, there are slews of LEO's in plainclothes.
As for those who state that it isn't such a bad place....my so-and-so lives, works...visits there.... I can state with fair certainty that your so-and-so will be a victim of crime in that city at some point. I've had my apartment burglarized twice, cars broken into so many times that I can't remember, and have been threaten a number of times to the point where weapons were pulled/drawn. No, I was not a gangbanger or anything remotely close.
Onward Allusion
Member
And I went to Orr HS one summer and lived. Didn't even get hassled or anything. I once had to pull a gun on a gang (4 guys) trying to herd my GF and her friend into an alley. In the Lincoln Park / Gold Coast area. It's a roll of the freaking dice. As for Lou Malnati - they got their restaurants in the burbs.
langenc
Member
To the original question--
DONT
The place is corrupt and they are kept in office by the largest Polish gathering in the country-Democrat thru and thru. They figure it is better than the Communists they fled from. I guess.
DONT
The place is corrupt and they are kept in office by the largest Polish gathering in the country-Democrat thru and thru. They figure it is better than the Communists they fled from. I guess.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Bottom line: Obey the law. Be judicious about where you go, and when--and, apparently, take a cab as a general measure of safety.
razorback2003
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Stay in a suburb and leave your gun in the hotel and ride the train into Chicago proper. Or take a cab. Just have your gun unloaded and in the trunk when you drive in Illinois.
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