Switch blade knives are now legal in Illinois, well sort of. With this being Illinois there are some hoops one must jump through to own a switch blade. Registered gun owners (FOID) are now legal to own switch blade knives which was passed into law August 11th 2017.
Senate Bill 607, uniquely titled “CRIM CD-SWITCHBLADES“, has become Public Act 100-0082. This bill passed both houses and was sent to the governor on June 16th and was approved by Governor Bruce Rauner on August 11th 2017.
The synopsis of the act…
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. 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 Owner’s 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.
After examination of the text, we see the addition of the following text…
(2) The provision of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of
Public Act 100-0082 http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=607&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=100589&fref=gc
this Section prohibiting the sale, manufacture, purchase,
possession, or carrying of any knife, commonly referred to
as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
or other device in the handle of the knife, does not apply
to a person who possesses a currently valid Firearm Owner’s
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.
Please note that though Public Act 100-0082 is listed on the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) website, the Unlawful Use of Weapons statute, also on the ILGA website has not yet been updated (August 14th, 2017 12:40 PM). Nothing in the law preempts local ordinance. Links are provided below for your review. Nothing on this page is legal advice, please consult your attorney with specific questions.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=100-0082&fref=gc
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K24-1