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Illinois Local Knife-Law Preemption (2026)

Conditional: Illinois's firearm preemption doesn't cover knives, so home-rule cities regulate them — Chicago bars concealed carry of a knife with a blade over 2.5 inches (Muni.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Illinois's firearm preemption doesn't cover knives, so home-rule cities regulate them — Chicago bars concealed carry of a knife with a blade over 2.5 inches (Muni. Code 8-24-020).

Official source: codelibrary.amlegal.com →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Local Knife-Law Preemption in states bordering Illinois

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IndianaConditional
No statewide knife preemption — IC 35-47-11.1 preempts only firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories, so cities and counties may regulate knives.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: iga.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
IowaPermitted
Yes — Iowa Code 724.28 bars any city, county or township from regulating the carrying or transport of 'other weapons' (knives are dangerous weapons under 702.7) that are lawful under state law.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legis.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →
KentuckyPermitted
KRS 237.104 bars any unit of government from impairing the right to carry or use 'any deadly weapon,' which includes non-ordinary knives.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MissouriConditional
No statewide knife preemption; RSMo 21.750 preempts only firearms, components and ammunition, so localities may still regulate knives.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
WisconsinPermitted
Under Wis. Stat. 66.0409(2) (2015 Act 149) no city, village, town or county may regulate 'any knife' more stringently than a state statute — explicit statewide knife preemption.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · Full Wisconsin rule →

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