11 replies to this topic

[SIG516]

I live in northern Illinois, about an hour away from Chicago. I have the Fenix TA20 flashlight, which has a very defined striking bezel, a tactical ring, etc. I've been carrying it IWB, but because of the flashlight's shape it is very uncomfortable in that position, and a bit slow on the draw. I would like to start open carrying it. Would I possibly be stopped by a police officer for open carrying my light? Input by Illinois LEOs would be appreciated. Apologies if this is a stupid question.

[Vaden]

Its a flashlight, and if any officer poked his nose around my flashlight I would tell him exactly that. Its not like there are sharpened blades on it, those striker tips are most useful for breaking glass for emergency extractions of passengers inside of locked and burning vehicles. The tactical ring is to keep it from rolling around if you set it down for stationary light. Nothing in the marketing on that utilitarian tool is marketed as "offensive" or "defensive" and I would think that a judge that had to waste court time to hear a case where an officer took you in for a FLASHLIGHT, I cant imagine he would be very willing to do anything but throw the case out. Sure ANYTHING is possible but that's the last thing I would worry about.

[Jeff Johnson]

The charge: Aggravated Illumination.
Seriously? I wouldn't worry. I don't really see the utility of the cookie-cutter bezels but they are not assault weapons by any stretch.
I have heard of some folks getting some static from TSA when flying but others report no second glance. I have flown with a Surefire G2 (w malkoff m60L) and also with a E2L in carry-on and nobody said anything. also went into the state capitol at IGOLD with same and no problems.

[TyGuy]

I can't imagine any LEO giving you a hard time about a flashlight.  A knife maybe, depending the city and county you were in, but not a light.  That is, unless the light has a knife, pepper spray, baton, or other goodie in it.

[willxjcherokee]

This thread is making me order a nice flashlight with a strike bezel and over 250 lumens...

Heck if I cant carry a gun, blinding the guy might help.
Flash blindness is one heck of a thing.

Edited by willxjcherokee, 26 April 2012 - 09:45 AM.

[Yas]

Having a 5-6 cell maglite wedged in between the car seat has been popular for decades rather than a tire iron.  I've never heard of anyone being charged for possession of a flashlight in a car during a pull over unless you were interrupted beating someone with it.

I recall nothing about Illinois code restricting flashlights, you should be good to go.

[TyGuy]

I highly recommend the Gander Mountain GSX flashlights.  They are lightweight, compact, long lasting LED, and BRIGHT.

Last week they had them on sale 120 lumens 1 AA battery for $20, 220 lumens 2 CR123 batteries for $32, and 235 lumens 2 CR123 batteries for $50.  The 220 lumens has a high mode, low mode, and SOS flash mode in.  The 235 lumens has a high mode, low mode, SOS flash, and 3 different color choices.

They aren't any good as a baton, but as lights they are great.

[frankw438]

I've never heard of anyone having any trouble with the law over a flashlight. Most every law concerning impact weapons in Illinois includes "with intent to use unlawfully against another" or something along those lines. I've carried a SureFire E2DL on an airplane before without a problem.

Jeff Johnson, on 26 April 2012 - 07:17 AM, said:

The charge: Aggravated Illumination.
Seriously? I wouldn't worry. I don't really see the utility of the cookie-cutter bezels but they are not assault weapons by any stretch.
I have heard of some folks getting some static from TSA when flying but others report no second glance. I have flown with a Surefire G2 (w malkoff m60L) and also with a E2L in carry-on and nobody said anything. also went into the state capitol at IGOLD with same and no problems.

Nice choice, Jeff. I keep one of those (with Malkoffs) in each vehicle for emergencies. Tough little light, and the M60L runs for over 4 hours on a set of batteries!

-- Frank

Edited by frankw438, 26 April 2012 - 03:26 PM.

[kurt555gs]

I keep a Wicked Lasers Torch flashlight in the car. Its the size of a 2 D cell flashlight, but has an extremely powerful beam.  4100 lumens. Hold a news paper 6" away and it will burst into flames in under 2 seconds. Shine it in some ones face and they will be seeing nothing but spots for an hour or so. Handy in Illinois.It's way to expensive to hit someone with though.Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Edited by kurt555gs, 26 April 2012 - 04:06 PM.

[kurt555gs]

That is Four Thousand One Hundred lumens. Not a mistake. It will light up a football stadium.

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[Uncle Harley]

kurt555gs, on 27 April 2012 - 10:35 AM, said:

That is Four Thousand One Hundred lumens. Not a mistake. It will light up a football stadium.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

yeah, some pretty cool youtube videos out there of people starting fires, driving at night with only use of flashlight etc.

[Machine]

I just bought a Streamlight TLR-1. Can I carry it in an OWB holster attached to a blue gun?