I've heard and read on Sigforum that assisted opening knives, or even locking blades are not legal in Tx.
Anyone know for sure what the deal is?
Since there is no definition of those terms in the law, one must turn to the standard dictionary term;Gonna poke my 2 cents in and hoping for clarification. First, there is a defense to prosecution that a switchblade may be dealt with as an antique or curio, but still cannot be carried.
That means nothing to it being illegal for YOU to possess a switchblade.Second, the San Antonio and Austin gun shows often have dealers selling fully automatic knives openly with banners advertising them.
Only those under 5 and 1/2 inches. Texas law prohibits ALL knives OVER 5 and 1/2 inches. I see a loophole.Third, many years ago, the city of San Antonio passed an ordinance banning the carrying of lock back knives unless used in the course of your occupation. I have never heard of this being enforced.
So is it your opinion that one cannot have (defined switchblade above) in one's own home legally? or am I defining 'possess' incorrectly?Switchblades are any knife that has a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force..
They are covered in 46.05 and are illegal to even posses.
That means nothing to it being illegal for YOU to possess a switchblade.
Darn, I wanted to carry around a sword and spear. . . .
Other than being over 5.5" long, what is a definition of a bowie knife?
So is it your opinion that one cannot have (defined switchblade above) in one's own home legally? or am I defining 'possess' incorrectly?
Switchblades are any knife that has a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that:
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force..
This is the part that's always concerned me. Taken at face value, it would suggest that any lock-blade knife that allows you to snap the grip and fling out the blade would be an illegal weapon. I've been told by an officer or two that this is not what the law is referring to, but is seems like it could be applied to just about any of the larger knives that are loose enough and the blade has enough mass to do this. Am I just being silly?
There is another clause that explains spring assisted knives, and says that they are excluded from the definition.
This is the part that's always concerned me. Taken at face value, it would suggest that any lock-blade knife that allows you to snap the grip and fling out the blade would be an illegal weapon. I've been told by an officer or two that this is not what the law is referring to, but is seems like it could be applied to just about any of the larger knives that are loose enough and the blade has enough mass to do this. Am I just being silly?
It is my belief the law was intended for "butterfly" type knives, but I agree that taken at face value any knife you could "flick" open would be illegal.
It is my belief the law was intended for "butterfly" type knives, but I agree that taken at face value any knife you could "flick" open would be illegal.
I really don't understand why these knives are illegal. It is legal to have a gun with a CHL.
Darn, I wanted to carry around a sword and spear. . . .
Other than being over 5.5" long, what is a definition of a bowie knife?
Actually it is even sillier than that. I don't need a CHL to "have" a firearm. But I cannot possess a butterfly knife.
Strange laws.................
I thought you could own a butterfly knife just not carry it, I thought the same thing about a switch blade knife. I guess I'm wrong? I'm not arguing anything just wondering. And I think the same way about the knife laws.Actually it is even sillier than that. I don't need a CHL to "have" a firearm. But I cannot possess a butterfly knife.
Strange laws.................