The Legacy of Heller -- Knife Laws

[seamusTX]

If you think firearms law is complicated and treacherous, it's nothing compared to laws controlling knives. They vary from state to state and in cities. In many cases, possessing certain types of knives is a felony.

A traveler can easily run afoul of these laws.

Knives are arms. When the Constitution and Bill of Rights were ratified, swords and other types of bladed weapons were as common as firearms. They were an essential tool of the soldier in the days of muzzle-loaders.

Some day, these arbitrary, inconsistent, and useless laws will be challenged; and many will fall.

http://www.kniferights.org/

I owe this insight to Tom Gresham.

- Jim

[lunchbox]

there are other "arms" that are just out right illegal to carry IE club black jack brass knuckles
those need to come off the illegal list and limitations on knifes and guns need to be removed i should be able to have what i want not what some liberal thinks i should have

[galvestonredneck]

I carry a Pumma pocket knife. I use it a lot at work and would not be without it. I don't know what the local knife laws are in Galveston County (or Texas for that matter). I have allways thought that a LEO would see I am a working guy and let it go if I were ever stoped and for some reasn it was discovered.
I know in some places the knife lenth is mesured includeing the handle and in some places it is just the blade. It is a moot issue with me; I am not giving up my knife/tool. I have thousands of dollars worth of tools I use, I can't say any of them getts the use my pocket knife does.

Jim is right, the laws concerning knifes should be in for a review. But we all know the real story, a BG will use ANYTHING (hammer, 2x4, brick...) to get the job done. These laws are for honest people because the honest guy is the only one who will follow the law.


Galveston Redneck

[lunchbox]

im not a lawyer but as i read and understand in texas the knife law is 5 1/2 in blade and no butterflies or switchblades \
however i can go to any number of places and buy knives that are not legal

[seamusTX]

I don't know what the local knife laws are in Galveston County (or Texas for that matter). I have allways thought that a LEO would see I am a working guy and let it go if I were ever stoped and for some reasn it was discovered.

The City and County of Galveston have no special knife laws that I am aware of (I have looked, but IANAL).

The state law is in your CHL handbook, Chapter 46.01 of the penal code.

You highlight one of the aspects of these laws that I consider unjust. They are intended to be enforced at the discretion of police. Good old boys get a pass. Undesireables get arrested.

- Jim

[galvestonredneck]

You are right Jim! Good ole boys do get a pass. I know because I am sure in almost all cases; I would get a pass (depending on how you define "good ole boys").

I wear a crew cut hair style and if I am not in work uniform I am in overalls. My pants don't sag and I don't have any tatoo's. I am sure I don't get a second look by most LEO's.

I have a good friend that is a large black man. We go to the range together and stop off in sporting goods stores and eat at local restaurants. When he is with me I allways get the impression we are being "looked over" by others. My friend don't look like a hoodlum and in fact he has been a well respected member of this comunity all his life, but that don't keep people from seeing him as a possible threat. I have noticed this time and time again. It's not right but that is the way it is. We joke about it, but the fact is, I could go places without getting a second look; my friend on the other hand will allways be "supect" because of his color and his size. I really think people are shocked to see us together.

Galveston Redneck

[kd5zex]

I would love to wear a sword, especially to special occasions and such.