Question on Defensive knife laws

[wgoforth]

Somewhere I had read that in Texas you may not carry a knife that would be used for defensive purposes only.... that it had to have a utility use, though you might use it for defense if need be.... but not soley for defensive use. I can't find such a regulation under TXPC 46....any help?

[elpjt]

May be related to knifev carry in a public school. I remember seeing it some place like the SBOE site.

JT

[USA1]

I use my SOG strictly as a letter opener.

[paulhailes]

I use my SOG strictly as a letter opener.

Yah mine is strictly for cutting things that need cutting...

which SOG do you have?

[USA1]

I use my SOG strictly as a letter opener.

Yah mine is strictly for cutting things that need cutting...

which SOG do you have?

I have a couple. The Aegis (pictured below) is my favorite EDC but I also have the Sog Blink for times when I have to dress up and can't carry a full size knife. Both do a fine job of opening letters.

[paulhailes]

I use my SOG strictly as a letter opener.

Yah mine is strictly for cutting things that need cutting...

which SOG do you have?

I have a couple. The Aegis (pictured below) is my favorite EDC but I also have the Sog Blink for times when I have to dress up and can't carry a full size knife. Both do a fine job of opening letters.

I have that same one except with the tanto tip, I love the assisted open on it.

[RPB]

Never heard of such sa law of no defensive only knives allowed. Sounds like someone's own interpretation of an "illegal knife" but >>> Go by the Penal code.

When I worked at a college bookstore, my 5-1/4" blade knife was for opening boxes of books and peeling oranges.
One campus police officer's eyes bugged out when I flipped it open once and proceeded to open a carton of books, He asked if it was legal, I told him it was.

I saw a different college had a "policy" about no knives over 3" blades...

[denwego]

Yeah, I've never heard about any law regarding knives needing a utility use. New York comes to mind as one of those unpleasant states where it's illegal to carry things with the intent to use them as weapon, offensively or defensively, but Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law. I have a 5.25" knife I bought specifically to use for self-defense when I might go to a 51% bar with friends on Friday nights and the like... it's worse than a pistol but better than nothing while staying legal.

[tbrown]

Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law.

Be careful. San Antonio has a knife law that is stricter than state law. Some other cities may also.

[wgoforth]

Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law.

Be careful. San Antonio has a knife law that is stricter than state law. Some other cities may also.

How does that get around state preemption?

[C-dub]

Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law.

Be careful. San Antonio has a knife law that is stricter than state law. Some other cities may also.

How does that get around state preemption?

Is there preemption with regards to knives?

[Heartland Patriot]

Yeah, I've never heard about any law regarding knives needing a utility use. New York comes to mind as one of those unpleasant states where it's illegal to carry things with the intent to use them as weapon, offensively or defensively, but Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law. I have a 5.25" knife I bought specifically to use for self-defense when I might go to a 51% bar with friends on Friday nights and the like... it's worse than a pistol but better than nothing while staying legal.

What is the STATE definition of a bowie knife? How do I know if a particular knife I own is a "bowie" knife? Now, I grew up in this state and I know who Jim Bowie and his brother, Rezin Bowie, were...and I know what a "classic" bowie knife is...but once again, what are the defining characteristics as far as the state of Texas defines them? I'd hate to carry a knife that is less than the prohibited length and then get busted for it being a "bowie" knife.

[punkndisorderly]

Knife laws have always been weird to me. I can carry as many guns as I can conceal and as much ammo as I can carry, but not one of several types of knives.

And the.definitions are so vague that it's hard to tell what is illegal and what isn't.

[speedsix]

Yeah, I've never heard about any law regarding knives needing a utility use. New York comes to mind as one of those unpleasant states where it's illegal to carry things with the intent to use them as weapon, offensively or defensively, but Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law. I have a 5.25" knife I bought specifically to use for self-defense when I might go to a 51% bar with friends on Friday nights and the like... it's worse than a pistol but better than nothing while staying legal.

...it would be to your benefit to study the San Antonio city laws regarding knives..."...and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law." is not an accurate statement...

...Texas law doesn't have preemption regarding knives...only firearms...our knife laws need re-writing, badly...

[jmorris]

Texas only talks about blade length or characteristics. A knife which is less than 5.5" long and isn't a dagger, switchblade, bowie, or sword is legally no different from a sock or a pile of papers in terms of being legal to carry, and as a result there's basically no place in the entire state where such knives are prohibited by law.

Be careful. San Antonio has a knife law that is stricter than state law. Some other cities may also.

How does that get around state preemption?

Wouldn't need to. The state law is that you can't carry anything over 5.5". The SA law is that you can't carry anything under 5.5". See? Totally different.

Just find a knife that is exactly 5.5" long.