Bowie Knives, Texas Law, and Exceptions

Joined
Jun 11, 1999
Messages
47
Hello Everyone,

Sometimes back I was speaking with Bill Bagwell who lives here in Texas like I do. Although the law says a person in Texas can carry a single edged knife with a blade of up to 5 1/2 inches, I swear Bill told me about an exception to the law that would allow you to carry a large knife like the Bowies he makes. It had something to do with carrying a specific amount of money. About $500 if memory serves. After looking around in our state penal code I can't find such an exception beyond the usual "traveling" and being "involved in an activity (e.g., hunting, hiking) in which such a knife would be used." As Bagwell is well versed in the history and laws of the Bowie knife I feel he must be right or my memory is not working so well.

I could be mistaken, but I really don't think so.

Is there anyone who can shed some light on this for me?

Thanks for the help.

- Anthony
 
The Texas penal code makes no such exception for carrying of Bowies, although it does allow for carrying them for activities such as historical reenactments. There is such a thing as "case law," and it is possible that a judge may have dismissed a weapons charge based on the defendant carrying large amounts of money. In my opinion, being a peace officer, it is best to follow the penal code, unless you have personal knowledge that the local D.A. will allow a certain exception. And then, that exception will only apply to that D.A.'s county of jurisdiction. I believe, but am not sure, that the state of Louisiana allows carry of large knives such as Bowies. Bill Bagwell did live in Louisiana for quite a while during his knifemaking career. BTW, in some isolated parts of Texas, the tradition of carrying weapons tends to override the letter of the law, and enforcement of weapons laws tends to be selective, FWIW.
 
I'm not from Texas, but you cannot carry a knife that has been deemed an "illegal knife" which are Switchblades, Knives over 5 1/2", Bowies or "Arkansas Toothpicks", Daggers, and now possibly Spring Assist knives if there deemed switchblades.

I got all of that from here

I find that kind of odd because you can carry a Gun with out permit as long as you haven't been convicted of a felony, drunk or if your carrying it for a Criminal Purpose. But if your carrying around a AK-47 on Main Street your going to be stopped by a Police officer.

But I hate the weapon laws here, so don't get me started :footinmou
 
What's really funny about Texas law is that I carry my 1911 everywhere I go, legally, but I'd be in trouble if I was toting a billy club. Oh well...
 
The next time you communicate with your elected representative, whisper into his ear that you would like the Texas CCL law to be expanded to include clubs and prohibited knives. Florida and Kentucky, which have reciprocity agreements with Texas, do allow concealed carry of certain weapons other than handguns. When I retire my badge, I would like to continue to carry certain knives that have become part of my daily life, and my ASP baton. As for larger clubs, a good stout cane or walking stick is legal everywhere. Welcome to the forum, THR-Thumper! We are practically neighbors.
 
Rex, Your gonna have to watch out. Apparently it is dependent on the Officer to determine whether something is a 'club'.
I was pulled over by Texas DPS on a 2 lane just south of Canyon Lake cuz I was 'hurryin a bit'. I had a polished 4 foot cedar walking stick on the back floorboard that he kept calling a 'club'. Kept coming back with that looks like a club. Clubs are illegal. I was on my way to hiking with a buddy, my loaded backpack was under the stick, I was wearing jeans and hiking boots and obviously 'travelling to or from an activity...." I also pointed out that the stick had 1 smooth grip end and 1 rough and muddy business end as any respectable walking stick would. I didn't press the issue due to his NOT having picked up my jean jacket which was laying over an 11" bowie I had made and was going to show off. I was very polite and redirected him by asking directions, took my ticket and thanked him for it.
Now I ask: How come my stick is a club, but a man who walks through my neighborhood every morning can carry a golf CLUB, as a weapon for 'self defense', would freely admit that purpose, as he is not on his way to go golfing, can avoid police notice and arrest? This guy intends bodily harm! I see this commonly and I am sure everyone here has seen this. It's a CLUB!
OK. Rant over now.
 
Longer staffs are not universally accepted as legal. Walking sticks and canes of a length that extends to the ground from the hand in a normal walking position, as used by people with infirmities for support, should be the most universally accepted "stick" in existence. Crook-top canes will be more accepted than "straight" walking sticks, and a walking stick with a weighted end will probably be illegal in quite a few places. I have met only one disabled person who used a longer staff for support; he lives in my patrol district, and to my knowledge has never been denied entry anywhere, and has never been hassled by police.
 
I doubt there'd be any Texas case laws about carrying larger knives for "defense" while carrying large amounts of money, but there are similar ones for firearms, i.e. store owners ferrying money to be deposited while carrying a unlicensed (or pre-CCW) pistol. I wouldn't be surprised if every liquor store owner in Texas has a pistol on the job, CCW or not! (Altho that might fall under the bounds of "business owner's privaledge".)

Matt in Texas
 
It was a 4' straight tapering 2" diameter cedar stick. No weights, no hidden swords, no butt-caps. Hiking in Texas tends to require such a tool. Nuff said as this is not a blade discussion. I'll ask if I ever find the Walking Stick Discussion Forum..... :D
As for Bowie exceptions, anything I choose to carry should be acceptable. :eek:
 
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