Jim Bowie is spinning in his grave!

That's true. Unfortunately, they don't give any definition of "bowie knife". Elsewhere in the statute, though, they do give blade length limits and prohibit double edged knives.

Andy
 
As I recall law says any fixed blade over 5 inches is out, which effectivley makes all real bowies illegal. Does it specifilally say bowie knife, because to a non knife person that coud mean any hunting knife.
For some reason TX also frowns upon open carry of a firearm.
 
tabeeb762 said:
As I recall law says any fixed blade over 5 inches is out, which effectivley makes all real bowies illegal. Does it specifilally say bowie knife, because to a non knife person that coud mean any hunting knife.
For some reason TX also frowns upon open carry of a firearm.
Click to expand...

I think the law says 5.5". Ownership is not illegal; public carry is. It does specifically say "bowie knife".

Andy
 
Relevant sections of Texas statutes:

Definitions:
"TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS

CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS

§ 46.01. DEFINITIONS.
(6) "Illegal knife[0]" means a:
(A) knife[0] with a blade over five and one-half
inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab
another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk,
stiletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife[0] ;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.
(7) "Knife[0]" means any bladed hand instrument that is
capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument."

Unlawful Carry:
" § 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal
knife[0], or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the
person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle
that is owned by the person or under the person's control..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
BTW, The "motor vehicle" part of section 46.02 (2) was recently added as part of Texas' "castle doctrine". Notice also that dirk, dagger, poniard, bowie knife, etc are not fully defined.

Texas Statutes Search at : http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html
 
From Keating's site:

"But, what is not commonly known is that the Texas Legislature made it a felony to kill someone with a Bowie Knife as far back as the 1850s. Here is a small portion of the argument of Attorney General Roberts in the Texas Supreme Court in Cockrum v. State, 24 Tex 394 (1859).


"The right to carry a bowie-knife for lawful defense is secured, and must be admitted. It is an exceeding destructive weapon. It is difficult to defend against it, by any degree of bravery, or any amount of skill. The gun or pistol may miss its aim, and when discharged, its dangerous character is lost, or diminished at least. The sword may be parried. With thse weapons men fight for the sake of the combat, to satisfy the laws of honor, not necessarily with the intention to kill, or with a certainty of killing, when the intention exists. The bowie-knife differs from these in its device and design; it is the instrument of almost certain death. He who carries such a weapon, for lawful defense, as he may, makes himself more dangerous to the rights of others, considering the frailties of human nature, than if he carried a less dangerous weapon."
 
Scary. A prosecutor could, under this current definition, make practically any bladed tool into an offensive weapon in the eyes of the law. The lack of definition is well noted flashlife and it is what is so disturbing.
 
(7) "Knife[0]" means any bladed hand instrument that is
capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument."

every knife in every kitchen fits the bill.
 
(7) "Knife[0]" means any bladed hand instrument that is
capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument."

every knife in every kitchen fits the bill.
Click to expand...
That's simply explaining the legal definition of "knife", not a restriction of carry.
A "Knife" is only illegal if it's listed as an "Illegal knife".
 
H2H907 said:
From Keating's site:

"But, what is not commonly known is that the Texas Legislature made it a felony to kill someone with a Bowie Knife as far back as the 1850s. Here is a small portion of the argument of Attorney General Roberts in the Texas Supreme Court in Cockrum v. State, 24 Tex 394 (1859).


"The right to carry a bowie-knife for lawful defense is secured, and must be admitted. It is an exceeding destructive weapon. It is difficult to defend against it, by any degree of bravery, or any amount of skill. The gun or pistol may miss its aim, and when discharged, its dangerous character is lost, or diminished at least. The sword may be parried. With thse weapons men fight for the sake of the combat, to satisfy the laws of honor, not necessarily with the intention to kill, or with a certainty of killing, when the intention exists. The bowie-knife differs from these in its device and design; it is the instrument of almost certain death. He who carries such a weapon, for lawful defense, as he may, makes himself more dangerous to the rights of others, considering the frailties of human nature, than if he carried a less dangerous weapon."
Click to expand...

Thank heavens N. Korea only has nuclear capability and not Bowie capability!
 
What about boxcutters?
You can't regulate criminals.

Citizens need to use the one weapon we have, the vote.
We need to elect some common sense lawmakers before it's too late.
 
good luck getting common sense people to run for office. those who desire to rule are those least suited for it.
 
Bob W said:
That's simply explaining the legal definition of "knife", not a restriction of carry.
A "Knife" is only illegal if it's listed as an "Illegal knife".
Click to expand...

Remeber too that there is a difference between "ownership" and "possession" when it comes to moving in public areas.

I can own bowies, and carry them, on my property. I would bet that there is even an exception to prosecution if one is hunting or engaging in outdoor activities (camping, backpacking). You just can't carry them on the street.

Andy
 
lookit, you can carry anything you want. just don't be carring it to commit a crime, because if you get caught that "illegal knife" just becomes another charge. Use commin sence. You dont need to be carring a bowie in a city for any reason.
 
Could it be that Jim Bowie, more than any other single person, is personally responsible for restrictive knife laws? On account of his reputation and fame for knife violence?
 
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