In the near future I'm going to the Texas State Capitol building, and I'm curious about any rules/experiences anyone has had at the Texas Capitol Building. In reading the Texas penal code I can't find anything prohibiting carrying a legal knife in the Capitol building, and the website for the capitol building doesn't say anything on the subject. Any info is greatly appreciated.
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Texas State Capitol Building Rules
- Thread starter USSHelm
- Start date
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- Feb 17, 2013
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- 6,166
For your question: To MY knowledge, there are no special rules, just State law. Disclaimer: While I know a few lawyers and I occasionally stay at a HoJo, I am NOT a lawyer and my opinions are just that - opinions, with no legal basis in the law at all. 
The only problem I have heard of in recent years was this past legislative session where a CHL holder entered with an ILLEGAL knife (6.25 inches, state max is 5.5 inches).
See this BF thread -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-Jail-Charges-Test-Case?highlight=texas+jail
Which has a link in it to another forum where there is much greater detail on the matter.
He was carrying it based on his interpretation of the CHL statutes that state that the section of the law (46.15 (b) 1-8) that says that (paraphrased) "If you have a CHL and you are carrying the weapon you are authorized to carry, the illegal part (46.02) doesn't apply."
The DPS choose not to agree with his interpretation of the law and arrested him. He got to spend the night in jail, hire an attorney to fight the charge and......
The local DA chose not to prosecute.
Probably because he did not want to set a precedent for others to use as a defense because by very strict reading of JUST the 2 sections of State law, the citizen's interpretation is correct and the LEOs' interpretation was wrong.
So, more than likely, if whatever you are carrying is legal, then there should be no problem.
Unless you get there and see some sign posted prohibiting knives. Then discretion should apply.
The only problem I have heard of in recent years was this past legislative session where a CHL holder entered with an ILLEGAL knife (6.25 inches, state max is 5.5 inches).
See this BF thread -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-Jail-Charges-Test-Case?highlight=texas+jail
Which has a link in it to another forum where there is much greater detail on the matter.
He was carrying it based on his interpretation of the CHL statutes that state that the section of the law (46.15 (b) 1-8) that says that (paraphrased) "If you have a CHL and you are carrying the weapon you are authorized to carry, the illegal part (46.02) doesn't apply."
The DPS choose not to agree with his interpretation of the law and arrested him. He got to spend the night in jail, hire an attorney to fight the charge and......
The local DA chose not to prosecute.
Probably because he did not want to set a precedent for others to use as a defense because by very strict reading of JUST the 2 sections of State law, the citizen's interpretation is correct and the LEOs' interpretation was wrong.
So, more than likely, if whatever you are carrying is legal, then there should be no problem.
Unless you get there and see some sign posted prohibiting knives. Then discretion should apply.
For your question: To MY knowledge, there are no special rules, just State law. Disclaimer: While I know a few lawyers and I occasionally stay at a HoJo, I am NOT a lawyer and my opinions are just that - opinions, with no legal basis in the law at all.
The only problem I have heard of in recent years was this past legislative session where a CHL holder entered with an ILLEGAL knife (6.25 inches, state max is 5.5 inches).
See this BF thread -
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-Jail-Charges-Test-Case?highlight=texas+jail
Which has a link in it to another forum where there is much greater detail on the matter.
He was carrying it based on his interpretation of the CHL statutes that state that the section of the law (46.15 (b) 1-8) that says that (paraphrased) "If you have a CHL and you are carrying the weapon you are authorized to carry, the illegal part (46.02) doesn't apply."
The DPS choose not to agree with his interpretation of the law and arrested him. He got to spend the night in jail, hire an attorney to fight the charge and......
The local DA chose not to prosecute.
Probably because he did not want to set a precedent for others to use as a defense because by very strict reading of JUST the 2 sections of State law, the citizen's interpretation is correct and the LEOs' interpretation was wrong.
So, more than likely, if whatever you are carrying is legal, then there should be no problem.
Unless you get there and see some sign posted prohibiting knives. Then discretion should apply.
Well yes, he was carrying an illegal knife. The fact that CHL owners are stupid enough to think that it in any way excludes them from other portions of the law is absolutely disturbing. Quite plainly, the exception to 46.02 is specific to handguns. It does not mean that carrying a gun allows you to carry an illegal knife. Tough nugs.
To the OP: If it's meets state law you're fine.