Are switchblades legal in Texas

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Lots of conflicting information on the web. Just want to be sure before I buy one.

 

[jdh]

From the Texas Legislature Online web site:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB1862

Click on the Text tab to read it for yourself.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Heh, Um...

 

[hso]

Knife Rights was able to get switchblades legalised in 2013.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

Did Gov Perry sign the bill into law?

 

[hso]

Yep, June last year.

Keep in mind that KR didn't get preemption through so while state law legalise switchblades you may still find prohibitions in local ordinances. Support KR's effort on preemption this year and those might no longer be relevant.

 

[Storm]

Exactly. Preemption is key. We got it here in Georgia as part of the package.

 

[Citadel99]

So...are they legal in Austin? Or is there a list somewhere that states where they are NOT legal?

Mark

 

[Deltaboy1984]

IMO I would not carry one San Antonio.

 

[hso]

Knife Rights was NOT able to get preemption through TX and each jurisdiction below the state level still has the authority to make a crazy quilt of rules.

 

[HankB]

Switchblades were removed from the state's "prohibited weapons" list in section 46.05 of the Texas penal code effective September 1, 2013, thanks to Rick Perry's signature on HB1862. Note that this legislation did not remove carry limitations on blade length or the carrying of Bowie knives, dirks, or daggers.

IANAL, but it's my layman's understanding that double-edged knives may be considered dirks or daggers by a court, so perhaps carrying double edged OTF - Out The Front - switchblades would be unwise.

The only local laws I'm aware of that may be problematic are in San Antonio - if anyone knows of others, I'd like to hear about them.

After the law became effective I got myself a couple of "conventional" layout utility-type folding automatic knives, and so far, I like them.