Carrying a hunting knife..TX

[notupperwareplease]

I just looked up the Texas Penal Code and was surprised that, according to the Code, I can legally carry my 5" Kabar hunting knife. Section 46.01...You can't carry over 5.5", or a switchblade, or a bowie knife, etc... It says you can't carry a dagger...but by definition a Kabar hunting knife isn't a dagger...

Hmmm...

 

[kjeff50cal]

I just looked up the Texas Penal Code and was surprised that, according to the Code, I can legally carry my 5" Kabar hunting knife. Section 46.01...You can't carry over 5.5", or a switchblade, or a bowie knife, etc... It says you can't carry a dagger...but by definition a Kabar hunting knife isn't a dagger...

Hmmm...

IIRC elseware in that code states you can carry a 5 1/2"+ single edged blade knife if you are either hunting or fishing. My Marbles hunting knife (older than I) has a 5" blade but my favorite uncle used to come to the deer camp with an 18" long razor sharp Kukuri . I used (still do) the Marble for general skinning but the Kukuri had no peer in the heavy cutting/quartering work.

kjeff50cal

 

[JohnKSa]

Two things.

The last legislative section redefined how to measure the length of a knife. Can't recall the exact wording, but it measures the cutting edge instead of the blade, or something like that. That change isn't in the online version of the Penal Code yet.

Also, a "bowie knife" is an illegal knife. Know what a bowie knife is? Neither do I, and the law doesn't define it. It is definitely a fixed blade knife, but nearly any hunting knife could qualify, I guess...

There is an exemption for carrying an illegal knife on your own property and for carrying an illegal knife while engaging in hunting/fishing or any other sporting event where that is a commonly used implement. Exact wording can be found in the TX Penal code which is online.

 

[middy]

I think "bowie knife" means it has a sharpened swedge, essentially making it a double-edged blade.

I just hope the judge agrees with me.

 

[notupperwareplease]

Bowie Knife: "A stout single-edged hunting knife with part of the back edge curved concavely to a point and sharpened." (Webster's Eighth Collegiate)

Courts have held that this knife must be similar in design and shape to original Jim Bowie knife. Ordinary hunting knife not covered unless the blade length exceeds 5-1/2 inches.

Where only evidence was that weapon was "a regular knife that looked like a hunting knife" and no dimensions indicated held insufficient to support conviction. Torres v. State, 309 S.W. 2d 244.

# Dagger: A short weapon for stabbing (Webster's Eighth Collegiate) A knife which was sharpened on both edqes for slightly more than an inch from the point and on which the blade locked inplace when open was a "dagger" within the statute prohibiting carrying a dagger. Armendariz v. State, 396 S.W. 2d 132.

See http://www.utsystem.edu/pol/weapons.html

According to prior rulings...my Kabar hunting knife would not be in violation. It is sharpened only on one edge, and resembles a bowie knife in no way shape or form.

I was just wondering if anyone had personal experience carrying a hunting knife publicly (I carry mine concealed...I have one of those belts with the two D rings where you loop it through and back, wrap it around just below the waistline of my jeans...Put the knife above my wallet, slightly to the front, hilt sticking up a bit but covered w/ shirt/jacket). Especially if they got screwed over with it (aka convicted of carrying an illegal knife, had it confiscated, etc).

I like my knife. Didn't want it taken up by some ignorant cop...which is why I have 46.01 and 46.03 printed up and stuck in my wallet

 

[wdlsguy]

The last legislative section redefined how to measure the length of a knife. Can't recall the exact wording, but it measures the cutting edge instead of the blade, or something like that. That change isn't in the online version of the Penal Code yet.

I believe you are referring to HB 2343. It never made it out of the Texas House.

 

[JohnKSa]

Ooops. I let that one slip by me. Sorry for the misinformation, I thought it had passed.