Scottish Dirk in Texas

[CJ810]

My wife was asking today if it's legal to carry her (beautiful) antique scottish dirk in Texas.

I saw some posts from 2007 that said Dirks are illegal to carry here. Has there been any change in that?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Exodus]

'Fraid not. Dirks & Daggers are a no-go. Basically, anything that is double edged.

[TX-JB]

A Dirk is considered an illegal knife.

PENAL CODE
TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS
CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS
Sec.46.01.DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1)"Club" means an instrument that is specially
designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious
bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument, and
includes but is not limited to the following:
(A)blackjack;
(B)nightstick;
(C)mace;
(D)tomahawk.
(2)"Explosive weapon" means any explosive or
incendiary bomb, grenade, rocket, or mine, that is designed, made,
or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury,
death, or substantial property damage, or for the principal purpose
of causing such a loud report as to cause undue public alarm or
terror, and includes a device designed, made, or adapted for
delivery or shooting an explosive weapon.
(3)"Firearm" means any device designed, made, or
adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy
generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device
readily convertible to that use. Firearm does not include a firearm
that may have, as an integral part, a folding knife blade or other
characteristics of weapons made illegal by this chapter and that
is:
(A)an antique or curio firearm manufactured
before 1899; or
(B)a replica of an antique or curio firearm
manufactured before 1899, but only if the replica does not use rim
fire or center fire ammunition.
(4)"Firearm silencer" means any device designed,
made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm.
(5)"Handgun" means any firearm that is designed,
made, or adapted to be fired with one hand.

(6)"Illegal knife" means a:
(A)knife 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;
(E)sword; or
(F)spear.

[CJ810]

A Dirk is considered an illegal knife.

Thanks. Appreciate it. I am discovering that laws regarding what tools one can use in Texas for self defense are somewhat schizophrenic.

I wonder if we could get an "if you can obtain it, and carry it, knock yourself out" law passed. ;-)

[TX-JB]

I wonder if we could get an "if you can obtain it, and carry it, knock yourself out" law passed. ;-)

That would make too much sense...

[wmhawth]

My wife was asking today if it's legal to carry her (beautiful) antique scottish dirk in Texas.

I saw some posts from 2007 that said Dirks are illegal to carry here. Has there been any change in that?

I doubt it's legal to carry but I do think you should post some pictures of that antique Scottish dirk.

[AutoFan]

Does anyone else find it odd that a Bowie knife is illegal to carry in Texas?

[wmhawth]

Does anyone else find it odd that a Bowie knife is illegal to carry in Texas?

If that's true I'd say it's quite ironic.

[jahwarrior72]

My wife was asking today if it's legal to carry her (beautiful) antique scottish dirk in Texas.

I saw some posts from 2007 that said Dirks are illegal to carry here. Has there been any change in that?

well, she can't carry it, but you can still post some pics.

[TX-JB]

Does anyone else find it odd that a Bowie knife is illegal to carry in Texas?

Yep, Texas has some strange knife laws.

[CJ810]

I doubt it's legal to carry but I do think you should post some pictures of that antique Scottish dirk.

Well it's the wife's so I'll have to check with her.

I did learn this weekend that I was incorrect about it being an antique. Her dad got it for her and it's not an antique. Still a beautiful knife and scabbard.

[puffer]

I can not speak concerning TX.
But in WA St they, as well as "Basket hilt Swords" are "illegal" to carry.

But, I have often carried BOTH & never had a problem.

Not counting BP/ML re- enacting = Weddings, "Burns Dinners", Formal Events & even into restaurants & stores during events.

I also quite often carry one of my "Dirks" when I am " formally" attired ( Plays, Dinners, the Opera etc.)

Never have had a problem. Below are a couple of" Dress Dirks"

Puffer

[TX-JB]

Well in Texas they are "illegal knives" and carrying them is a Class A misdemeanor. When carried where alcohol is sold, it's a 3rd degree felony. They may be allowed some place like the "Renaissance Festival", if you are a participant in some of the events, but I wouldn't want to risk a felony conviction on it.

[Majorlk]

Well in Texas they are "illegal knives" and carrying them is a Class A misdemeanor. When carried where alcohol is sold, it's a 3rd degree felony. They may be allowed some place like the "Renaissance Festival", if you are a participant in some of the events, but I wouldn't want to risk a felony conviction on it.

Does this apply to "decorative" dirks; those with a blunt point and non-sharpened edge?

[TX-JB]

Does this apply to "decorative" dirks; those with a blunt point and non-sharpened edge?

Good question, the penal code makes no exceptions for "decorative knives/dirks". I guess it would also depend on the dirk itself. I've seen some decorative ones with a steel ball on the end to make stabbing impossible. That would make the "decorative dirk" argument more believable. I guess it would be the discretion of the LEO and DA on duty at the time you are stopped.

If I were the LEO, I would probably let it go, especially if you were dressed in "period clothing" and it was an obviously part of your attire. But that's me....