swampsquatch

I am fairly well versed in Texas' many knife laws (size limits, illegal knives, etc.) But I am unclear on the laws regarding the restrictions on keeping a bladed weapon inside your vehicle. I carry an antique bowie knife in my car (it's a real beauty) with an approximately 8.5 inch blade. My brother informed me that this may be just as illegal as carrying my bowie around town as a concealed weapon.
I would greatly appreciate helpful input, as well as a link or two. Thanks!

savagehere

and as crazy as this sounds, Bowie knives in particular are singled out under Texas law as being specifically illegal.

I'm unclear as to whether this means to carry, possess or what.

Interested to know if others know the straight scoop on this.

CJ810

Given the Bowie's place in Texas history it's a shame. Do you suppose they're at least legal in Bowie, TX?

Rexster

It was previously illegal to have "illegal" knives on or about one's person, away from one's home/property/workplace, but it now appears that illegal knives are legal to have within one's vehicle. Read your Penal Code, and interpret it for yourself. A switchblade is not a mere illegal knife, so don't consider switchblades for vehicular carry.

As for the lamentations about Bowies, keep in mind that one or two things about Bowies would make them illegal, anyway: size, and more than one sharpened edge. Real Bowies are big, chopping-sized blades, and at least some folks feel a true Bowie must have a sharpened "clip" area. As Rezin and James Bowie made the knife's reputation with big single-edged knives, I don't think a clip point is what makes a knife a Bowie.

Edited to add: I wear a Texas peace officer badge, but do not give legal advice, which is why I so often say to read the Penal Code, and interpret it for yourself. What I would do if I found someone with a knife that is outside the letter of the law is not what another peace officer may do, anyway. (I have only made knife arrests when I had a "turd" in custody, who needed the book thrown at him, period.) Big knives tend to scare the bejesus out of people, including police; I have co-corkers who have just about jumped out of their skins when I have pulled out a 3-inch stout-blade folder. I have been sternly warned by some co-workers that my Strider AR and Al Mar SERE are illegal, when in fact they are perfectly legal for private citizens, and Texas peace officers can carry ANY knife, anyway, regardless of blade length or number of sharpened edges. (Yes, that is in the Penal Code, too.)

Harley 55

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There's no such thing as a concealed weapon in Texas. "On or about the person" is the way the law is written. The knife is illegal unless you are going/returning from buying or selling one/hunting/camping/fishing/trading at a knife or gun show/or loaning or picking it up from loaning it to a friend.
Keep it locked in the trunk and you should be OK.

Rexster

Outdated. Don't take my word for it; look it up. I say this with all due respect, of course.
And, not all Texas peace officers may have gotten the information on the updates, so take that under advisement.