Why are switchblades illegal in Texas?

Question

Why are switchblades illegal in Texas?

Answer 1

My husband used to be a knife dealer in his spare time many years ago.  Switchblades are not illegal to own in Texas if you are a collector of knives/swords/antique weaponry.  We own a few, as well as other "illegal" blades such as swords, daggers, flip knives, etc.  You can legally have them in your own home and sometimes in your own place of business.  You can also legally have them in your posession if you are either hunting or traveling.  However, you cannot have them on your person (concealed weapon) when just "out and about".  It is also illegal to tote a club (ie, baseball or softball bat), a knife of more than 5.5" (I have friends that take their high-end culinary knives much larger with them all the time to work), or a double-edge blade such as a sword or dagger.  It is, of course, legal to have them in your home.  And it is quite obvious when someone is toting one of these items for use as a weapon rather than their legal uses (to play baseball, to use in their culinary job, to hunt with, during travel).  If you are just wandering down the street with one in your pocket or get pulled over and are subject to search for suspicion, the intent is much different.  

Why in the world would one want to have a switchblade concealed anyway?  It is a recipe for disaster...think about having a single-action switchblade in your pocket, then sitting down and the fabric or your body inadvertently pressing on the button, shooting the blade directly into your own leg or posterior.  No thanks!  If you really must have a knife on your person, a regular pocket knife is much safer and legal to carry for most.  The only practical application would be for someone who is a single-armed amputee who might struggle in opening a regular pocket knife on their own, and there are provisions in the law for that.

Answer 2

The blade has made a rapid comeback in recent years. So why the increase now, and when is a knife illegal?

You can tote a gun in Texas, but knives are much easier to get your hands on. Faced with the increase threat, officers are taking notice.

As KETK 56 News made our way through Tyler we found knife after knife after knife. They are usually carried by men. The ones KETK 56 News spoke with say they carry it for fishing or other types of handy work. However, that’s not all they're being used for.

"An illegal knife is anything that is over 5 1/2 inches, the blade," said Don Martin of the Tyler Police Department.

It’s illegal to carry any switchblade or any knife that uses a spring load.

"You hit the button and it pops open,“It’s easy to stab someone."

You will still find switchblades sold in East Texas. It's legal for officers to carry them. Mack Woods, owner of the Shootist, says he has seen both ladies and men coming in to buy sharp steel.

"They're looking for some kind of self-defense thing, and they can't afford a gun,” Woods said. “Sometimes they're looking for something else and sometimes they look at knives."

The FBI is even taking notice, stating that it's likely that more than 1,000 law-enforcement agents will be attacked with an edged weapon.

Though they are legal, Tyler police are still taking proactive steps when dealing with anyone carrying a knife.

"Depending on the situation we may say hey, you mind if I see your knife while I’m talking to you for my safety," Martin said.

In Tyler there is some good news. Aggravated assaults went down by 2.5 percent in 2005. That includes assaults with any type of weapon.