N
Luxe Prestige Chronicle

are switchblades legal in texas

Author

Sarah Scott

Updated on May 15, 2026

Texas Penal Code 46.01 defined an illegal knife as a knife with a blade over five and one-half inches in length, a hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown, a dagger, dirk, stiletto, poniard, bowie knife, sword, or spear.

Are switchblades and butterfly knives illegal in Texas?

The possession, manufacture, transport, or sale of switchblades was previously prohibited under § 46.05 of the Penal Code, but on September 1, 2013, the Texas Legislature modified the statute and made switchblades, and therefore butterfly knives, no longer prohibited.

Can a felon own a switchblade in Texas?

The felon in possession of a weapon charge means that anyone convicted of a felony cannot own or possess a switch-blade, a butterfly knife, a clubbing instrument, a Taser or a stun gun.

Are switchblades legal in Texas 2019?

Switchblade Knives now Legal in Texas

Switchblade knives are legal to carry, use, and manufacture in Texas as of Sept. 1, 2020. Since the 1950s, it has been illegal to own or use a switchblade knife in the state of Texas.

Are Blackjacks legal in Texas?

End of dialog window. Tomahawks, nightsticks, maces and blackjacks will be legal to carry in Texas as of Sept. 1. That’s when the clubs, along with brass knuckles and security key chains, will be removed from the list of restricted weapons in Texas, under a plan approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov.

Why are push daggers illegal?

A push dagger is not a good tool for cutting rope, batoning wood, opening packages, or slicing tape. In some eyes, the only reason you would carry one is “as a weapon,” which makes them illegal to carry.

Are spring assisted knives legal in Texas?

As of September 1, 2013, it is legal to manufacture, sell, repair, transport, and possess switchblades. However, the Knife Preemption law proposed with this change did not pass, and some bladed weapons similar to switchblades remain illegal.

Are knuckle knives legal in Texas?

But knives with “knuckles” as part of the handle still remain illegal to possess in Texas, according to kniferights.org. (In case you’re wondering, tomahawks are classified as a club and also illegal to carry in Texas.)

Are switchblades legal?

There is no federal restriction on ownership, possession or carrying of a switchblade knife. There are some states that have enacted laws regarding switchblades (see State Laws Regarding Auto-Open Knives). The majority of states allow auto-open knives.

Are push daggers legal in Texas?

Now in 2017 we have removed all of the “illegal knives” in Texas law, finally allowing Texans the right to carry a Bowie knife, dagger and virtually any other knife.

Are brass knuckles legal Texas?

On behalf of Granger and Mueller PC posted in Criminal Law on Monday, October 21, 2019. September saw some new laws on the books in Texas, including one that now makes it legal to carry brass knuckles to defend yourself in the event you are in trouble.

Is butterfly knife illegal?

In California, butterfly knives are prohibited. Under California Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are classified as a form of switchblade. Carrying, possessing in public, selling, or otherwise transferring a butterfly knife is illegal under this legislation.

Are double sided blades illegal in Texas?

“The way the law currently is is that any knife with a blade length over 5 ½ inches is prohibited, so with the new law, it basically takes all that prohibited language off the books thus allowing knives over 5 ½ inches of blade length, also daggers, double-edged knives, dirks, even swords will soon come legal September

Can I carry a sword in Texas?

As of September 1, 2017, it is legal to carry a knife with a blade longer than 5.5 inches in many places in Texas. Though there are exceptions carved out, Texans are now allowed to openly carry Jim Bowie knives, Rambo knives, daggers, swords, and yes, even machetes.

Are Bowie knives legal in Texas?

As for legality concerns, people in Texas can own, carry, and purchase the following types of knives: throwing stars or any type of throwing knife; dirks, daggers, stilettos, and other stabbing knives; bowie knives, swords or spears; switchable knives; pocketknives; and balisong (butterfly knife).