Thread: Question regarding Texas Knife Laws

Ok so I'm currently in possession of a Bear and Son Balisong, and I want to know if it's illegal to carry.

My friend told me it goes under the term "gravity knife" and I didn't see it on the list.

Texas - Health, Safety & Morals - 46.02. Unlawful carrying weapons.
(a) A person commits an offense if intentionally,
knowingly , or recklessly carries on or about his person a
handgun, illegal knife, or club. [Exceptions: official;
actor was own premises; was traveling; engaged in lawful
hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity; security
guard].

- 46.01. Definitions. (1) "Club"... includes... (D)
Tomahawk...

(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) sword; or
(E) spear.

(7) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is capable
of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument.
- 46.03. Places weapons prohibited.

(a) A person commits an offense if, with a firearm, illegal
knife, club, or prohibited weapon [includes switchblade
knives], he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly goes:
(1) on the physical premises of a school [or school bus];
(2) on the premises of a polling place...
[(3) a court; (4) a racetrack; (5) secured area of an
airport].
- 46.05. Prohibited Weapons. (a) A person commits and offense
if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures,
transports, repairs, or sells... (5) a switchblade
knife... (d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution
under this section that the actor's conduct: (1) was
incidental to dealing with a switchblade knife,
springblade knife, or short-barrel firearm solely as an
antique or curio...
- 46.06. Unlawful transfer of certain weapons.
(a) A person commits an offense if he... (2)... sells...
gives... offers... to any child younger than 18 years any
firearm, or illegal knife [except with written parental
consent].

Texas Case Law:
- "A teacher could not carry weapons in his school room..."
(1889)
- Broken switchblade knife was still a "switchblade knife"
within this section... (1986)
- "Defendant's contention that he took knife to school to
fight demons that plagued him did not defeat requisite
state of mind for conviction..." (1993)


Bernard Levine - Knife Expertise: Knife ID, Knife Laws, Knife Values

However, I've heard it could also be called a "switchblade" or "dagger" in some states, but I'm not sure. I'd only carry it for self defense purposes if it is indeed legal, I don't have any muscle or taken any Martial Arts Classes so I'd like to have some kind of backup.


Just wanted to be sure before I make the conscious decision to take it out of my home.

I'm pretty sure (if I searched the right knife) that's a butterfly knife and not a switchblade (for sure not switchblade) or dagger.

I'm pretty sure all you need to worry about is the blade length.

If I'm not mistaken, the blade can't be longer than 5 1/2 inches. Good way to check this is to see if the blade is longer than the width of your palm.

Another thing is, it can't be a double edged blade.

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