- Joined
- Jul 1, 2006
- Messages
- 8,170
For a while I've worried about the legality of an Argonne Assault in Texas based on a state law prohibition on "knuckles." So much so that when I looked at the law, I felt the need to dispose of mine out of state. Not for very much longer, though.
According to section 46.01(8) the Texas Penal Code, "'Knuckles' means any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles." I think it's obvious to all thinking people that the finger holes on an AA are for retention and to protect the fingers against accidental injury, and not at all for more effectively smashing someone in the face. After all, if you meant to do someone serious bodily injury, it would be a lot easier to just use that pointy end or the slicey part.
But still, this is a state where a prosecutor wrote an article bragging about how he got some otherwise law-abiding woman convicted on a weapons charge for possession of a "knuckle clutch." In case you don't know what a "knuckle clutch" is, it's a purse with a handle that looks like brass knuckles. While looking for a link to that article (the article's been deleted, but the WaybackMachine remembers), I ran across one where a guy was arrested for possessing what they described as a "trench knife." But the gun in the glovebox was fine. 'Cause, it's Texas. But the BudK folder with finger holes in the trunk? Now that's a crime.
Maybe this guy's knife was different because when folded, it looked like brass knuckles (except with a Confederate battle flag motif), or maybe you just you can't expect a cop to be a thinking person (especially when you detain him for an hour so the drug dog can find no illegal drugs, and you've got to justify it somehow). Or maybe it was just because the guy was from Arkansas. But whatever the reason, off to jail he went.
Heck, they've even prosecuted girls for carrying kitty keychains, I guess because it's one thing to carry something manly like a Bowie Knife or a Glock, but a cute little plastic keychain that might could be used to fend off a rapist? Not in my state, missy.
Well, come September 1, it's no longer a concern. Last Saturday, Governor Abbot signed H.B. 446, which struck "knuckles" from the list of prohibited items, and any doubts about the legality of an AA will evaporate.
It's also currently illegal in Texas to carry a tomahawk, because according to section 46.01(1), a tomahawk is a "club," and 46.02(a) makes it illegal to carry a club. But thanks to H.B. 446, hawks too will soon be joining swords, daggers, switchblades, and knives with blades over 5 1/2 inches in the category of things Texans are now allowed to freely carry on their persons (except in certain specified places like schools, bars, courthouses, etc).
So Jerry, for September 1, 2019, could we get a commemorative Texican Bowie AA, with a suitable companion Hawk? In honor of freedom, and all that?
According to section 46.01(8) the Texas Penal Code, "'Knuckles' means any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and that is designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles." I think it's obvious to all thinking people that the finger holes on an AA are for retention and to protect the fingers against accidental injury, and not at all for more effectively smashing someone in the face. After all, if you meant to do someone serious bodily injury, it would be a lot easier to just use that pointy end or the slicey part.
But still, this is a state where a prosecutor wrote an article bragging about how he got some otherwise law-abiding woman convicted on a weapons charge for possession of a "knuckle clutch." In case you don't know what a "knuckle clutch" is, it's a purse with a handle that looks like brass knuckles. While looking for a link to that article (the article's been deleted, but the WaybackMachine remembers), I ran across one where a guy was arrested for possessing what they described as a "trench knife." But the gun in the glovebox was fine. 'Cause, it's Texas. But the BudK folder with finger holes in the trunk? Now that's a crime.
Maybe this guy's knife was different because when folded, it looked like brass knuckles (except with a Confederate battle flag motif), or maybe you just you can't expect a cop to be a thinking person (especially when you detain him for an hour so the drug dog can find no illegal drugs, and you've got to justify it somehow). Or maybe it was just because the guy was from Arkansas. But whatever the reason, off to jail he went.
Heck, they've even prosecuted girls for carrying kitty keychains, I guess because it's one thing to carry something manly like a Bowie Knife or a Glock, but a cute little plastic keychain that might could be used to fend off a rapist? Not in my state, missy.
Well, come September 1, it's no longer a concern. Last Saturday, Governor Abbot signed H.B. 446, which struck "knuckles" from the list of prohibited items, and any doubts about the legality of an AA will evaporate.
It's also currently illegal in Texas to carry a tomahawk, because according to section 46.01(1), a tomahawk is a "club," and 46.02(a) makes it illegal to carry a club. But thanks to H.B. 446, hawks too will soon be joining swords, daggers, switchblades, and knives with blades over 5 1/2 inches in the category of things Texans are now allowed to freely carry on their persons (except in certain specified places like schools, bars, courthouses, etc).
So Jerry, for September 1, 2019, could we get a commemorative Texican Bowie AA, with a suitable companion Hawk? In honor of freedom, and all that?
Last edited:
