Are balisongs illegal to carry in Texas?

[Diamond Cut II]

I like to carry my butterfly knife alot but I'm worried about city ordnances. I don't want to get caught with an illegal knife on me...can someone help me? Thanks.


-DC2

 

[shootist16]

Looks like you may be out of luck:

Check out 46.01 subsection B

§ 46.05. Prohibited Weapons
(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells:
(1) an explosive weapon;
(2) a machine gun;
(3) a short-barrel firearm;
(4) a firearm silencer;
(5) a switchblade knife;
(6) knuckles;
(7) armor-piercing ammunition;
(8) a chemical dispensing device; or
(9) a zip gun.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor's conduct was incidental to the performance of official duty by the armed forces or national guard, a governmental law enforcement agency, or a correctional facility.
(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; or
organization, agency, or institution listed in Subsection (b).
(e) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree unless it is committed under Subsection (a)(5) or (a)(6), in which event, it is a Class A misdemeanor.

46.01 Definitions:
(11) "Switchblade knife" means any knife that has a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.


There are threads elsewhere on the forum about Balisongs in Texas:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=191754&highlight=texas+balisong

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=172524&highlight=texas+balisong

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167121&highlight=texas+balisong

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153054&highlight=texas+balisong

 

[Diamond Cut II]

Thanks Shootist.