Fixed blade legal on collge campus in TX?

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Bearkat101

Joined
Mar 19, 2006
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Ok so I have been trying to find out if carrying a fixed blade knife (More specifically the Spyderco Kumo) is legal on my campus here in Texas. I can't seem to find any solid information pertaining to fixed blades. My school code says that students may possess knives under 5 1/2 inches long (mine is a 3.75 in. sharpened edge) in their dorms/apartments but, I still don't know if that means I can carry my knife around the campus. Anyone out there have any ideas on the interpretation of this?
Thanks,
Chris
 
As I understand the Texas penal code, a legal knife in Texas is legal on a school campus. It looks like your school rules for students can be interpreted to mean that they really do not want students carrying knives around with them, but "house rules" are NOT THE SAME AS STATE LAW. So, a legal knife being carried on campus cannot result in a prosecution for the knife itself. BUT, not following HOUSE RULES can result in expulsion from the premises, and if the expulsion is resisted, i.e., you want to make a stand and argue for your "rights," then it is possible to be arrested for criminal trespassing. Not likely, but possible. This is not legal advice; I wear a badge, but I am not a lawyer. The best bet is to be discreet, carry a relatively harmless-looking knife, and be very meek, mild, and apologetic if confronted by school authorities. And, be aware that there is very much ignorance of the law on the part of security and police personnel. One more thing: it would be best not to push the limits on what is legal, by staying away from anything that could be considered a dirk or dagger, which means mean-looking knives are not the best in non-permissive environments.
 
Rex G give good advice:thumbup:

My head of security buddy in a TX state facility where I work told me that anything over 3 inches is ILLEGAL, can be penalize by termination :eek: ; anything under is CONTRABAND, no problem unless you wave it like a fool. Of course its only good for that facility.

Be discreet and polite.
 
Another state -
My campus rules said one could only have a kitchen knife in the dorm room (no size mentioned). I wore a prettly long handmade hunting knife around campus for about a semester before an officer stopped me for it.
I told him I thought I was fine, as the campus rules said nothing about knices outside the dorm, and the state allows open carry of anything.
He acknowledged the lack of clarity in the handbook, but pointed out that state law forbade carrying any sort of weapon on campus. OTOH, he pointedly said he had no reason to look in my pockets...
 
My university follows Texas state law. Anything 5.5 inches and under is fine. This assumes it doesn't fall under the provisions related to dirks, daggers, autos, bowie knives, etc......

Ask the head of security to provide you with the campus "law" in writing. If you don't want to call attention to yourself, you might look for a knife friendly faculty member to ask for you. Hint: Try the college of business or school of engineering. ;)

Many of my students carry knives. Many of them quite interesting.

True story. I was discussing Spyderco's product innovations in class. Mentioned the Spyderhole and the speed/ease of opening. A female student on the front row reached into her purse, pulled out a Boker auto....zip....and asked me if they opened as fast as her knife. :D Another student then pulled out his BM Stryker...and the discussion went on from there. Ahhhhh....Texas. Gotta love it....
 
Ahh yes, nothing like texas. thanks for the help everyone. I basically decided that i like being on campus, in school, so i only carry my spydy off campus. i keep a kershaw splinter on me tho. i love it.
 
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