What are the laws around carrying blades, knives in Texas?

State laws regarding the carrying of knives and other bladed weapons in Texas changed in 2017.

Before, knives with blades longer than 5.5 inches, such as Bowie knives and a few other kinds, were prohibited from being carried outside the home.

In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed a bill, HB 1935, which got rid of the category of “illegal knives.”

• Millions of dollars in SNAP benefits stolen from Texans. But state, feds won’t share who’s taking them

Knife holders in Texas can now carry blades up to and including machetes and swords in many public places.

The law does contain a few areas where blades longer than 5.5 inches are still restricted from being carried. These include bars, schools, school-sponsored events, airports, racetracks, places of worship, sporting event facilities, government buildings, courthouses, and jails.

• FBI agent shoots woman with machete in Houston’s south side, officials say

Open carrying and concealed carrying of knives are not restricted, provided the location does not conflict with the restricted locations listed above.