TexasCHLforum.com

ckr13 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 08, 2016 2:41 pm

I surmised that you live in Texas, but you probably spend most of your time in the city and county where you live and work.
Talking with local law enforcement officials could give you a better idea of whether or not to expect trouble over pepper spray.

Thanks will do! I'll post the outcome in a month or so.

While I understand your reasoning for not carrying it is highly flawed.

First and foremost there's no completely reliable "non lethal" alternative to firearms which is why officers are instructed to never use them unless they have accompanying officers that can give them lethal coverage with a firearm.

You don't need to live in a "bad" city or neighborhood to be victimized by violent felons. Most home invasions not related to the drug business occur in middle class and upscale neighborhoods, not "Inda Hood". Burglary and theft for profit are much more "profitable" in good neighborhoods and in shopping centers/malls with high end clientele.

Taking a human life is without a doubt something that should never be approached lightly but betting your life on "non lethal alternatives" is a great way to end up in the morgue.

Spend some time on Youtube searching for things like "OC Spray Fail", "Pepper Spray Fail", "Fail" videos so you can approach your self defense thinking much better informed.

Flightmare wrote: ↑Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:48 pm

WildRose wrote: ↑Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:41 pm

Jusme wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 3:58 pm

bakertaylor28 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:55 pm

ckr13 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2016 9:27 pm Since we are on the topic of vague "illegal" weapons: What is a bowie knife? I also recently bought a 9.25 total length knife (the Ka-bar 1258). I read the TX penal code and thought I was in the clear, but a friend pointed out the ambiguousness of a "bowie knife."

Actually, a "Bowie Knife" has a typical accepted definition- "a long knife with a blade double-edged at the point." Where the statute doesn't give a specific definition, terms get their ordinary definition in the dictionary. This is a common law rule imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court in criminal law.

Bowie knives, etc, are now legal. There are no more restrictions, on knives, except in certain places, schools, etc.

I believe that double edged daggers remain an unlawful weapon along with gravity assisted and switch blades. Anything resembling a "hunting knife" or Bowie however is now without restriction.

House Bill 1935 from the last session removed all restrictions on blades. There are only "location restricted knives", which are prohibited in certain places.
https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB1935/id/1624843

Ahh, I missed that. Thanks.

Here's a good article laying it all out for anyone else.

https://knifeup.com/texas-knife-laws/

Jusme wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 3:58 pm

bakertaylor28 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:55 pm

ckr13 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 09, 2016 9:27 pm Since we are on the topic of vague "illegal" weapons: What is a bowie knife? I also recently bought a 9.25 total length knife (the Ka-bar 1258). I read the TX penal code and thought I was in the clear, but a friend pointed out the ambiguousness of a "bowie knife."

Actually, a "Bowie Knife" has a typical accepted definition- "a long knife with a blade double-edged at the point." Where the statute doesn't give a specific definition, terms get their ordinary definition in the dictionary. This is a common law rule imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court in criminal law.

Bowie knives, etc, are now legal. There are no more restrictions, on knives, except in certain places, schools, etc.

I believe that double edged daggers remain an unlawful weapon along with gravity assisted and switch blades. Anything resembling a "hunting knife" or Bowie however is now without restriction.

ckr13 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2016 1:13 pm

WildBill wrote:To the OP, you don't say where you live, but you can always ask your local Sheriff or Police chief about the law.

I live in Texas. Pepper spray laws should be uniform throughout Texas and not vary city by city. I do plan on asking. I'd hate to get into trouble over pepper spray.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that pepper spray is only marginally effective at best. It will not stop a determined attacker and if they are already "altered" due to creative chemistry all it's likely to accomplish is to absolutely engage them.

The same is true for stun guns. Many a cop has been beaten to a pulp and a few killed after using the less than lethal alternatives on a suspect that would not stop attacking.

As a rule cops will not even attempt to employ the less than lethal measures unless they have someone backing them up with a firearm for that reason if the law and department/agency parameters allow for the use of deadly force at all.

If you have a genuine need for self defense weaponry of any kind you are far better off getting a handgun and getting well trained with it.