Know Your Weapons
Posted By Criminal Law Standard on Aug 16, 2010 9:02pm PDT
Otherwise law-abiding citizens can find themselves charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon simply because they do not know which weapons are lawful to carry and/or under what circumstances such weapons can (and cannot) legally be carried. Unlawful carrying of a weapon in a Class A Misdemeanor pursuant to Texas Law, and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and/or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one (1) year.
For example, while most people know that a machine gun and switchblade knife are illegal to carry, many people do not realize a knife with a blade more than five (5) and a half inches long is an “illegal knife” under Texas Law. As such, a person who carries a birthday cake and an ordinary kitchen knife (with a blade longer than five (5) and a half inches) to their neighbor’s house could be be committing the crime of unlawful carrying of a weapon. In short, before you leave your house with an implement that may be considered a weapon, make sure it is lawful for you to carry that weapon.
If you have been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon or any other crime, please contact the D’Amore Law Firm to arrange a free consultation with Tom D’Amore. Tom has over 23 years experience handling criminal cases including, among others, theft crimes, drug crimes, sex crimes, and violent crimes. See Tom’s profile for additional details.