New Texas law allows us to carry all kinds of weapons in our cars without a license

CastleHills says:

This is just incredible. I find it very surprising that the police would let this law be passed...now they have to worry about every Tom Dick and Harry pulling a gun on them.

bryan1788 says:

Please do move to another state.

@CastleHills

last time I checked... if I was the type to pull a gun on a cop, I really didn't care whether there was a law stating I was allowed to have it in my car or not.

Cantonson says:

Seriously? Come on. Move to another state? I imagine you don't own a hand gun... If you did, you would understand the significance behind this. Imagine what might have happened at Virginia Tech, strictly for example's sake, if someone had the training and tools to end that disaster before it became just that, a disaster. Guns don't kill people, people kill people, and if I can protect my fellow law abiding citizens, friends or family in a time of need and perhaps prevent future attacks at the same time, count me in. Protecting our right to bear arms is key to protecting our rights themselves... as well as our lives.

bryan1788 says:

I'm not really sure where CBS11 got the idea about tomahawks and swords. The bill mentions specifically knives and clubs, and I guess if you put those together you have a tomahawk. Are very long knives considered swords? Seems like they're trying a little too hard to be dramatic in the article.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLook...

eastside says:

Is this just another way of searching your vehicle under "probable cause"?

Scott says:

Bryan,

See the definition of "club" in Section 46.01(1) of the Penal Code:

"'Club' means an instrument that is specially designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument, and includes but is not limited to the following: (a) blackjack; (b) nightstick; (c) mace; (d) tomahawk."

Then see the definition of "illegal knife" in Section 46.01(6) of the Penal Code:

"'Illegal knife' means a: (a) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches; (b) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown; (c) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stilletto, and poniard; (d) bowie knife; (e) sword; or (f) spear."

bryan1788 says:

Thanks Scott. I still think they're trying to be dramatic, but I guess they could have listed spear as well...

Clay213 says:

You could move to Virginia, where you can carry a gun UNHIDDEN WITHOUT EVEN A PERMIT.

inarchetype says:

1) I'm not worried about increased danger; The guys you really need to worry about already carry weapons in their cars- you don't think it makes much difference to them whether its legal or not do you?

2) What I do worry about is an increased likelihood of my car getting broken into now that more law abiding citizens will be assumed to have (valuable) weapons in their cars!

ch0 says:

We be clubbin!

grumpyold_fart says:

It has already been useful, when I was approached by a road rage driver who thought my handicap placard would be an easy assult. Ichanged his attitude, he changed his shorts. I don't care who doesn't like the new law. I am no longer a passive victim.

grumpyold_fart says:

When a person changes lanes from a dead stop, wheels quickly behind you, exits their vehicle and runs up to your door with their fist doubled up and their arm drawn back to swing,cussing like a drunken idiot.....I think it is safe to assume they mean to do some damage, so no, I do not think he was trying to tell me a light was out. I am a retired peace officer and have been trained for many years to recognise aggression. If everyone carried, roadrage would soon become less prevalent.

grumpyold_fart says:

I don't worry about all the "what if's", I deal with what reality there is here and now. Just like the bleeding hearts that said conceal carry would have blood running in the streets,they won't overcome this either. Maybe some good citizen can save their life someday and show them people are smart enough to handle their lives when they are not afraid to protect themselves and their families. I don't intend to debate the worthiness of this from now on.Those that can, will. Those that can't or won't will whine and complain. Carry on.

jeremiahp says:

What a bunch of fear-mongering. I've long carried a steel bar in my trunk for use with my tire iron. It's ulterior use was self defense - I've never instigated a problem, but I have seen others assaulted in parking lots and have been approached by drunk rednecks that have randomly assaulted members in my group. Friends have witnessed enraged drivers leave their vehicles in traffic to beat on the windows of elderly drivers - they were neutralized by other citizens. Ever since, I have wanted to keep a club under the driver seat, but didn't want to create a problem should I be stopped by the police. I also train in kung fu - carrying some of the weapons to class have actually been illegal. I transport them in the trunk and store them safely at home. However, the law would have placed me in jeopardy had I been pulled over for a minor traffic violation. I have a right to "bear arms" for self-defense. If you don't like it, please do move.

jeremiahp says:

Word, Scott. Call me slow on the uptake regarding this news. :-)

But, enraged drivers and drunk rednecks have always carried weapons - the law doesn't make their weaponized assaults legal. Neutralizing them, however, has now gone from dangerously necessary to legal for the rest of us.

jtmbls says:

OMG! I am totally going to load my official Buffy the Vampire Slayer weapon trunk in my car as soon as I get home!! Bring it on drunk rednecks! Quit being a wuss Doyle…so lame.

jeremiahp says:

Pavel and jtmbls, y'all are funny - I have a liberal sense of humor, I laughed. But, once you witness or experience this sort of random violence and are forced to make decisions about defending yourself and others, you begin to see these issues in context.

Once while walking out of a pool hall on 6th Street in Austin, I saw a crowd of people surrounding two, apparently homeless individuals locked in a desperate struggle. One had a very large Bowie knife held above his head and the other, smaller man, was straining to hold the attacker's arm away. A crowd of people stood there staring at this scene. I questioned whether I should involve myself and why others hadn't already done so, but overcame the fear long enough to raise a fist and move in to help the smaller man. Just as I approached, cops bust through the crowd and wrestled the man to the ground.

The law we're discussing doesn't apply to this situation - the Bowie knife is illegal to carry around and the assault is obviously illegal. But, experiencing events like that force you to consider defensive contingencies. Most streets are not as well staffed with vigilant police officers and I've now witnessed, experienced and heard firsthand accounts of too many of these situations to not take it seriously.

jeremiahp says:

Tony, the Uzi and grenade are illegal. You're busted.

jtmbls says:

jeremiahp - Although my response was sarcastic, believe me, I could not be more in favor of people protecting themselves by any means. In fact, the only reason I don’t own a gun is because, more likely than not, I would use it…on a daily basis…

Doyle – I was talking to someone who has a conceal carry license and was told that the castle law does indeed extend to your vehicle - if you are in it. He also pointed out that if a person chooses to use that weapon, you can count on a minimum of $10,000. in legal fees just to demonstrate that use was lawful and necessary. Just look at all the bs police officers have to go through when they use/draw their weapons. I guess I will just have to stick with my stake and crucifix.

jtmbls says:

Oh and my kickass Buffy moves!