Amaro Law Firm > Attorney Legal Articles > New Texas Law Legalizes Brass Knuckles & Other Self-Defense Weapons, Marks Next Step in Ongoing Effort to Modernize State’s Weapons Bans
September 16, 2019
Texans are now free to carry certain self-defense weaponswithout fear of criminal prosecution. Thanks to HouseBill (HB) 446, which took effect on September 1st, it’s nowlegal for Texans to carry brass knuckles, clubs, and wild kat keychains (alsoknown as “kitty keychains”).
New Texas LawMakes Key Updates to “Prohibited Weapons List”
Prior to September 1st, brass knuckles, clubs,and kitty keychains were classified as prohibited weapons in Texas. This meantthat:
- These self-defense weapons were effectively inthe same category as machine guns, armor-piercing ammunition, and otherexplosive weapons.
- Texans could be charged with a class Amisdemeanor for carrying or using prohibited self-defense weapons. A convictionfor this misdemeanor could result in up to one year in jail and up to $4,000 infines.
Unanimously approved by the Texas Legislature, HB 446 hasmade critical updates to what some have called an “antiquated” ban on brassknuckles. The brass knuckles ban has been in effect in Texas for more thancentury.
The new law also marks the most recent step in an ongoingeffort to modernize weapons bans in the state. Many support the new law notonly for decriminalizing self-defense weapons but also for eliminating astatute that some believed targeted people of color.
Summing up the importance of this new law, Rep. Joe Moody(D-El Paso), who co-authored HB 446, has explained:
We’re taking something out of the code that has a large potential for misuse…If someone has a novelty item or a legitimate self-defense tool, we really shouldn’t be prosecuting them for that… That’s not a good use of resources.
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