Texas Machete Law

[sung666]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

""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, stiletto,
and poniard;
(D) sword; or
(E) spear.
(7) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is capable
of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or
stabbing a person with the instrument."

That didn't give me an answer to my questions, so I am asking you guys.

- Will I need a license of some sort to prove that I am allowed to own a machete?
- Is it even legal to own a machete in Texas?
- If someone broke into my house and if I use the machete for self-defense, what would the outcome be? (I mean if I kill him with a machete.) What does the law say about this?

[PTPD22]

That didn't give me an answer to my questions, so I am asking you guys.

- Will I need a license of some sort to prove that I am allowed to own a machete?

Well, I'm not that knowledgeable about TX specific knife laws, and I'm not feeling inclined to do your research for you. However, based on the definition you provided, it would certainly seem that a machete would qualify as an "illegal knife" (I've never seen anything with a blade shorter than 5 1/2 inches described as a machete). I would presume from the name that it is illegal to possess an "illegal knife" in TX. However, possession may be permitted under certain circumstances or for specific uses...but, I highly doubt that self defense is one of the allowable uses (if any). I also doubt that there is any sort of license to allow you to have an illegal knife.

- Is it even legal to own a machete in Texas?

See above.

- If someone broke into my house and if I use the machete for self-defense, what would the outcome be? (I mean if I kill him with a machete.) What does the law say about this?

Again, I am not inclined to do your research for you. However, I seem to recall that TX has "castle" laws...meaning it is statutorily permitted to use deadly force in defense of life or property if someone illegally enters your residence. However, that does NOT mean you would not be prosecuted for illegal possession of the weapon.