Texas Democrat Introduces Bill to Remove Ban on “Brass” Knucks

Ammoland ^ | 25 December, 2018 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Texas law currently bans a number of weapons. Representative Joe Moody proposes to remove “brass” knuckles from the list of banned weapons in section 46.05 (a). Here is the list of banned weapons. From texas.gov:

(1) any of the following items, unless the item is registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or otherwise not subject to that registration requirement or unless the item is classified as a curio or relic by the United States Department of Justice:

(A) an explosive weapon;

(B) a machine gun; or

(C) a short-barrel firearm;

(2) knuckles;

(3) armor-piercing ammunition;

(4) a chemical dispensing device;

(5) a zip gun;

(6) a tire deflation device; [or]

(7) a firearm silencer, unless the firearm silencer is classified as a curio or relic by the United States

Department of Justice or the actor otherwise possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells the firearm silencer in compliance with federal law; or

Representative Moody proposes to remove (2) knuckles from the list.  He gives, as his reason, gives an example of a young woman who is arrested for a keychain devise that fits the definition. From texasstandard.com:

We recently also lifted the prohibition on switchblades, and so switchblades, brass knuckles… we’re not living in “West Side Story,'” In a couple of instances, someone has a legitimate self-defense tool.

[marktwain]

Most bans on weapons should be revoked. The Supreme Court, in Caetano, ruled that all "bearable arms" are protected by the Second Amendment.

[ronnie raygun]

Un arming the civilian population so the thugs and Gangbanger illegals can have their way, just look at the EU

[Red Badger]

(C) a short-barrel firearm??????????...............

[Red Badger]

(2) knuckles;

So we are defenseless against Muslim invaders?.................

[familyop]

Brass knuckles? I thought, “Don’t legalize those!” Then I read, “He gives...an example of a young woman who is arrested for a keychain devise that fits the definition.”

Oh, okay. Legalize them!

[marktwain]

(C) a short-barrel firearm??????????...............

Texas, as with many states, copied Federal bans on short barreled rifles and shotguns into its state law.

My belief is they were lobbied to do so so as to prevent challenges to the National Firearms Act.

The NFA is irrational and may not stand a Supreme Court challenge, particularly now with Gorsuch and Kavanagh on the Court.

[VietVet]

Unless the items on that list are more specifically defined elsewhere in the law, everything on that list is unconstitutionally vague and unenforceable. “explosive weapon?” Does that include firecrackers? Blanks? “Machine gun?” Define machine gun. “Short barreled firearm?” How short? Same length for handguns and shoulder fired guns?
“chemical disperser” Like spray cans of insecticide, cleaning fluids, bear spray, cooking oils, hair spray, whatever? “Knuckles?” Would that include any weight/rigidity reinforcement for the fist, like a roll of nickels or protective backs of work gloves? And so on...and on...and on.

ANY thing can be used as a weapon/force multiplier. You can't ban them all, and you really don't want to give the Law Enforcement Agencies and their Officers discretionary powers to decide on the spot what is a prohibited weapon and what is not.

I mean, come on, a “tire deflation device?” Every portable tire gauge includes one; any sharp pointed object IS one.

[reed13k]

Tire deflation device??? so knives, hatchets, chainsaws.....basically anything you can use to puncture a tire?

[smokingfrog]

[marktwain]

Unless the items on that list are more specifically defined elsewhere in the law,

They are. The definitions are in statute at the link.

[TaxPayer2000]

Don’t forget nails and screws...

[DesertRhino]

You against brass knuckles? Odd

[ridesthemiles]

A tire deflation device???

That is a weapon?

Either a wooden match or a small nail works if you want to deflate a tire.

ALSO-—just use a side cutters & cut the valve stem.

[Scrambler Bob]

Tire Deflation Device-

For all those folks carrying Spike Strips in their trunks.

[Lurkinanloomin]

I would not count too heavily on Kavanaugh.
To him precedent is king.
I don’t foresee him overturning much.

[Beagle8U]

“a tire deflation device

Huh? That little nub on the tire gauge?

[BipolarBob]

For all those folks carrying Spike Strips in their trunks.

If the police can have them, why can't I?

[mylife]

I’m concerned about Yankees and “Pop”.

You com around here I’ll pop you upside the head with this coca cola bottle!

[Red Badger]

What about ‘caps’?...........................as in, “I’ll pop a cap in yo’ azz!”....................

[Theodore R.]

Whenever it says “Texas Democrat”, hold on to your wallets!