79R6574 BDH-D

By:  Luna                                                         H.B. No. 2343



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the definition of an illegal knife; providing criminal 
penalties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 46.01(6), Penal Code, is amended to read 
as follows:     
		(6)  "Illegal knife" means a:                                                 
			(A)  knife with a total blade length over five and 
one-half inches, as measured along the surface of the blade;
			(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.                                                                  
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.  
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and 
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For 
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the 
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was 
committed before that date.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.