<p>I was recently accepted to McCombs (yay!) and I'm now hurriedly making arrangements for housing, tuition, classes, etc..</p>
<p>I am an avid outdoorsman and it's just a habit for me to carry a survival knife (fire starter, LED light, window smasher, and 3.5in folding blade)</p>
<p>It occurred to me today that knives may not actually be allowed on campus ground. Does anybody have any information on this? Would it be against the rules for me to continue to carry it around in my pocket?</p>
<p><a href=“Weapons on Campus | UT Police Department | The University of Texas at Austin”>Weapons on Campus | UT Police Department | The University of Texas at Austin;
<p>“The possession of a firearm, illegal knife, or prohibited weapon on the grounds of an educational institution is a third-degree felony in Texas. You should never bring weapons onto campus, and you should always follow safety protocols if you see an armed individual.”</p>
<p>This link is also very helpful for people like you: <a href=“http://www.cbssurvivorcasting.com/”>http://www.cbssurvivorcasting.com/</a></p>
<p>OP, do you think you’re going to be marooned in the stacks at PCL or something? Why in the world would you need those items??</p>
<p>@foafoa </p>
<p>Lol, thank you for that. My knife isn’t illegal, so it does seem that it would be okay to carry on campus. Legal blades in Texas are under 5.5 in with no assisted opening mechanism (fits the bill)</p>
<p>@MaineLonghorn </p>
<p>I’ve been camping since I was seven years old, and I got this knife (all the “items” are part of the knife handle) when I was 12. I fell in love with it.
You don’t realize how helpful having a bright LED light is until you’re carrying it 24/7. Similarly, I find that I’m using my knife daily from things such as opening the mail to cutting cheese for crackers. Admittedly, the fire starter and car items are less helpful but they’re nice to have and they don’t take up much space.</p>
<p>kids usually lose their safety blankets when they get older, a knife that is visible on campus you are asking for trouble, personally I don’t see how prohibiting you from carrying a knife violates a constitutional right. </p>
<p>Gibbs rule #9 - always carry a knife. Our kids work are Scouts and work summers at Scout camp. They’re used to carrying knives (but also know not to bring them to high school). When we moved D in she had her knife. It came in useful during the move, but we decided to take it back with us rather than risk problems on campus.</p>
<p>I could see keeping a pocket knife handy, but you don’t need anything bigger than that.</p>
<p>@InigoMontoya </p>
<p>Ahh, what kind of problems would you expect? My biggest worry is simply that it would get confiscated- I’m loath to leave it home though because I’ve never been apart from it for much longer than a few days…</p>
<p>@MaineLonghorn </p>
<p>I have wished the blade was smaller at times because 3.5 in is a little on the large side for a pocket knife.</p>
<p>It’s not like I’m brandishing it every few seconds. It stays (concealed) in my pocket the entire day, except for the few seconds its in use. I’ve used it as a flashlight before without people even realizing it’s a knife! </p>
<p>I do not care if one carries weapons in most settings but it “irks” me when this takes place in an academic environment where there would never be a practical use for a knife. Sure, its not just a practical tool, there is also sentimental value attached to the object. You said your not planning on branding (showing off) the knife. Thats cool. But know that not everyone is so accepting of such a tool even if its 3.5 inches. It could get you in trouble. Do research and be aware of all policies and regulations regarding possessing something as simple as a knife. </p>
<p>I checked the rule where D goes to school, and any knife with a total length over 6 inches when opened is considered weapon, and possession can result in suspension or expulsion. I’m not sure the total length of her knife, but blade and handle together when opened are probably close to that. Not worth the risk. Check the student handbook at your school, but then also realize not everyone may be familiar with the exact rule, and you could get reported and questioned. She’s at school in a big city, and knives are looked at differently than where she grew up, which is an area where hunting and camping are commonplace.</p>
<p>@RedEyeJedi </p>
<p>Thank you for your advice- I will probably end up just calling the security office or even going in to show them the knife and straight up asking if it’s okay. If not, no harm done I can always just leave it in my room (I’m guessing that would be okay?)</p>
<p>@InigoMontoya </p>
<p>Wow, that’s pretty strict. Mine is 8.5 inches when opened, 5 in when closed. I had not thought to check the student handbook (thank you), and I’ll do so. So far, all I can find is the rule stating “illegal knives” aren’t allowed which I would have thought was self evident.</p>
Just because he doesn’t use it in class doesn’t mean it can’t be concealed on his person. He probably doesn’t want to make a trip to his dorm and back before and after ever class for his POCKET knife. It defeats the purpose.
Forget the knife, bring your gun!
jk!jk!
It’s interesting to me that the policy at UT seems to be so vague. I have a son at another university and it it very specific - no blade more than 4", no assisted opening, etc. The policy for weapons in the UT dorms is even less specific citing “any weapons that could inflict bodily harm”. That seems to rule out the hammer and screwdriver in the tool kit I bought and even the mallet you can check out from the desk to assemble bunk beds. No scissors in desks either, I guess. Come to think of it, stiletto heels would be outlawed too. :-/
Interesting that the governor of Texas is about to sign a law allowing students to carry guns on college campuses and we have a question about knives. It would be somewhat illogical to allow you to carry a handgun but not knife. Don’t mistake that for advice. The new law won’t go into effect until August 2016 and you have to be 21.
I also thought it was interesting that Texas is not the only state with such a law. Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin also allow it.