It is unlawful to possess or carry many types of weapons in Texas. Under the unlawful carrying of weapons statute, it is a misdemeanor for someone to carry or possess an unlicensed handgun, an illegal knife or a club. An illegal knife is defined as a single-edged knife with a blade length in excess of 5 ½ inches, a double-edged knife of any length, a sword or a spear. A club is defined as anything made or adapted to strike someone and cause serious injury. Under the prohibited weapons statute, a person cannot possess, among other things, an explosive device, a machine gun, a short-barreled firearm or a switchblade knife. Since 1995, Texas law has allowed an individual to carry a handgun so long as the person obtains a permit, conceals the gun and does not carry it into bars, schools, churches, hospitals, or other sensitive locations.