Brass Knuckle Laws: What You Need to Know
A Brief History of Brass Knuckles
Before diving into the laws, let’s take a quick look at the history of brass knuckles. These weapons date back to ancient times, with examples found in Rome, Greece, and even India. Throughout history, brass knuckles have been used for both self-defense and offensive purposes.
The Legality of Brass Knuckles in the United States
In the United States, brass knuckle laws vary from state to state, making it crucial to understand the specific regulations in your area. Some states classify brass knuckles as “dangerous weapons” or “prohibited weapons,” resulting in varying degrees of restrictions on their possession, sale, and use.
States with Strict Brass Knuckle Laws
In some states, brass knuckles are outright illegal or heavily regulated. These states include:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Washington
States with More Lenient Brass Knuckle Laws
Other states have more lenient laws surrounding brass knuckles, allowing for their possession and use under specific circumstances:
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Montana
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Wyoming
States with Legal but with Permit Only
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN ALABAMA
Alabama – Illegal to possess or sell under Code of Alabama § 13A-11-20.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN ALASKA
Alaska – Legal to possess and carry openly, but illegal to carry concealed.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN ARIZONA
Arizona – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN ARKANSAS
Arkansas – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Arkansas Code § 5-73-121.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN CALIFORNIA
California – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Penal Code 21810.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN COLORADO
Colorado – Illegal to possess or use with the intent to use as a weapon under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-12-102.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN CONNECTICUT
Connecticut – Illegal to possess, sell or carry under Connecticut General Statutes § 53-206.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN DELAWARE
Delaware – Illegal to possess, sell, or carry under Delaware Code § 222.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN FLORIDA
Florida – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN GEORGIA
Georgia – Illegal to possess, sell or carry under Georgia Code § 16-11-126.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN HAWAII
Hawaii – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 134-51.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN IDAHO
Idaho – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN ILLINOIS
Illinois – Illegal to possess under Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(8).
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN INDIANA
Indiana – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN IOWA
Iowa – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Iowa Code § 724.4.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN KANSAS
Kansas – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kansas Statutes § 21-4001.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 527.020.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana – Illegal to possess or sell under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:95.2.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MAINE
Maine – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MARYLAND
Maryland – Illegal to possess or sell under Maryland Code § 4-101(a)(6).
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts – Illegal to possess or sell under Massachusetts General Laws ch. 269 § 10(b).
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MICHIGAN
Michigan – Illegal to possess or sell under Michigan Compiled Laws 750.224a.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MINNESOTA
Minnesota – Illegal to possess or sell under Minnesota Statutes § 609.222.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MISSOURI
Missouri – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Missouri Revised Statutes § 571.020.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN MONTANA
Montana – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEBRASKA
Nebraska – Illegal to possess or sell under Nebraska Revised Statutes § 28-1202.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEVADA
Nevada – Illegal to possess or sell.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEW JERSEY
New Jersey – Illegal to possess under New Jersey Statutes Annotated 2C:39-3(f).
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEW MEXICO
New Mexico – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NEW YORK
New York – Illegal to possess under New York Penal Law § 265.01(1).
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under North Carolina General Statutes § 14-269.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN OHIO
Ohio – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN OREGON
Oregon – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island – Illegal to possess or sell under Rhode Island General Laws § 11-47-42.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under South Carolina Code § 16-23-460.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN TENNESSEE
Tennessee – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Tennessee Code § 39-17-1304.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN TEXAS
Texas – Legal to possess under House Bill 446, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN UTAH
Utah – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN VERMONT
Vermont – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN VIRGINIA
Virginia – Illegal to possess or sell under Virginia Code § 18.2-311.1.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN WASHINGTON
Washington – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Revised Code of Washington § 9.41.250.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN WISCONSIN
Wisconsin – Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Wisconsin Statutes § 941.24.
BRASS KNUCKLE LAWS IN WYOMING
Wyoming – Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.
Understanding the Penalties for Violating Brass Knuckle Laws
Violating brass knuckle laws can result in severe consequences, including hefty fines, jail time, or both. Penalties often depend on the severity of the violation and any prior criminal history.
Navigating the Legal Gray Areas
Brass Knuckles vs. “Paperweights”
In some jurisdictions, brass knuckles are sold as “paperweights” or “belt buckles” to circumvent the law. While this may seem like a clever workaround, it’s essential to understand that using these items as weapons could still land you in hot water.
The Role of Intent
When it comes to brass knuckle laws, intent plays a significant role in determining the legality of possession or use. In some cases, simply carrying brass knuckles with the intent to use them as a weapon may be enough to warrant legal repercussions.
Traveling with Brass Knuckles: A Word of Caution
If you’re planning to travel with brass knuckles, it’s crucial to be aware of the specific laws in your destination. This includes not only state laws but also any regulations that might apply to transportation methods, such as air travel or crossing state lines.
FAQs about Brass Knuckle Laws
1. Can I legally carry brass knuckles for self-defense?
The legality of carrying brass knuckles for self-defense depends on your jurisdiction. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with your state’s specific brass knuckle laws before making any decisions.
2. Are brass knuckle laws the same for minors and adults?
In general, brass knuckle laws apply to both minors and adults. However, some jurisdictions may have additional restrictions for minors, so it’s essential to research your local laws.
3. CaI legally own brass knuckles if they’re classified as a “paperweight” or “belt buckle”?
While some items may be marketed as “paperweights” or “belt buckles” to skirt around brass knuckle laws, using these items as weapons could still be considered illegal. Always check your local laws to determine the legality of these items.
4. What should I do if I find brass knuckles?
If you come across brass knuckles, it’s best to leave them alone and report the find to local law enforcement. Handling or possessing brass knuckles without proper knowledge of the laws could result in legal trouble.
5. Are there any alternatives to brass knuckles that are legal for self-defense?
There are various legal self-defense alternatives to brass knuckles, such as pepper spray, stun guns, and personal alarms. Be sure to research the legality of these alternatives in your jurisdiction before making a purchase.
6. Can I face federal charges for possessing or using brass knuckles?
While brass knuckle laws are primarily governed by state regulations, there are situations where federal charges could apply, such as transporting brass knuckles across state lines or using them in a crime that falls under federal jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Understanding and navigating the complex world of brass knuckle laws can be a daunting task. However, with the information provided in this article, you’ll be better equipped to stay on the right side of the law when it comes to these controversial weapons. Remember to always research your local laws, exercise caution when traveling with brass knuckles, and consider legal self-defense alternatives.
Updated 01/17/24