Brass knuckles are typically treated like other weapons such as knives and firearms in other countries. Media and video games frequently feature criminals using brass knuckles, glamorizing them to some extent. 143, 1; Acts 1995, No. Almost everyone knows what brass knuckles are, and theyre also called knuckle dusters and knucks. 46804. If one unlawfully conceals brass knuckles, they may be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. Texas passed some new laws in September, one of which now permits the possession of brass knuckles for self-defense in the event of an emergency. I've been wanting to make a pair of knuckle dusters out of some spare wood I have lying around. Illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities LSA-R.S. HOME; ABOUT US. 1. Carrying or owning brass knuckles is illegal in Illinois, and using brass knuckles to injure is a felony charge. Brass knuckles can typically be purchased at markets or from companies that make belt buckles and other metal goods (where legal). North Carolina 12. The penalty for such is up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Please ensure you get to know the laws in the state you reside. The application process can take several days or weeks to complete depending on the jurisdiction, and sometimes fingerprinting and background checks are conducted before approval. The law in Oklahoma explicitly bars people from carrying brass knuckles on their person, purse, or in any other containerconcealed or unconcealed; failure to abide by this can lead to a misdemeanor conviction and face a fine between $100250 and up to thirty days in jail for the first offense and a fine between $250500 and between thirty days and three months in jail. Pennsylvania 18. There are a variety of laws regulating the use and possession of brass knuckles across the United States. Indiana 6. Louisiana 7. 611, 1; Acts 1997, No. In California and Florid they are completely illegal. Many states have it written as metallic knuckles or just metal knuckles. Ohios law state that the use and possession of a deadly weapon are illegal, but brass knuckles are not specifically mentioned. Brass knuckles fall under that category. Failure to adhere to this law results in a misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and up to one year in prison. Assaulting a person with them intentionally is illegal, and serious legal consequences will follow. They arent explicitly illegal, however, Louisiana requires a permit to carry concealed weapons but there is no specific law relating directly to brass knuckles. Knockout Knucks: Are Brass Knuckles lllegal? Iowa 7. However, using them can still result in a felony charge. In Alaska, brass knuckles are illegal. Delaware 4. You'd need your CC. The use of brass knuckles can still result in a felony charge. Under 21 it is illegal to conceal a non-pocket knife. Construction law Advice Are brass knuckles legal in Louisiana? Arizona 2. 14:2(B), shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than two years, or both. Brass knuckles are legal in Alabama, but only with a permit. They are completely illegal in some states for example, you cannot sell, possess or use brass knuckles in Illinois, Vermont, California or Michigan. Copyright 2022, IsaLegal - All Rights Reserved. Brass knuckles of any type and material are prohibited in Illinois. Still other states base their laws on how and why brass knuckles are being carried or used, and some determine whether theyre legal or not based on whether the individual in possession of the weapon is a minor. Manufacture, sale, or possession of brass knuckles are felony charges that lead to a fine of up to $2500 and imprisonment of up to five years. (iii) Any person having the written permission of the principal or school board and engaged in competition or in marksmanship or safety instruction. In addition, they are often associated with criminal activities such as gang fights or robberies. Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington. Brass knuckles are illegal in New York. If you are considering purchasing brass knuckles, it is important to research the laws in your state to make sure you are in compliance with the law. In most cases, possession of brass knuckles is only a misdemeanor. If you are charged with possession of brass knuckles or arethe victim of a brass knuckle-related crime, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. Note:Illegal to carry them concealed without a license and/or permit. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. This law is specific to brass knuckles. Views on this weapon differ from one state to the next. Still, brass knuckles fall under Utah's law barring the threat or use of dangerous weapons in a fight and is a class A misdemeanor. Brass knuckles, however, can be considered a deadly weapon, so one should use caution. Legal Status for Brass Knuckles in Pennsylvania, Laws Against Throwing Knives in California, World Population Review: Brass Knuckles Legality by State 2020, Krudo Knives: The Law Around Brass Knuckles. Are brass knuckles legal? Connecticut, Delware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin. She specializes in family law and estate law and has mediated family custody issues. Business owners have the right to prohibit weapons inside their business regardless of whether an individual has a permit or not. Brass knuckles are legal in Montana. Certain states will only ban metallic knuckles, but there are other states that will ban hardened knuckles of any kind no matter what type of material is used to make them. Failure to adhere to this law will result in a misdemeanor. You could be sentenced to prison, probation, or a fine. These provisions shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies and state and city police who are not actually discharging their official duties, provided that such persons are full time, active, and certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and have on their persons valid identification as duly commissioned law enforcement officers. F. The enhanced penalty upon second, third, and subsequent convictions shall not be applicable in cases where more than five years have elapsed since the expiration of the maximum sentence, or sentences, of the previous conviction or convictions, and the time of the commission of the last offense for which he has been convicted; the sentence to be imposed in such event shall be the same as may be imposed upon a first conviction. If convicted, one can face a jail sentence of at least fifteen days, but no more than 364 days, and a fine of up to $1,000. They are considered a weapon and can be charged with a felony. Unless in accordance with the Oklahoma Self Defense Act, it is illegal to carry an offensive weapon, including brass knuckles. Please try again. Brass knuckles are not illegal in Oregon; however, it is illegal to carry them hidden or concealed. Brass knuckles are illegal in Vermont. In South DAmato, Indiana, Louisiana, Arizona, Idaho, Ohio, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Iowa, Utah, Michigan, and Montana, the law is unclear. California 4. Of these twenty nine states where brass knuckles are legal, the twelve states where brass knuckles are legal without a permit are Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Brass knuckles are legal in Wisconsin with a permit. Legal Brass Knuckles 1. 17:1805 and who is carrying a concealed handgun in accordance with the provisions of that statute. It is illegal to not inform a police officer who stops you that you are carrying a concealed knife that is not a pocketknife. illegal to carry them hidden or concealed. H. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit active justices or judges of the supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, parish courts, juvenile courts, family courts, city courts, federal courts domiciled in the state of Louisiana, and traffic courts, constables, coroners, district attorneys and designated assistant district attorneys, United States attorneys and assistant United States attorneys and investigators, and justices of the peace from possessing and concealing a handgun on their person when the justice or judge, constable, coroner, district attorneys and designated assistant district attorneys, United States attorneys and assistant United States attorneys and investigators, or justices of the peace are certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit the sale of rescue knives to commissioned full-time law enforcement officers. Idaho 5. The states where brass knuckles are legal are Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Amended by Acts 1956, No. Under Pennsylvania law, brass knuckles are offensive weapons and their possession can lead to a first-degree misdemeanor conviction. Under the Michigan Penal Code, possession of brass knuckles is a felony, meaning any time to be served would be in prison, not jail. (b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to: (i) A peace officer as defined by R.S. Brass knuckles are illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Several states have also passed laws banning brass knuckles. As used in this Subsection, a "rescue knife" is a folding knife, which can be readily and easily opened with one hand and which has at least one blade which is designed to be used to free individuals who are trapped by automobile seat belts, or at least one blade which is designed for a similar purpose. When they hit someone, they can cause serious injuries, including broken bones. B. The dubious nature of brass knuckles' legality is because the law does not specifically enumerate their status. The law in Idaho does not specifically state whether brass knuckles are legal or not. (b) For the purposes of this Paragraph, a reserve or auxiliary municipal police officer shall be defined as a volunteer, non-regular, sworn member of a law enforcement agency who serves with or without compensation and has regular police powers while functioning as such agency's representative, and who participates on a regular basis in agency activities including, but not limited to those pertaining to crime prevention or control, and the preservation of the peace and enforcement of the law. There are 17 states that require a permit for brass knuckles. In Colorado, penalties can involve fines of $1,000 and as long as a year in prison. Privacy Policy. These states include: Brass knuckles are illegal in certain states, including: States laws that fall into a gray area include: The legality of brass knuckles is obviously a complicated issue that can depend on numerous factors, such as on which side of a state line someone is standing and what exactly the knuckles are being used for.