By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. However, it is important to remember that brass knuckles are not a toy and should be used only as a last resort. Using the brass knuckles to injure another person is a criminal act and one cannot carry brass knuckles in schools or hospitals. Oklahoma has no law "restricting" the use of "pepper spray" by ANY person- with the exception that it cannot be possessed by a person under 21 in a "public or private primary or secondary school" without the written consent of the principal of the school, and . Indiana In Indiana, brass knuckles are legal to own and carry. K.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit a retired justice or judge of the supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, parish courts, juvenile courts, family courts, and city courts from possessing and concealing a handgun on their person provided that such retired justice or judge is certified by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and has on their person valid identification showing proof of their status as a retired justice or judge. Brass Knucklesare illegal in most US States. 1017, 1; Acts 1993, No. Based on the leadership principles of George Washington, we provide citizens, voters, and elected officials with the information, insights, and tools that amplify democracy in the modern age. 143, 1; Acts 1995, No. Keep them out of reach of children, and never use them under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Is it illegal to carry around brass knuckles? Brass knuckles are legal in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Beverly Bird is a practicing paralegal who has been writing professionally on legal subjects for over 30 years. There are other states, such as South Carolina which only have brass knuckles labeled illegal if they are used with an intent to commit a crime. If one unlawfully conceals brass knuckles, they may be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. 14:95.1. Your email address will not be published. This can lead to increased penalties, including time in prison between two and ten years. Under 21 it is illegal to conceal a non-pocket knife. Brass Knuckle Laws Q & A Additional information Heavy Metal Knuckles Metallic Knuckles are also referred to as brass knuckles, knuckles dusters, or simply knuckles. (3)(a) The provisions of this Section except Paragraph (4) of Subsection A shall not apply to active or retired reserve or auxiliary law enforcement officers qualified annually by the Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training and who have on their person valid identification as active or retired reserve law or auxiliary municipal police officers. Theyre hardened knuckles that go over your own fingers like a set of rings that is welded together. By FindLaw Staff | The penalties for violation of this are up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000. To provide women safety keychains and safety products so that they can always be guarded when its needed. 924, 1; Acts 1999, No. They are illegal to possess in some states, while others have no restrictions. However, one cannot carry concealed brass knuckles. Brass Knuckles and the Law Views on this weapon differ from one state to the next. Almost everyone knows what brass knuckles are, and theyre also called knuckle dusters and knucks. Its a misdemeanor to simply possess brass knuckles in Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Vermont whether theyre concealed or not, and to sell or carry them in New Hampshire. It is up to the courts to determine if your brass knuckles qualify as a weapon on a case by case basis. 766, 1; Acts 2006, No. It is important to know the law in your state before carrying brass knuckles. Media and video games frequently feature criminals using brass knuckles, glamorizing them to some extent. This includes selling, brandishing, exhibiting, repairing, manufacturing, and possessing brass knuckles. 636, 1; Acts 1993, No. Wyoming, 1. Brass knuckles are legal in Utah. Brass knuckles are legal in Arizona. In Alabama, brass knuckles are regulated to the same extent as slingshots, and anyone who unlawfully concealed carries brass knuckles can be fined between $50500 and spend up to six months in jail. They are illegal to possess in some states, while others have no restrictions. Brass knuckles are illegal in Kansas. Brass knuckles are illegal in Maine. Its just six months in prison in Massachusetts, Nevada and New Hampshire, but fines can go as high as $2,000. It is illegal, though, to conceal carry brass knuckles; doing so is a misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to three years imprisonment and a fine up to $1,000. Alabama's Firearms and Weapons Law 13A-11-53 Brass knuckles and slingshots. The first offense is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 and the second and subsequent offenses are class I felonies where one could face up to three-and-one-half years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Utah law does not specifically state whether brass knuckles are legal or not. "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, or vo-tech school in this state and "campus" means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property. Also called "knuckle dusters" and "knucks," brass knuckles were often attached to knives used in trench warfare in World War I and World War II. For example, in Colorado, brass knuckles are legal, but they are considered a concealed weapon and must be carried in accordance with state law. Amended by Acts 1956, No. Unlawful possession of brass knuckles in Illinois is a misdemeanor and carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. In Minnesota, brass knuckles are strictly prohibited. Please try again. Brass knuckles, also known as knuckle dusters, are hand-held weapons made of brass or other metal that have finger holes designed to fit over the users fingers. The seventeen states where brass knuckles are legal with a permit are Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Privacy Policy. 953, 1; Acts 2003, No. Simply possessing brass knuckles is a felony in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Missouri, regardless of what an individual does with them even if they're just wearing the knucks as a belt buckle ornament. Those states are 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. Some states only ban metallic knuckles, while others ban hardened knuckles of any kind. and our 930, 1; Acts 1995, No. Failure to adhere to this law will result in a misdemeanor and lead to a fine of up to $1000 and up to three years of imprisonment. Firms, Complaint For Loss Due To Product Defect and For Discovery, What it means to be charged with violating your state's brass knuckle law, including elements of the crime, potential defenses, and negotiating any possible plea deal, If you or a loved one has been the victim of brass knuckle violence, whether you can recover damages from the assailants, their employers, or a third party that may have had a duty to prevent brass weapons from being used. The law made it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute brass knuckles. Under Pennsylvania law, brass knuckles are offensive weapons and their possession can lead to a first-degree misdemeanor conviction. Arizona 2. Brass knuckles are not illegal in Florida, but you must have a license or permit to carry a concealed weapon if you wish to carry them hidden or concealed. If you are found with brass knuckles in any of these five states, you may be subject to fines or imprisonment. 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. 172, 1; Acts 2011, No. Sess., No. These additional punishments include a mandatory five-year prison sentence on top of whatever penalties the underlying crime carries. In North Dakota, a class A misdemeanor carries penalties of up to 360 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $3,000. In Hawaii, Brass knuckles are legal to sell and possess but cannot be carried or stored in ones vehicle. Brass knuckles are legal in Wisconsin with a permit. However, because brass knuckles are a dangerous weapon in South Dakota, concealment of brass knuckles with the intent to commit a felony is a class 5 felony and carries a punishment of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. It is illegal to not inform a police officer who stops you that you are carrying a concealed knife that is not a pocketknife. Those states are Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Disclaimer:The above laws reflect the best information we have at this time and may or may not be complete. (1) Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Third, brass knuckles can cause serious injury. Brass knuckles are illegal in California. Among some other weapons, Brass knuckles may be possessed by on-duty military personnel, sheriffs, prison wardens, police officers, and some other select professions. You will not often get away with a technicality just because the knuckles you buy arent brass. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Washington. Brass knuckles are legal to own in Nebraska; however, they are illegal to carry concealed unless the individual has a license or permit to do so. Stay up to date on the latest news and events. This includes both metal and plastic knuckles. No blade of a rescue knife shall exceed five inches in length. Florida 5. 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. Thank you in advance! 844, 1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 Other previous versions. In California and Florid they are completely illegal. While carrying or possessing brass knuckles is not illegal, there are additional punishments for using brass knuckles during the commission of a crime. This means that you are taking on the risk when youre buying and carrying brass knuckles. Congress has been kicking around legislation since 2015 that would make it legal for residents of one state to carry concealed weapons in other states if they have permits in their home states, but the federal government hasnt yet gotten officially involved in the issue. Follow your state's brass knuckle laws. A 2015 court case, though, interpreted Iowa's dangerous weapons law to include brass knuckles, so the use of them during the commission of a crime would elevate the charges to an aggravated misdemeanor and can carry a punishment of up to two years in jail and a fine between $65625. Still, brass knuckles are considered dangerous weapons, so they cannot be on school premises. However, there are some things you need to know before you use brass knuckles for self defense. The first use of this type of weapon can be traced back to the gladiators who designed their gloves to increase their striking power. Ohio 14. Brass knuckles are not illegal in New Mexico; however, it is illegal to carry them hidden or concealed unless you have a license or permit to carry concealed weapons. E. If the offender uses, possesses, or has under his immediate control any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, while committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence or while in the possession of or during the sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, the offender shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than ten years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. They should also look into the laws in any states theyre considering traveling to with their knuckles in tow. C. On a second conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years.