Brass Knuckles Legality by State

Brass knuckles are legal in Alabama, but only with a permit. In Alabama, brass knuckles are regulated to the same extent as slingshots, and anyone who unlawfully concealed carries brass knuckles can be fined between $50–500 and spend up to six months in jail.

In Alaska, brass knuckles are illegal. If one carries brass knuckles in Alaska, it is a class A misdemeanor of the fourth degree, with penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in Arizona. However, because they are considered to be a deadly weapon, as it is designed for lethal use, the presence of brass knuckles can increase fines and other penalties when present during the commission of a crime.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Arkansas. This includes the use, possession, manufacturing, repair, sale, or any other dealing and is a class A misdemeanor. The penalty for possession of brass knuckles is a fine of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail.

Brass knuckles are illegal in California. The law criminalizes the manufacturing, import, sale, or possession of brass knuckles. Those in violation of this law can be charged with either a misdemeanor, facing up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000, or a felony, up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000; whether one is charged with a felony or misdemeanor will depend on the facts of the case and the discretion of the prosecutor.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Colorado. Possession of brass knuckles is a misdemeanor and violators can face up to eighteen months in jail.

Brass knuckles are legal in Connecticut, but only with a permit. Also, it is illegal to carry concealed brass knuckles. If one is caught unlawfully carrying brass knuckles, they can face up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Brass knuckles are legal in Delaware if one has a permit. The sale or possession of brass knuckles is a class B misdemeanor in Delaware and carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,150.

Brass knuckles are legal in Florida; however, one must have a permit in order to concealed carry brass knuckles. If an individual unlawfully carries concealed brass knuckles they can be charged with a misdemeanor and carry penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and up to three years in prison.

Brass knuckles are legal in Georgia. However, one cannot carry concealed brass knuckles. The first violation of this is a misdemeanor and the second offense is a felony, punishable with imprisonment between two and five years.

Brass knuckles are legal in Hawaii, but it is unlawful to carry concealed brass knuckles. If one conceals brass knuckles on their person or in their vehicle it is a misdemeanor and one faces up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Brass knuckles are presumed legal in Idaho. The dubious nature of brass knuckles' legality is because the law does not specifically enumerate their status. However, they likely fall under Idaho's "deadly weapons" definition of a device designed to cause death or serious injury or that the carrier intends to use for violence.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Illinois. 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.

Brass knuckles are legal in Indiana, both the possession of and carrying. However, they are considered deadly weapons, so using them during the commission of a crime can lead to additional charges and punishments.

Brass knuckles are legal in Iowa. 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 $65–625.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Kansas. Carrying brass knuckles is a class A nonperson misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Brass knuckles are legal to carry in Kentucky. While one used to be required to obtain a permit to carry brass knuckles, a 2019 law allows any person over the age of twenty-one to conceal-carry weapons.

Brass knuckles are legal in Louisiana so long as the person carries a permit. Carrying brass knuckles without a permit is punished depending on the frequency of violations: the first offense carries a fine up to $500 and/or up to six months imprisonment; the second conviction carries imprisonment with or without hard labor of up to five years; and the third offense and after carries imprisonment with or without hard labor up to ten years without parole/probation.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Maine. Two sections of Maine's criminal code cover brass knuckles, so their possession can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. The misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000; the felony charge carries a penalty of up to three years and $10,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in Maryland with a permit. 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.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Massachusetts. If one unlawfully possesses brass knuckles, they can face upward of two and a half years in prison.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Michigan. Under the Michigan Penal Code, possession of brass knuckles is a felony, meaning any time to be served would be in prison, not jail. The punishment for unlawful possession of brass knuckles is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

In Minnesota, brass knuckles are illegal. The law covers the manufacturing, transfer, and possession of brass knuckles. The punishment will depend on where the person was found with brass knuckles, but the punishment ranges from ninety days to one-year imprisonment and a fine between $1,000–3,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in Mississippi if one has a permit. If one is caught concealing brass knuckles without a permit, they can be punished on a scale depending on the frequency of convictions: the first offense carries a fine between $100–500 and up to six months in jail; the second offense carries a fine between $100–500 and between thirty days and six months in jail; and for the third and subsequent convictions, a prison sentence between one and five years.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Missouri. The law bars the manufacturing, possession, repair, transportation, and sale of brass knuckles. A violation of this is a class D felony and is punishable by up to four years in prison for the first offense and up to seven years after that.

Brass knuckles are legal in Montana. However, because they fall under the state's definition of a dangerous weapon, their presence during the commission of a crime. This can lead to increased penalties, including time in prison between two and ten years.

Brass knuckles are legal in Nebraska so long as the person has a permit. If one conceals brass knuckles without a permit, they can be convicted of a class I misdemeanor and face a punishment of imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to $1,000.

Brass knuckles are illegal in New Jersey. If one illegally possesses brass knuckles, they can be convicted of a fourth-degree crime and punished by up to eighteen months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

In New Mexico, brass knuckles are legal with a permit. This means it is illegal to carry brass knuckles concealed on one's person without a permit. If one does, one can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to three years imprisonment.

Brass knuckles are illegal in New York. Unlawfully possessing brass knuckles is a class A misdemeanor. 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.

Brass knuckles are legal in North Carolina with a permit. If one unlawfully conceals brass knuckles, they may be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. A conviction for a class 2 misdemeanor can mean up to sixty days imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.

In North Dakota, brass knuckles are legal with a permit. Anyone who unlawfully conceals brass knuckles can be held guilty of a class A misdemeanor. In North Dakota, a class A misdemeanor carries penalties of up to 360 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $3,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in Ohio with a permit. There is some ambiguity, though, as a law that took effect in 2021 no longer prohibits the concealed carrying of knives, razors, and other cutting instruments; this law also legalized the sale and possession of brass knuckles, among other items.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Oklahoma. The law in Oklahoma explicitly bars people from carrying brass knuckles on their person, purse, or in any other container—concealed or unconcealed; failure to abide by this can lead to a misdemeanor conviction and face a fine between $100–250 and up to thirty days in jail for the first offense and a fine between $250–500 and between thirty days and three months in jail.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Oregon. Any person who carries concealed brass knuckles is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. A conviction of a class B misdemeanor comes with a fine of up to $2,500.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania law, brass knuckles are offensive weapons and their possession can lead to a first-degree misdemeanor conviction. The penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor is incarceration between two and five years and a fine of up to $10,000.

In Rhode Island, brass knuckles are illegal. The law makes it unlawful to carry or possess brass knuckles; to do otherwise is a misdemeanor. The penalties associated with a misdemeanor conviction include incarceration for up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in South Carolina. While carrying or possessing brass knuckles is not illegal, there are additional punishments for using brass knuckles during the commission of a crime. These additional punishments include a mandatory five-year prison sentence on top of whatever penalties the underlying crime carries.

Brass knuckles are legal in South Dakota. As part of their constitutional carry laws, brass knuckles were generally made legal as well as other forms of knives. 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.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Tennessee. Under the law, it is illegal to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell brass knuckles; to do so is a class A misdemeanor. The penalties for a class A misdemeanor include a jail sentence of up to eleven months and twenty-nine days and a fine of up to $2,500.

Brass knuckles are legal in Texas. While they used to be banned, a 2019 law legalized the possession of brass knuckles and their use in self-defense situations. Prior to this law, Texans who had brass knuckles faced a class A misdemeanor charge, punishable with up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $4,000.

Brass knuckles are legal in Utah. 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. The punishment for a class A misdemeanor includes up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.

Brass knuckles are illegal in Vermont. Under the law, one cannot use or possess brass knuckles. The penalties for violation of this are up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.

In Virginia, brass knuckles are legal with a permit. It is unlawful, though, to carry brass knuckles concealed on one's person. The first violation is a class 1 misdemeanor (punishable with up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,500), the second is a class 6 felony (one to five years in prison and $2,500) fine, and the third and subsequent violation is a class 5 felony (one to ten years in prison and $2,500 fine).

Brass knuckles are illegal in Washington. Unlawfully possessing, distributing, or manufacturing brass knuckles is a gross misdemeanor. The penalty for such is up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

In West Virginia, brass knuckles are legal with a permit. However, brandishing brass knuckles as a threat is unlawful and may lead to a misdemeanor charge. If convicted, the punishment is a fine between $50–1,000 and confinement in county jail between ninety days and one year.

Brass knuckles are legal in Wisconsin with a permit. Still, brass knuckles are considered dangerous weapons, so they cannot be on school premises. 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.

Brass knuckles are legal in Wyoming. However, as brass knuckles are considered deadly weapons, it is a misdemeanor to carry them concealed. The first offense is a misdemeanor and faces a punishment of a fine up to $750 and up to six months in jail; the second and subsequent offense is a felony and faces a fine of up to $2,000 and up to two years imprisonment.