Carrying brass knuckles is illegal in a majority of US states, but the law has changed significantly in recent years and the current legal picture is more complex than most people realize. Texas legalized brass knuckle possession in 2019. Several other states allow possession but restrict carry. And some states treat brass knuckles as a felony weapon regardless of how you use them.
There is no federal law prohibiting brass knuckles. Every rule comes from state statute and local ordinance, and those rules vary dramatically from state to state.
This article covers exactly which states allow brass knuckles, which ban them outright, what the penalties are, and what changed in Texas in 2019 that flipped the law entirely.
Is It Illegal to Carry Brass Knuckles
Carrying brass knuckles is illegal in a majority of US states, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor charges to felony convictions depending on the state, but it is legal in a significant number of states including Texas (since 2019), Ohio, and Nevada, among others.
There is no federal law that specifically prohibits brass knuckles. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does not regulate brass knuckles as a restricted weapon under federal firearms law. This leaves the entire legal framework to individual states, and those states have taken dramatically different approaches.
The states where brass knuckles are most clearly illegal include California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and Hawaii. In these states, possession of brass knuckles is a criminal offense regardless of whether you carry them openly, conceal them, or simply keep them at home. The distinction between possession and carry is largely irrelevant because the possession itself is the crime.
In permissive states, the legal analysis shifts to where and how you carry. Possessing brass knuckles on your own property is universally legal in permissive states. Carrying them in public may trigger concealed weapon laws even in states where possession is otherwise legal.
Quick Facts:
- No federal law prohibits brass knuckles
- Approximately 25 to 30 states ban brass knuckles outright
- Texas legalized brass knuckles in September 2019 via HB 446
- States where brass knuckles are banned treat them as a criminal weapons offense
- Local ordinances may add restrictions in permissive states
Is It Legal to Carry Brass Knuckles
Carrying brass knuckles is legal in states that have not enacted a specific prohibition, but even in permissive states, carrying brass knuckles concealed may violate concealed weapon statutes, and carrying them in restricted locations such as schools or government buildings is universally illegal.
The distinction between “possession” and “carry” matters significantly in some states. A state that has no prohibition on brass knuckle possession may still have concealed weapon laws that effectively make carrying brass knuckles in public a criminal offense. Ohio is an example: possession of brass knuckles is not specifically prohibited under Ohio law, but carrying them concealed violates Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.12.
The practical framework for evaluating legality in any state involves three questions. First, does the state have a specific brass knuckle prohibition (possession ban)? Second, if not, does the state’s concealed weapon statute cover brass knuckles? Third, does the local ordinance in your specific city or county add restrictions beyond state law?
Getting all three right is the only way to be sure you are legally carrying. A permissive state law does not protect you from a local ordinance in a restrictive city.
Legal carry framework by state category:
- States with possession ban: illegal to own, possess, or carry; criminal charge regardless
- States without possession ban, restrictive concealed carry: possession legal; carrying in public may not be
- States without possession ban, permissive carry: generally legal with location restrictions
- All states: schools, government buildings, and other restricted locations universally prohibit
What States Are Brass Knuckles Legal
Brass knuckles are legal to possess in states including Texas (since 2019), Nevada, Ohio, Montana, Wyoming, and several other states that have not enacted specific prohibition statutes, while they are illegal in states including California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey.
The legal landscape is roughly divided between states that specifically prohibit brass knuckles as a category of dangerous or prohibited weapon and states that simply never enacted such a prohibition. In the second category, brass knuckles fall into the general weapons framework, meaning they may be legal to own but carrying them in public is subject to general concealed weapon or dangerous weapon statutes.
| State | Possession Legal? | Carry Legal? | Key Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Yes (since 2019) | Open/concealed with restrictions | Texas Penal Code Ch. 46 (HB 446) |
| Nevada | Yes | Generally yes | No specific prohibition |
| Ohio | Yes | Open carry generally; concealed prohibited | ORC 2923.12 |
| Montana | Yes | Generally yes | No specific prohibition |
| California | No | No | Penal Code Section 21810 |
| New York | No | No | Penal Law Section 265.01 |
| Illinois | No | No | 720 ILCS 5/24-1 |
| Michigan | No | No | MCL 750.224 |
| New Jersey | No | No | NJ Stat. 2C:39-3 |
| Florida | Restricted | Restricted | FS 790.001 et seq. |
Key Takeaway: Brass knuckle laws are genuinely split across the country, with no uniform national rule. Texas’s 2019 legalization was a major shift. Checking your specific state’s statute is the only reliable guide.
Is It Legal to Carry Brass Knuckles in Texas
Carrying brass knuckles in Texas became legal in September 2019 when Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 446, which removed brass knuckles, clubs, and several other weapons from the list of prohibited weapons under Texas Penal Code Chapter 46.
Texas HB 446 was a significant shift in state weapons law. Before September 1, 2019, brass knuckles were prohibited weapons in Texas and possession was a Class A misdemeanor. The 2019 law removed them from the prohibited weapons list entirely, making possession and carry legal for most Texans.
The legalization is not without limits. Texas still prohibits carrying any weapon, including brass knuckles, in locations restricted under Chapter 46. These include schools, polling places, courts, racetracks, correctional facilities, hospitals, amusement parks, and establishments that derive more than 51% of their income from alcohol sales. These are the same location restrictions that apply to licensed handgun carry in Texas.
Carrying brass knuckles concealed in Texas is also subject to consideration under Texas’s general weapons framework. While there is no specific concealed carry permit for brass knuckles, carrying them in a way designed to intimidate or threaten others creates other criminal exposure under disorderly conduct or terroristic threat statutes.
Texas brass knuckles legal timeline:
- Before September 1, 2019: Possession was a Class A misdemeanor
- September 1, 2019: HB 446 signed; brass knuckles removed from prohibited list
- Current status: Legal to possess and carry with location restrictions
- Restricted locations: Schools, courts, hospitals, 51% establishments
- Penalty for carrying in restricted location: Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine)
Is It Illegal to Carry Brass Knuckles in Texas
Carrying brass knuckles in Texas is not illegal as a general matter since September 1, 2019, but it remains illegal to carry them in specific restricted locations including schools, courts, hospitals, and establishments that primarily sell alcohol, with violations carrying Class A misdemeanor penalties.
The confusion about Texas brass knuckle law is understandable. For decades, the question “is it illegal to carry brass knuckles in Texas?” had a simple answer: yes. HB 446 changed that answer, but many online sources still reflect the pre-2019 law. In 2026, the current answer is that brass knuckles are legal to carry in Texas outside of restricted locations.
The location restrictions that apply to brass knuckles in Texas are the same “location-restricted” framework that applies to other weapons under Texas Penal Code Chapter 46. These restrictions are detailed and specific. Ignorance of the location restrictions is not a defense to a charge.
Practically, most Texans who carry brass knuckles as a self-defense tool or EDC item are doing so in contexts that do not implicate these restrictions: on personal property, in their vehicles, in commercial areas that do not serve primarily alcohol. The most common restricted location encounter is attempting to carry into a bar or restaurant with a posted 51% sign.
Texas restricted locations for brass knuckles:
- Schools and school buses: Prohibited
- Courts and government buildings: Prohibited
- Hospitals and nursing homes: Prohibited
- Polling places during elections: Prohibited
- Establishments with 51% alcohol income (posted sign): Prohibited
- Amusement parks: Prohibited
- Churches or places of worship without permission: Prohibited
Is It Legal to Carry Brass Knuckles in Ohio
Brass knuckles are not specifically prohibited by Ohio state law, making possession generally legal in Ohio, but carrying brass knuckles concealed in public may violate Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.12 (Carrying Concealed Weapons), which prohibits carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
Ohio’s weapons laws focus heavily on the concealed vs. open carry distinction. Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.12 prohibits having a concealed deadly weapon “on or about the person or concealed ready at hand.” Brass knuckles fit within the definition of a deadly weapon under Ohio law.
Open carry of brass knuckles in Ohio is generally legal under state law, as there is no specific statute prohibiting it. Walking down a public street with brass knuckles visibly attached to your belt or on display is not a criminal act under Ohio state law in most circumstances.
Local ordinances in Ohio cities can create additional restrictions. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and other major Ohio cities may have municipal codes that address specific weapons beyond what state law covers. Checking local ordinances in the specific city where you plan to carry is important.
Ohio brass knuckles carry rules:
- Possession at home: Legal; no specific state prohibition
- Open carry in public: Generally legal under state law
- Concealed carry: Illegal under ORC 2923.12 (concealed deadly weapon)
- Penalty for concealed carry: First-degree misdemeanor to fourth-degree felony
- Local ordinances: Major cities may have stricter rules
Are Brass Knuckles Illegal in California
Brass knuckles are illegal in California. California Penal Code Section 21810 makes it a crime to manufacture, import, sell, give, or possess metal knuckles, and violation of this statute is a wobbler offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
California’s prohibition on brass knuckles is clear, broad, and strictly enforced. The statute uses the term “metal knuckles” and defines them as any device or instrument made wholly or partially of metal that is worn on one or more fingers and designed for striking. This covers traditional brass knuckles and most similar devices made of other metals.
Penal Code Section 21810 makes possession alone a criminal offense. Unlike states that only regulate carry, California prohibits simply owning brass knuckles. There is no exception for keeping them at home, transporting them in a locked case, or using them for decorative purposes.
The wobbler nature of the offense means prosecutors have discretion. A first-time possession charge with no aggravating circumstances may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Repeat offenders, charges combined with other offenses, or cases involving use of the knuckles as a weapon during an assault are more likely to be charged as a felony.
California brass knuckles legal facts:
- Governing statute: California Penal Code Section 21810
- Prohibited acts: Manufacture, import, sell, give, or possess metal knuckles
- Charge type: Wobbler (misdemeanor or felony at prosecutor’s discretion)
- Misdemeanor penalty: Up to 1 year in county jail
- Felony penalty: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison
- No exceptions: Home possession is equally illegal
Are Brass Knuckles Illegal in Florida
Brass knuckles are illegal in Florida. Florida Statute Section 790.001 defines “weapon” to include “metallic knuckles,” and carrying or possessing metallic knuckles in Florida without a concealed weapon license is a criminal offense, with possession by convicted felons subject to even harsher penalties.
Florida’s weapons statutes treat brass knuckles differently from states with outright possession bans. Florida incorporates metallic knuckles into its broader concealed weapon framework. Florida Statute Section 790.01 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to carry a concealed weapon without a concealed weapon license. Florida’s concealed weapon license system does cover weapons beyond firearms, so a licensed concealed weapon holder theoretically has more flexibility.
The practical reality in Florida is that carrying brass knuckles openly or concealed without a concealed weapon license is illegal. Open carry of weapons is generally prohibited in Florida under Section 790.053 regardless of what the weapon is.
The conviction of a felon in possession of any weapon, including brass knuckles, is a third-degree felony in Florida under Section 790.23, carrying up to 5 years in prison.
Florida brass knuckles legal framework:
- Definition: “Metallic knuckles” defined under FS 790.001
- Concealed carry without license: First-degree misdemeanor (FS 790.01)
- Open carry: Generally prohibited under FS 790.053
- Felon in possession: Third-degree felony; up to 5 years
- Concealed Weapon License: May provide legal basis for carry in some contexts
Are Brass Knuckles Illegal in New York
Brass knuckles are illegal in New York. New York Penal Law Section 265.01(1) specifically lists “metal knuckles” as prohibited weapons, and possessing metal knuckles in New York is a Class A misdemeanor regardless of intent, purpose, or whether they are carried in public or kept at home.
New York’s prohibition is among the clearest and most strictly enforced in the country. The statute lists specific prohibited weapons by name, and “metal knuckles” appears explicitly on that list. Unlike states that require proof of intent to use as a weapon, New York’s possession prohibition applies regardless of why you have them.
A Class A misdemeanor in New York carries a maximum of 1 year in jail. Possession of metal knuckles while committing another crime creates potential for elevated charges. Using brass knuckles to commit an assault results in assault charges enhanced by the dangerous weapon element, which can elevate a simple assault to a felony assault.
New York City has additional administrative restrictions that compound the state law prohibition. Enforcement in New York City is particularly active, and possession of brass knuckles in New York City is treated seriously by both prosecutors and courts.
New York brass knuckles legal summary:
- Governing statute: NY Penal Law Section 265.01(1)
- Specific language: “metal knuckles” explicitly listed
- Charge: Class A misdemeanor for simple possession
- Maximum penalty: 1 year jail; $1,000 fine
- Felony enhancement: When used in commission of a crime
- NYC additional rules: Stricter enforcement; no local loopholes
Are Brass Knuckles Illegal in Illinois
Brass knuckles are illegal in Illinois. Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(1) specifically prohibits possession of “any bludgeon, black-jack, slung-shot, sand-club, sandbag, metal knuckles, or other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character,” making brass knuckle possession a criminal offense under the Unlawful Use of Weapons statute.
Illinois’s Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) statute explicitly names metal knuckles as a prohibited weapon. The offense of UUW for possession of metal knuckles is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense. The charge escalates to a Class 4 felony when the possession occurs in certain locations including schools, government buildings, and public parks.
Illinois also has an Aggravated UUW statute at 720 ILCS 5/24-1.6 that applies when the person has a prior felony conviction, is under 21 and has previously been adjudicated delinquent, or is on bond for a felony offense. Aggravated UUW is a Class 4 felony as a baseline and escalates from there.
The location enhancement is significant for anyone who might think keeping brass knuckles in a bag while commuting through Chicago is safe. Passing through a school zone or entering a public park while in possession triggers the felony enhancement.
Illinois brass knuckles penalties:
| Offense | Classification | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| UUW (first offense, standard location) | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year jail, $2,500 fine |
| UUW in school zone or park | Class 4 felony | 1 to 3 years prison |
| Aggravated UUW (prior felony) | Class 4 felony minimum | 1 to 3 years prison |
| Using during assault | Enhanced assault charge | Varies; felony assault ranges |
Key Takeaway: In the most populous restrictive states (California, New York, Illinois, and Michigan), brass knuckle possession is a criminal offense regardless of whether they are carried or simply kept at home. No “I keep them as a paperweight” defense exists in these jurisdictions.
Penalty for Carrying Brass Knuckles
Penalties for carrying brass knuckles range from a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail in states like New York and Illinois (first offense in standard locations) to felony charges carrying multiple years in state prison in states like California, Michigan, and Illinois (aggravated circumstances).
The penalty range reflects how differently states classify the offense. In states with outright prohibition, the charge is weapons possession, which is often a misdemeanor for first offenses and a felony for repeat offenses or possession in restricted locations. In states where carrying is the issue rather than possession, the charge typically falls under concealed weapons statutes with misdemeanor-level penalties.
Enhanced penalties apply in virtually every state when brass knuckles are used in connection with another crime. Using brass knuckles to assault someone transforms what might be a simple assault charge into an assault with a deadly weapon or assault with a dangerous weapon charge, which is a felony in every state.
Penalty comparison by state:
| State | Charge | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Possession of metal knuckles | Wobbler | Up to 3 years prison |
| New York | Criminal possession of weapon | Class A misdemeanor | 1 year jail |
| Illinois | Unlawful Use of Weapons | Class A misdemeanor to Class 4 felony | Up to 3 years prison |
| Michigan | Possession of brass knuckles | Felony | Up to 5 years prison |
| Florida | Concealed weapon (no license) | First-degree misdemeanor | 1 year jail |
| Texas | Carry in restricted location | Class A misdemeanor | 1 year jail, $4,000 fine |
| Ohio | Concealed deadly weapon | Varies | Up to 18 months |
Is Carrying Brass Knuckles a Felony
Carrying brass knuckles is a felony in Michigan, California (when charged as a felony wobbler), and Illinois (when possession occurs in a restricted location or involves prior convictions), while in most other states it is typically a misdemeanor for a first offense.
Michigan is the clearest example of a state where brass knuckle possession is a straight felony. Michigan Compiled Laws Section 750.224 makes possession of brass knuckles a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $2,500 fine. There is no misdemeanor option for a first offense in Michigan. The moment you possess brass knuckles in Michigan, you are exposed to a felony charge.
California’s wobbler structure means the prosecutor has discretion to file a felony charge even for a first offense. Factors that typically push a California case toward felony filing include prior criminal history, possession in a school zone, possession in combination with other weapons, or possession with evidence of intent to use as a weapon.
The felony consequence is significant beyond the immediate sentence. A felony conviction permanently strips a person of the right to own or possess firearms under federal law. Someone who simply kept brass knuckles as a novelty item and received a felony conviction could lose their Second Amendment rights permanently.
Felony brass knuckle charges by state:
- Michigan: Felony as a baseline; up to 5 years
- California: Felony wobbler; up to 3 years when filed as felony
- Illinois: Felony when in school zone or with prior record
- New Jersey: Third-degree crime (felony equivalent); up to 5 years
- Florida: Felony for felon in possession; up to 5 years
- All states: Felony enhancement when used in commission of another crime
Can You Buy Brass Knuckles Legally Online
You can legally purchase brass knuckles online in states where possession is legal, but purchasing them online and having them shipped to a state where brass knuckles are prohibited does not make the transaction legal, and possession upon receipt in a prohibited state is a criminal offense.
Online retailers including Amazon, eBay (with restrictions), and specialty weapons retailers sell brass knuckles, often marketed as “paperweights,” “belt buckles,” or “novelty items.” These marketing labels do not change the legal status of the item in states where possession is prohibited. A brass knuckle is a brass knuckle regardless of what the seller calls it.
In California, New York, Illinois, and other prohibited states, buying brass knuckles online and receiving them is possession of a prohibited weapon from the moment they arrive. The fact that you ordered them from a legal state does not create a legal transaction under the receiving state’s law.
Shipping brass knuckles across state lines raises additional questions. Sellers in permissive states who knowingly ship brass knuckles to customers in prohibited states may be facilitating illegal possession, though prosecution of individual online sellers for this is not common.
Online purchase legal analysis:
- Purchase and ship to legal state: Generally legal; check local ordinances
- Purchase and ship to prohibited state (California, New York, Illinois): Illegal; possession upon receipt is the offense
- “Paperweight” labeling: No legal protection in prohibited states
- Credit card and shipping records: Documented evidence if prosecution occurs
- Amazon/eBay platform rules: Both restrict brass knuckle sales in some categories
Are Plastic Brass Knuckles Legal
Plastic brass knuckles are not automatically legal in states that ban brass knuckles, because most state statutes use broad language covering knuckle-type weapons regardless of material, though some state statutes specifically reference “metal knuckles” and may technically exempt plastic versions.
The material of the knuckle weapon affects legality in states that specifically use the term “metal knuckles” in their statutes. California Penal Code Section 21810 uses “metal knuckles” specifically. A strict reading of this statute could exempt a plastic knuckle device. However, California courts apply a functional analysis: if the device functions as a knuckle weapon, courts have been willing to apply the prohibition regardless of the material.
New York Penal Law Section 265.01 also uses the term “metal knuckles.” The same analysis applies: a strict statutory reading might exempt plastic knuckles, but prosecutorial discretion and court interpretation can extend the prohibition to functionally equivalent devices.
In states with broader “dangerous weapon” or “prohibited weapon” statutory language that does not specify material, plastic knuckles are just as prohibited as metal ones. Anyone who purchases plastic brass knuckles as a legal workaround in a prohibited state is taking a serious legal gamble on how courts and prosecutors interpret the statute.
Plastic brass knuckles legality:
- States using “metal knuckles” language: Technically may exempt plastic; enforcement varies
- States using broad “dangerous weapon” language: Plastic knuckles equally prohibited
- Court interpretation: Functional analysis often overrides material specification
- Practical risk: Prosecution risk remains high even if a technical textual argument exists
- Safe assumption: Treat plastic brass knuckles as equally regulated as metal ones
Are Brass Knuckles Legal for Self Defense
Brass knuckles are legal for self-defense in states where possession and carry are permitted, but claiming self-defense as a justification for carrying in prohibited states does not provide a defense to the possession or carry charge itself, only potentially to criminal liability for the defensive act of striking someone with them.
This distinction is important. Self-defense law in every state provides a justification for using force to protect yourself or others from imminent harm. But self-defense law does not make an otherwise prohibited weapon legal to possess or carry. You cannot argue “I needed them for self-defense” as a defense to a California possession charge.
In Texas, where brass knuckles are now legal, carrying them for self-defense is consistent with state law and the self-defense right applies fully if you are ever forced to use them. In California, carrying brass knuckles for self-defense is simultaneously illegal possession and an act that might be legally justified if you used them defensively. The possession charge stands regardless of the defensive use justification.
The self-defense right also does not cover preemptive stockpiling of prohibited weapons “just in case.” Courts do not accept “I had these brass knuckles at home for self-defense” as a defense to a possession charge in prohibited states.
Self-defense and brass knuckles:
- Permissive state (Texas, Ohio): Legal to carry; self-defense use covered by state law
- Prohibited state (California, New York): Illegal to possess; self-defense does not cure possession charge
- Use in genuine defense situation: May justify the strike; does not retroactively legalize possession
- Duty to retreat: Some states require retreating if possible before using deadly force
Are Brass Knuckles Considered a Deadly Weapon
Brass knuckles are considered a deadly weapon in most US states, and courts across the country have consistently held that brass knuckles qualify as deadly weapons because they are capable of causing death or serious bodily injury when used as designed.
The deadly weapon classification has significant legal consequences beyond the weapons possession charge itself. When brass knuckles are used in an assault, the deadly weapon classification elevates the assault charge. Simple battery becomes assault with a deadly weapon or felonious assault, which is a felony in virtually every state. This elevation dramatically increases the potential sentence.
California courts have explicitly held that brass knuckles are deadly weapons per se, meaning they are categorically classified as deadly weapons without requiring proof that they were used in a way likely to cause death in a specific incident. Other states apply a case-by-case analysis based on how the weapon was used, but brass knuckles consistently qualify under either approach.
The deadly weapon classification also affects self-defense analysis. Using a deadly weapon in self-defense is justified only when the threat faced was also deadly force. Someone who uses brass knuckles against an unarmed attacker may face challenges arguing proportionality if the attacker was not also threatening deadly force.
Deadly weapon classification consequences:
- Simple assault with brass knuckles: Elevated to assault with deadly weapon (felony in all states)
- Sentencing enhancement: Deadly weapon use adds years to sentences in most states
- Self-defense proportionality: Use of deadly weapon justified only against deadly force threat
- California per se classification: No individual case analysis required; automatically deadly weapon
- Most states: Courts routinely hold brass knuckles qualify as deadly weapons
Frequently Asked Questions
Are brass knuckles illegal in all 50 states?
No, brass knuckles are not illegal in all 50 states.
Texas legalized brass knuckle possession in 2019, and states including Nevada, Ohio, Montana, and others have no specific prohibition on brass knuckle possession.
Approximately 25 to 30 states ban brass knuckles outright, while the remaining states allow possession with varying restrictions on carry and location.
Is carrying brass knuckles a felony or misdemeanor?
Whether carrying brass knuckles is a felony or misdemeanor depends on the state.
Michigan makes brass knuckle possession a straight felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
California treats it as a wobbler that can be filed as either, while New York and Illinois treat first-offense possession as a Class A misdemeanor that escalates to a felony in aggravated circumstances.
Can you legally buy brass knuckles online in the US?
You can legally purchase brass knuckles online and receive them in states where possession is legal.
Purchasing brass knuckles online and having them shipped to a state where they are prohibited is illegal; possession upon receipt in the prohibited state is a criminal offense regardless of where the purchase was made.
Marketing brass knuckles as “paperweights” or “novelty items” does not change the legal status of the item in states where possession is prohibited.
Are plastic brass knuckles legal where metal ones are banned?
Plastic brass knuckles may technically avoid liability in states that specifically use the term “metal knuckles” in their statutes, such as California and New York, but this is a risky legal argument that courts applying a functional analysis may reject.
States with broader “dangerous weapon” language prohibit plastic knuckles equally.
The safer assumption in any prohibited state is that plastic brass knuckles carry the same legal risk as metal ones.
Can you carry brass knuckles for self-defense legally?
You can carry brass knuckles for self-defense in states where possession and carry are legal, such as Texas (since 2019) and Nevada.
In states where brass knuckles are prohibited, claiming self-defense as a justification does not provide a defense to the possession charge itself.
Even where carry is legal, using brass knuckles defensively must meet the proportionality standard for deadly force justification, since courts classify brass knuckles as deadly weapons.
Closing
Brass knuckle laws are among the most state-dependent weapons rules in the US, with Texas’s 2019 flip from prohibition to legality being the single most significant recent change. The majority of states still ban them entirely, and in several of those states, possession alone is a felony.
Bookmark this article and share it with anyone who carries or is thinking about carrying brass knuckles. The legal difference between Texas and California on this issue is the difference between a legal carry and a felony charge.
