You cannot exhibit a knife in a rude, angry, or threatening manner (except in cases of self-defense). In some states, possession of brass knuckles is a misdemeanor offense that can result in fines and up to a year in jail. Yes: Arkansas Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Arkansas Code 5-73-121. (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter269/Section10), Michigan Illegal to possess or sell under Michigan Compiled Laws 750.224a. Some local laws apply. Only concealed carry has restrictions. Dont carry a knife on school or university grounds. Theyre not necessarily deadly, but they can cause some serious damage, from broken bones to concussions. You cannot open carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife, or bowie knife with the intention of hurting somebody. There are no limits to concealed or open carry provided you do not bring a knife to school. Only firearms can be considered concealed weapons in Montana. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. All Rights Reserved, Brass Knuckles: Legal or Illegal? What follows is not legal advice. You also need to know that many localities within a state pass their own knife laws that may vary drastically from what the state law entails. You can legally be a collector of some illegal blades. (https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title18/t18ch33/sect18-3302/), Illinois Illegal to possess under Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(8). Disclaimer: We are not attorneys. Greek and Roman warriors made use of them, and the Romans are thought to be the first to do so. Possession of a butterfly knife or switchblade is a petty misdemeanor. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). (https://codes.findlaw.com/nj/title-2c-the-new-jersey-code-of-criminal-justice/nj-st-sect-2c-39-3.html), New Mexico Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under New Mexico Statutes 30-7-13. You can legally own any knife in Montana. All rights reserved. You cannot carry any knife that is a prohibited offensive weapon, and you cannot carry any knife onto school grounds or courthouse buildings. Balisongs are considered switchblades. It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, stabbing knife, stiletto, sword cane, bowie, or any knife with a blade more than 3 in length. If a knife does not fall into any of the illegal categories above, South Dakota Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. You can own, sell, or buy any knife other than ballistic knives. Dangerous weapons are restricted where alcohol is served or bingo is played. Hawaii Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Hawaii Revised Statutes 134-51. Nebraska Illegal to possess or sell under Nebraska Revised Statutes 28-1202. Section 21810 is a wobbler, It is legal to open carry any knife. illegal in every US state. It is illegal to bring weapons to a court building or the state capitol buildings as well. This carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. A minor or a convicted felon cannot own a bowie, dirk, butcher knife, or switchblade. Hunting knives are considered knives used to cut open and skin game. They are illegal to possess in some states, while others have no restrictions. Concealed weapons without a permit are illegal. (https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=78355), Maine Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. But is it legal to own and carry brass knuckles in the United States? Category 1 people commit 3rd degree felonies by possessing, arranging to purchase, or using a dangerous weapon other than a firearm. Carrying concealed is legal for most knives. Criminal Offenses 5-73-104. Legend: Arkansas: Legal: Legal: Legal: Legal: California: Legal: Legal if blade is <2" Legal if blade is <2" Legal if blade is <2" Yes: Colorado: Legal: Legal: Legal: Legal if blade is <3.5" No: The greatest restrictions are in Cane swords are illegal. However, there are some exceptions. Arkansas (https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-13a-criminal-code/al-code-sect-13a-11-20.html), Alaska Legal to possess and carry openly, but illegal to carry concealed. Does that change matters regarding knives? Switchblades with a blade over 2 long are illegal. Some states define a weapon as concealed if even a portion of it is hidden from sight such as because only one end of the knuckles is tucked into a pocket. Brass knuckles are a type of weapon designed to be worn on the hand for use in hand-to-hand combat. New Mexico Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Tennessee is not on the This means that if you use brass knuckles to commit a crime, you could face additional charges and penalties. You cannot carry a knife to any school, athletic field, recreation area, or public building owned by the state. Utah Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Alaska Legal to possess and carry openly, but illegal to carry concealed. Balisongs/butterfly knives are legal. What happens when you hit someone with brass knuckles? Ballistic knives are illegal. It is a misdemeanor to encourage or otherwise aid a minor to carry or possess such a knife on educational property. Originally used by soldiers and street fighters, brass knuckles have often been depicted as symbols of toughness and aggression. Welcome to SHTF Blog, owned and operated by Prepper Press and made possible by all of our supportive readers and wonderful writers. Brass knuckles You may also be ordered to attend anger management classes or weapons training. Charges for possession of these weapons range from a Class 1 misdemeanor for possession of a Teflon-coated bullet or spring-loaded knife to a Class I felony for possession of machine guns and a Class B felony for having a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon. Any blade larger than 2.5 carried open or concealed to school is illegal, and pocketknives are the only form legal. City laws may be different however, and there are several them. Minnesota Knife Law Disguised knives typically refer to knives that are hidden in belt buckles, pens, lipstick cases, canes, and the like. Under 21, and you can carry an ordinary hunting/pocketknife though this has not necessarily been defined. Always keep the blade pointed away from yourself and others and use caution when handling the knife. Regarding Wyoming, they are now a constitutional carry state (for firearms anyway). In still others, like Texas and Nevada, brass knuckles are illegal only if they are used to commit a crime. Arizona Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. (https://www.wyoleg.gov/Statutes/Title6/Chapter8/Article1/6-8-101.aspx). Knives that are weapons cannot be carried into court, government buildings, polling locations, nuclear power facilities, prisons, or asylums. Please read our completeDisclosures and Privacy Policyfor more information. Pennsylvania Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Arkansas, which Knives with metal knuckles such as WW1 trench knives may be illegal. martial arts). You can conceal carry a hunting knife. The curio exception in PA states that you can technically own any knife you want, but you have to make a very good argument for your purpose in owning the knife, and that can be difficult to do. It is legal to own balisongs, disguised knives, bowies, throwing stars, throwing knives, and any purpose for which a person has an explainable lawful purpose for owning. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a656c9e876c6a1c612b71a5576e93fcb" );document.getElementById("c68128d756").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres a legal divide in many states between simply possessing them and carrying them concealed on ones person. Switchblades, gravity knives, automatic/assisted opening are legal. Violators can face up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Required fields are marked *. It is legal to own dirks, daggers, stabbing knives, stilettos, bowies, disguised knives, throwing stars, or throwing knives. Someone without a permitnot so much. Machetes are legal. Double sided knives of all size are legal. 2012 It is also illegal to sell or manufacture brass knuckles. You also need to check if your municipality has certain knife restriction ordinances (Boston and Salem do). The application for the permit must have a description of the weapon that is to be carried concealed. (Source). The use of brass knuckles has been illegal in the United States since the early 20th century. You cannot conceal carry any knife with a blade longer than 3.5 in your vehicle either. course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited Theres a 2 blade limitation on school grounds or at a school function. Neither open nor concealed carry is illegal if you dont have malicious intention. Knockout Knucks: Are Brass Knuckles lllegal? What is wrong with reporter Susan Raff's arm on WFSB news. Brass knuckles are legal in the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Alabama Illegal to possess or sell under Code of Alabama 13A-11-20. Yes they are.Added: Brass knuckles are a prohibited weapon in every US jurisdiction that I am aware of. Brass knuckles can cause serious injuries, which can include broken bones, concussions and damage to a persons eyes, nose and mouth. Bringing knives to school with blades 4 or longer or swords is illegal. You cannot gift, sell, loan, or transfer an illegal knife to somebody. It is also illegal to sell or manufacture brass knuckles. Charges might be either a misdemeanor or a felony in these jurisdictions, depending on the nature of any crime in which the knuckles were used. Brass knuckles are strictly prohibited in Tennessee. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our content experts ensure our topics are complete and clearly demonstrate a depth of knowledge beyond the rote. It is illegal without a permit to conceal carry any dirk, bowie, or dagger with a blade longer than 4. It is also important to remember that even in states where brass knuckles are legal, they can still be used in self-defense, and you could still be charged with a crime if you use them to commit a crime. You can conceal carry any knife in your vehicle if the knife is not on your person. As for using the knuckles to inflict harm on someone or in the process of committing a crime, these acts are typically charged as felonies. Is it illegal to carry around brass knuckles? You should therefore be able to legally own anything. A student in Mississippi on educational property cannot possess or carry any bowie, dirk, dagger, switchblade, or automatic knife whether they open or conceal carry. (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/941/24), Wyoming Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Ohio Illegal to possess or sell under Ohio Revised Code 2923.11. WebKnives with brass knuckles are illegal. You can get in serious legal trouble for being inside one of the following locations or within 1000 feet of them (even if on a road or sidewalk) of a public housing agency, public park, courthouse, school, a public transportation agency, courthouse, any area school busses stop that is owned, leased, or contracted by the school. Folders, Swiss army knives, and kitchen knives are legal to carry provided you do not behave in a manner that makes them dangerous. If you found something wrong, or something that has changed, please let us know in the comments section below. If a cop stops you, you have to tell them you have one. Offensive weapons can include machetes or tomahawks, but other than that the law is very vague as to what an offensive weapon is, so you can just about be found doing something illegal for possessing anything out in public that could conceivably hurt someone. Instead, it is intended to be a general reference. Deadly weapons are illegal at schools or school-sponsored activities. You can own and keep all blades at home, but if you carry a stiletto, blade longer than 4, switchblade over 1.5, or automatic knife over 1.5, you are doing something illegal. Unless you do not want to end up with jail time, a hefty fine, or a ruined reputation, it pays to know the law in your home state. Balisongs, disguised knives, throwing knives, bowie knives, and other large knives are legal. It is legal to carry an automatic or spring-assisted knife unless the blade deploys out of the front of the handle. New York Illegal to possess under New York Penal Law 265.01(1). It is legal to own any type of knife. (Source 1) (Source 2) (Source 3), Balisongs, switchblades, automatic knives, dirks, daggers, stilettos, stabbing knives, bowie knives, large knives, and disguised knives are all legal. All materials contained on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, logos, and software, are the property of Self Defense Mall or its licensors and are protected by United States and international copyright laws. Tennessee Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Tennessee Code 39-17-1304. It is illegal to own a metal knuckle knife, ballistic knife, cane sword, throwing stars, or any knife adapted for use primarily as a weapon. (https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c023.php), South Dakota Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under South Dakota Codified Laws 22-14-15. I suppose this is because bad guys dont target those places, and theres zero chance you could ever need a blade in any of those locations as well. Balisongs, switchblades, automatic knives, quick release knives, bowie knives, large knives, throwing stars, throwing knives, stilettos, dirks, stabbing knives, disguised knives, spring powered ballistic knives, and pocketknives of any size are legal. Copyright 2023 Self Defense Mall. as authorized by law, he or she knowingly uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, If you are not a category 1 or 2 person, you may conceal or open carry any type of knife, regardless of its being a dangerous weapon or not. A person cannot be convicted of unlawful possession of a knife if they are using it for hunting or fishing, the knife is legal and appropriate for such activities, and the person has a valid hunting or fishing license. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-311/), Washington Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Criminal Offenses 5-73-104. Dont carry a knife to a school or jail. In Which States Are Brass Knuckles Legal? - Reference.com Self Defense Mall Local laws may apply. In the United States brass knuckles are illegal in at least (https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/166.240), Pennsylvania Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 908. Arkansas Code Title 5. Criminal Offenses 5-73-104 It is illegal to own a weapon with the purpose of using it in an unlawful manner. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? Oklahoma Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. (https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0010/section_0030/0450-0080-0010-0030.html), Nebraska Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Nebraska Revised Statutes 28-1202. Knuckles were removed from the list of prohibited items and tomahawks are just location-restricted, liked location-restricted knives. 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. Rev. However, in general, brass knuckles are considered to be a form of deadly weapon and A category 2 restricted person is someone who is a felon, has been adjudicated delinquent within the last seven years for an offense which would have qualified as a felony should the person have been an adult, is an unlawful user of a controlled substance, is in possession of a dangerous weapon knowingly and intentionally simultaneously in unlawful possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, has been found not guilty for a felony by reason of insanity, has been found not guilty of a felony by being found mentally incompetent, has been committed to a mental institution, has been adjudicated mentally unfit, has been dishonorably discharged from the military, or has renounced US citizenship after having been a US citizen. (https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t62-1.html#p9040_1), Ohio Illegal to possess or sell under Ohio Revised Code 2923.11. Doing any of this will result in a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the These items are not illegal in all states. This law is specific to brass knuckles. Some states have laws that prohibit the use of brass knuckles. Brass knuckles are illegal in the states of California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Texas. And carrying knuckles concealed without a permit escalates to a felony in Virginia for second time offenders. Today, the possession and use of brass knuckles is regulated by law in many states in the United States. (https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=571.020), Montana Legal to possess and carry, but illegal to use them in the commission of a crime. Criminal use of prohibited weapons on Westlaw, Law Firm Tests Whether It Can Sue Associate for 'Quiet Quitting', SCOTUS to Decide Constitutionality of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. When it comes to self-defense, brass knuckles are a popular choice for many people. The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Daggers and dirks are illegal to conceal carry, and the definition for what consists of a dirk is rather broad, leaving the jury to decide ones fate. Carrying them out of your house is considered concealed carrying and is illegal. No: Arkansas Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Arkansas Code 5-73-121. You cannot talk to somebody who has a restraining order against you while you carry a non-pocketknife. Kentucky Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kentucky Revised Statutes 527.020. possession of metal knuckles. Any blade with a spring-blade, snap-blade or any other knife with the appearance of a pocketknife but with a blade 2 or longer that can be released automatically may be considered a switchblade. It is illegal to conceal carry a bowie, dirk, dagger, or butcher knife. Illegally carrying brass knuckles is a misdemeanor; however, using them in a violent crime can lead to felony charges. (Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). (https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=9&sctn=8&subsctn=0), Rhode Island Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Rhode Island General Laws 11-47-42. You cannot sell dirks, daggers, and bowies to people under 18. All-Pro Bail Bonds: Are Brass Knuckles Legal? FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). You cannot carry at all into a courtroom. Educational property is school buildings, buses, campuses, recreational areas, or other property owned, used, or operated by any school board, school, college, university, or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. I found Wisconsin law confusing. Butterfly knives, dirks, daggers, stilettos, throwing knives, throwing stars, bowie knives, large knives, hidden knives, undetectable knives, switchblades, automatic knives, and gravity knives are all legal. North Carolina Unfortunately, the law does not allow you to carry knuckles (regardless of what they are made of) in a concealed manner. Deadly weapon may have an incredibly wide range of meaning, so be wary. You cannot give illegal-to-carry-concealed knives to people who you know are currently intoxicated. It is only illegal to carry a location-restricted knife to/near specific locations. Brass Knuckles: Legal or Illegal? A State-by-State Breakdown There may be local laws in Delaware as well. Open carry of any knife is legal. Carrying any type of knife into a school campus, state property, or into a courthouse is illegal. (Source 1), (Source 2). Even a weapon that is only partially concealed is considered concealed in Mississippi. KNIFE LAWS BY STATE | BLADE ADDICT Hours: M-F, 9-5 EST. Concealed carry of dirks, bowies, stilettos, switchblades, or other dangerous or deadly weapons is illegal. (Source 1) (Source 2) (Source 3) (Source 4). There are no restrictions on the type of knife that can be carried, and there are no length requirements. They are often used in fights and can result in broken bones, cuts, and even death. 38: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2019. Many brass knuckle laws were implemented in the mid- to late-1900s as these weapons became more popular, and the laws can vary considerably from state to state. GovTrack reports that the likelihood of such legislation actually passing is 2%. 14-34.3, 14-269.6, 14-288.8, 14-288.21, 14-409 (https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec1055.html), Maryland Illegal to possess or sell under Maryland Code 4-101(a)(6). (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/724.4.pdf), Kansas Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kansas Statutes 21-4001. It is legal to own bowies, balisongs, penknives, disguised knives, and any kind of hunting knife. There are a variety of laws regulating the use and possession of brass knuckles across the United States. And it doesnt necessarily stop at the state level, because some localities have brass knuckle laws all their own. However, many cities and states have made owning brass knuckles illegal, including Colorado, New You can legally open carry any type of knife. A category 1 restricted person has been convicted of a violent felony, is on probation/parole for a felony, is on parole from a facility under contract with the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, that provides 24-hour supervision and confinement for youth offenders, has been adjudicated delinquent within the last 10 years for an offense that would have been a violent felony if the person had been an adult, or is illegally in the US. Kansas Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kansas Statutes 21-4001. Being within 1000 of a school with a weapon is illegal. This carries a punishment of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. (https://kslegislature.org/li_2018/b2017_18/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_040_0000_article/021_040_0001_section/021_040_0001_k/), Kentucky Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Kentucky Revised Statutes 527.020. 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. If you are considering owning brass knuckles, it is advisable to consult with a local attorney to ensure you understand all the rights and legalities associated with this type of weapon. You can conceal carry any knife you wish as long as it is not a dirk, dagger, or similar blade. You can own any knife you want, but there are limits on what you can carry. It is legal to own balisongs, dirks, daggers, stilettos, slim knives, disguised knives, undetectable knives, throwing stars, throwing knives, bowies, large knives, switchblades, gravity knives, and automatic knives. Knives are not considered dangerous weapons, and therefore do not fall under dangerous weapon laws. (Source 1), (Source 2), (Source 3), (Source 4), (Source 5). KRS 500.080 recently overturned making concealed carrying other knives illegal. (http://www.wvlegislature.gov/wvcode/code.cfm?chap=61&art=7§=13#07), Wisconsin Illegal to possess or sell under Wisconsin Statutes 941.24. Nothing is illegal to own knife-wise. These small, handheld weapons are designed to fit over the fingers and enhance the power of punches by adding weight and force to the blow. (https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=8ae7b73f-66f7-43aa-bd94-c31cf1f9292d&nodeid=AQIBAAJ&nodepath=%2FROOT%2FAQI%2FAQIBAAJ%2FAD6%2FA6D%2FA75%2FAD5%2FA5R%2FA52&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=%C2%A7+5-73-121.+Possession+of+knuckles%3B+penalties.&config=00JAA1NTM0M2U5OS04YjRmLTRiNTQtYjg0Yy05ZmI3ZjQ2NDQ0MDgKAFBvZENhdGFsb2dOYW1lICYgU3RhdHVzSW5mbwEBXkNvbnRlbnQFAANBLVNvdXRoZXJzBQAAAQ%3D%3D#), California Illegal to possess, manufacture or sell under Penal Code 21810. Some knives, like the WWI trench knives, have a metal knuckle for a handle and are legal in other states. Its illegal to bring a deadly weapon to schools, polling places, nuclear power facilities, or hydroelectric power facilities. Weapons Universe: Brass Knuckles Information, Lindsey & Ferry: Brass Knuckles Are Not Just Made of Metal, GovTrack: H.R. However, others argue that brass knuckles are inherently aggressive and can escalate a situation rather than de-escalate it. The Oakley Youth Development Center is also considered as educational property.