Brass Knuckles Legality By State
United States
—Brass Knuckles Legality
—Self Defense Law
—Open Carry Legality
Brass Knuckles Legality 2023

Illegal
Legal
Permit Required
Last updated February 28, 2026
Introduction
Brass knuckles, those formidable pieces of metal engineered to fit around the knuckles, have been used in hand-to-hand combat for centuries. While many countries worldwide have outright banned their possession and use, the United States lacks a federal regulation. This has resulted in diverse policies across states, with some permitting ownership and others banning them outright.
- There's a distinct divide concerning brass knuckle legality across the U.S, with states either labeling them as 'Legal', 'Illegal', or 'With Permit'.
- No state ranks dominantly over others in terms of legality, indicating a lack of uniform consensus on the issue nationwide.
- Interestingly, a number of states opt for a middle ground, allowing ownership 'With Permit'. This includes prominent states such as North Dakota, Alabama, and North Carolina.
- Of all fifty states, the majority lean towards 'With Permit' status, indicating a tendency for regulation over a complete ban or unrestricted legality.
All Metrics
| Region ↕ | Brass Knuckles Legality 2023↕ | Self Defense Law 2025↕ | Open Carry Legality↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Legal | ||
| Hawaii | Legal | ||
| Missouri | Legal | ||
| Delaware | Illegal | ||
| New York | Illegal | ||
| New Jersey | Illegal | ||
| Mississippi | Permit Required | ||
| Wyoming | Legal | ||
| Alabama | Permit Required | ||
| Oklahoma | Illegal | ||
| Virginia | Illegal | ||
| Washington | Illegal | ||
| Nebraska | Permit Required | ||
| South Dakota | Legal | ||
| Utah | Legal | ||
| Nevada | Illegal | ||
| Indiana | Legal | ||
| Maine | Illegal | ||
| Maryland | Permit Required | ||
| Minnesota | Illegal | ||
| Kansas | Illegal | ||
| Alaska | Illegal | ||
| Pennsylvania | Illegal | ||
| Tennessee | Illegal | ||
| Florida | Permit Required | ||
| South Carolina | Legal | ||
| Colorado | Illegal | ||
| Louisiana | Permit Required | ||
| Oregon | Permit Required | ||
| Massachusetts | Illegal | ||
| District of Columbia | Illegal | ||
| Iowa | Illegal | ||
| Montana | Legal | ||
| Rhode Island | Illegal | ||
| North Dakota | Permit Required | ||
| Kentucky | Legal | ||
| Vermont | Illegal | ||
| North Carolina | Permit Required | ||
| Arizona | Legal | ||
| Connecticut | Illegal | ||
| Illinois | Illegal | ||
| Ohio | Legal | ||
| Arkansas | Illegal | ||
| Michigan | Illegal | ||
| West Virginia | Permit Required | ||
| New Mexico | Permit Required | ||
| Georgia | Legal | ||
| New Hampshire | Illegal | ||
| Wisconsin | Permit Required | ||
| California | Illegal | ||
| Idaho | Legal |
Sources & Notes
Brass Knuckles Legality
Legal status of brass knuckles possession and use.
Are Brass Knuckles Illegal? A State By State Breakdown in 2023 December 14, 2023
Self Defense Law
Legal status and regulations governing the right to use force for self-protection.
Castle doctrine September 22, 2025
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