Brass Knuckles Legality By State

United States
Brass Knuckles Legality
Self Defense Law
Open Carry Legality
Brass Knuckles Legality 2023Question Mark
Map visualization
Illegal
Legal
Permit Required
AlabamaAlabama
Permit Required
AlaskaAlaska
Illegal
ArizonaArizona
Legal
ArkansasArkansas
Illegal
CaliforniaCalifornia
Illegal
ColoradoColorado
Illegal
ConnecticutConnecticut
Illegal
DelawareDelaware
Illegal
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia
Illegal
FloridaFlorida
Permit Required
GeorgiaGeorgia
Legal
HawaiiHawaii
Legal
IdahoIdaho
Legal
IllinoisIllinois
Illegal
IndianaIndiana
Legal
IowaIowa
Illegal
KansasKansas
Illegal
KentuckyKentucky
Legal
LouisianaLouisiana
Permit Required
MaineMaine
Illegal
MarylandMaryland
Permit Required
MassachusettsMassachusetts
Illegal
MichiganMichigan
Illegal
MinnesotaMinnesota
Illegal
MississippiMississippi
Permit Required
MissouriMissouri
Legal
MontanaMontana
Legal
NebraskaNebraska
Permit Required
NevadaNevada
Illegal
New HampshireNew Hampshire
Illegal
New JerseyNew Jersey
Illegal
New MexicoNew Mexico
Permit Required
New YorkNew York
Illegal
North CarolinaNorth Carolina
Permit Required
North DakotaNorth Dakota
Permit Required
OhioOhio
Legal
OklahomaOklahoma
Illegal
OregonOregon
Permit Required
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Illegal
Rhode IslandRhode Island
Illegal
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
Legal
South DakotaSouth Dakota
Legal
TennesseeTennessee
Illegal
TexasTexas
Legal
UtahUtah
Legal
VermontVermont
Illegal
VirginiaVirginia
Illegal
WashingtonWashington
Illegal
West VirginiaWest Virginia
Permit Required
WisconsinWisconsin
Permit Required
WyomingWyoming
Legal
Brass Knuckles Legality By State
Share

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↕
TexasLegal
HawaiiLegal
MissouriLegal
DelawareIllegal
New YorkIllegal
New JerseyIllegal
MississippiPermit Required
WyomingLegal
AlabamaPermit Required
OklahomaIllegal
VirginiaIllegal
WashingtonIllegal
NebraskaPermit Required
South DakotaLegal
UtahLegal
NevadaIllegal
IndianaLegal
MaineIllegal
MarylandPermit Required
MinnesotaIllegal
KansasIllegal
AlaskaIllegal
PennsylvaniaIllegal
TennesseeIllegal
FloridaPermit Required
South CarolinaLegal
ColoradoIllegal
LouisianaPermit Required
OregonPermit Required
MassachusettsIllegal
District of ColumbiaIllegal
IowaIllegal
MontanaLegal
Rhode IslandIllegal
North DakotaPermit Required
KentuckyLegal
VermontIllegal
North CarolinaPermit Required
ArizonaLegal
ConnecticutIllegal
IllinoisIllegal
OhioLegal
ArkansasIllegal
MichiganIllegal
West VirginiaPermit Required
New MexicoPermit Required
GeorgiaLegal
New HampshireIllegal
WisconsinPermit Required
CaliforniaIllegal
IdahoLegal

Sources & Notes

Brass Knuckles Legality

Legal status of brass knuckles possession and use.

Self Defense Law

Legal status and regulations governing the right to use force for self-protection.

Keep reading

Additional Rankings

Open Carry States
Legality
States

Open Carry States

Castle Doctrine States
Legality
States

Castle Doctrine States

Mutual Combat States
Legality
States

Mutual Combat States

Pet Fox Legal States
Legality
States

Pet Fox Legal States

Gambling Age by State
Legality
States

Gambling Age by State

Squatters Rights by State
Legality
States

Squatters Rights by State