I know that many companies will market brass knuckles as "novelty paperweights" but if used for their intended purpose (with justifiable cause, of course) are they considered in the same way as something like a collapsible baton would be? i.e. a concealable weapon.
Brass Knuckles Illegal?
- Thread starter snipe300
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Dr. Snubnose
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It's intended purpose is to hold down papers...use it like that...you shouldn't have a problem....:banghead
oc
ocI have a pair of brass knuckles that were made for me, they needed various measurements to make sure they'd be comfortable and not break my hand/fingers when in use. Solid brass, cast and then machined to spec.
Fun things, but overall, a toy. Worth the ~$35 I paid, though.
Yes. They're a weapon, in most states (even here in Colorado, they're a weapon and are sort of "gray area" legally)
Fun things, but overall, a toy. Worth the ~$35 I paid, though.
Yes. They're a weapon, in most states (even here in Colorado, they're a weapon and are sort of "gray area" legally)
Possession of Knuckles in New York State
In New York State, possession of brass or metal knuckles is illegal. I believe the law was recently changed to include knuckles made with synthetic materials. Even if used as a paperweight, they're still knuckles as defined in the penal law.
In New York State, possession of brass or metal knuckles is illegal. I believe the law was recently changed to include knuckles made with synthetic materials. Even if used as a paperweight, they're still knuckles as defined in the penal law.
Funderb
Member
they make a neat looking belt buckle.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Even if legal, their use would be questionable, as you would almost certainly be seen as an aggressor looking for trouble.
KevinAbbeyTech
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Here in Oklahoma, you can buy them at most "toy stores" such as army surplus and such.
If possession is illegal, they don't enforce that law, though they will probably start enforcing some of the more arbitrary laws as times get tougher.
I wouldn't want to risk using them in a fight, because your possession makes you look suspiciously prepared.
I would use a more accurate and powerful weapon anyway.
Look into a kubaton.
If possession is illegal, they don't enforce that law, though they will probably start enforcing some of the more arbitrary laws as times get tougher.
I wouldn't want to risk using them in a fight, because your possession makes you look suspiciously prepared.
I would use a more accurate and powerful weapon anyway.
Look into a kubaton.
leadcounsel
member
They are a mere novelty item, and a dangerous one at that.
1) They are illegal in every state I've ever lived in or visited to my knowledge. In most states, as others said, mere possession is illegal. I suppose you'd be fine if you simply owned them and used them as a paperweight... but that's a risk
2) I don't know of a single state where they are legal to carry. Even if you validly defended yourself with them, you would almost certainly be charged with possessing and carrying a deadly weapon unlawfully. And I suppose you could be sued in civil court if you really hurt someone, even if you were defending yourself, because you used an illegal weapon.
3) Even you could carry them, why would you? They automatically elevate the fight to "deadly weapon" and that means that assuming you weren't the aggressor, the other person may be able to use a deadly weapon in self defense. The tables turn and now you are the aggressor with a deadly weapon (and a poor choice at that)!
1) They are illegal in every state I've ever lived in or visited to my knowledge. In most states, as others said, mere possession is illegal. I suppose you'd be fine if you simply owned them and used them as a paperweight... but that's a risk
2) I don't know of a single state where they are legal to carry. Even if you validly defended yourself with them, you would almost certainly be charged with possessing and carrying a deadly weapon unlawfully. And I suppose you could be sued in civil court if you really hurt someone, even if you were defending yourself, because you used an illegal weapon.
3) Even you could carry them, why would you? They automatically elevate the fight to "deadly weapon" and that means that assuming you weren't the aggressor, the other person may be able to use a deadly weapon in self defense. The tables turn and now you are the aggressor with a deadly weapon (and a poor choice at that)!
icebones
Member
Im pretty shure every set of brass knuckles Ive ever seen were sold as "paper weights"
try a roll of nickles. but im almost certain that would be just as illegal too.
try a roll of nickles. but im almost certain that would be just as illegal too.
Jenrick
Member
Knuckles are in Texas at least a prohibited weapon, just like say a zip gun, acid sprayer or home made flame thrower. Carrying them in public is a crime, having them as a "paperweight" however with box, papers held down etc. gets around that.
They are not regulated on the federal level, only at the state level. So check you're state laws, there might be a way, or it may not even be legal to keep at the house.
-Jenrick
They are not regulated on the federal level, only at the state level. So check you're state laws, there might be a way, or it may not even be legal to keep at the house.
-Jenrick
Macmac
Member
I don't know.. So far as I know any weapon is just any weapon. Only a fool would use something other than a gun in SD... I always carry a gun, so I always have atleast 1 gun.
I am too old and grumpy to get into fights where i don't need a gun. The gun always ends the fight right now.
So if say you and I don't really mean you pulled out kucks and or a big knife I'ld just shoot you, and you would be 'stopped'.
i see knucks as something you carry to just look for an exucse to get into a fight. I my days boys showed up at parties with their hands wrapped in tape and you knew they were looking for a fight.
Maybe a pocket knife is a weapon for SD, if it isn't a double edge weapon out right. Maybe my bowie if I were camping alone or with my wife could be a SD weapon, but I don't yse that as everyday carry, so be in town I would be looking for a fight.
I don't go looking for a fight, so I carry a gun.. The gun ends all fights.
I am too old and grumpy to get into fights where i don't need a gun. The gun always ends the fight right now.
So if say you and I don't really mean you pulled out kucks and or a big knife I'ld just shoot you, and you would be 'stopped'.
i see knucks as something you carry to just look for an exucse to get into a fight. I my days boys showed up at parties with their hands wrapped in tape and you knew they were looking for a fight.
Maybe a pocket knife is a weapon for SD, if it isn't a double edge weapon out right. Maybe my bowie if I were camping alone or with my wife could be a SD weapon, but I don't yse that as everyday carry, so be in town I would be looking for a fight.
I don't go looking for a fight, so I carry a gun.. The gun ends all fights.
lanternlad1
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I carry a gun to end fights but I'd rather they not be started in the first place.
So I carry a cane.
This one, actually:
http://www.coldsteel.com/citystick.html
(I have the pistol grip one)
Now, I have a real knee condition that necessitates my using a cane, but I'd still carry it even if I didn't.
The cane is quite visible. The sight of it, and my willingness to use it, stops most fights before they start. I recently chased a man out of my yard who was quite obviously casing my property. He was bigger and in better shape than I was, but he left in a hurry, calling me all sorts of names as he went - and never stopped looking at my cane. (Most bullies and thugs talk a lot when they're routed) I had my gun on me, but never needed it. Teddy Roosevelt was right. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Better IMO than knuckles.
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Duke of Doubt
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The U.S. M1918 Trench Knife features, among other things, "brass knuckles" intended, originally, not as weapons themselves but as aides to excavation. Brass knuckles are illegal around here, but I don't know about the M1918 Trench Knife.
I travel into two states where I can't carry a gun, so I have other things I can press into service if needed. Not knucks though,they also are illegal there.
I am not old (40) but I am grumpy.
I also don't have Chuck Norris skills or Arnolds build. But I am in decent shape...5' 11" , 30" waist, 155# and I do pushups,chinups,pullups,crunches, and dumbbell exercises for an hour every other day. An attorney would have a hard time convincing a jury I needed to use a gun in every SD situation.Like facing an unarmed guy with no chance of escape.
I will avoid "fights" when I can, but I also understand that there will be times when my gun won't be there,or can't legally be my first option.
I am not foolish enough to rely on only one tool for every situation.
That is incorrect. They served the same purpose brass knuckles have always served.
If you try digging with a knife you'll learn pretty quickly that even a "D" guard is a hindrance.
Gunfighter123
Member
Yes , they are not legal in most/all states to carry.
However , they are EFFECTIVE !!! Like most SD weapons , the more training you do with them , the better they serve you.
I have about 15 knuckles in steel , brass, and plastic -- both 2 finger and 4 finger types. Back a few years ago , I spent some time learning to strike with them on a heavy bag and a boxing "speed bag".
Few nice things about them -- if worn under a set of gloves , they are not very noticable , as a impact weapon they work well on large mussle{sp} groups like the bicep etc. --- they are a KILLER when used on bone.
Once in a bar fight , I seen what happened to a buddy of mine when he got hit just once --- hit about 1" below his eyebrows , "sucker punched" --- he hit the floor and never moved the rest of the fight. It broke his nose , one cheekbone/ eye socket , and two black eyes for almost a month. The MCer that punched him was about 6 feet tall and maybe 200lbs.
Please note that I DO NOT advise you to break any law etc.
However , they are EFFECTIVE !!! Like most SD weapons , the more training you do with them , the better they serve you.
I have about 15 knuckles in steel , brass, and plastic -- both 2 finger and 4 finger types. Back a few years ago , I spent some time learning to strike with them on a heavy bag and a boxing "speed bag".
Few nice things about them -- if worn under a set of gloves , they are not very noticable , as a impact weapon they work well on large mussle{sp} groups like the bicep etc. --- they are a KILLER when used on bone.
Once in a bar fight , I seen what happened to a buddy of mine when he got hit just once --- hit about 1" below his eyebrows , "sucker punched" --- he hit the floor and never moved the rest of the fight. It broke his nose , one cheekbone/ eye socket , and two black eyes for almost a month. The MCer that punched him was about 6 feet tall and maybe 200lbs.
Please note that I DO NOT advise you to break any law etc.
Macmac
Member
Well my back is trash, so there is no way I am getting into a fight. When I need a cane, sometimes I need 2.. They are not a favorite for me, because when I need the 0ne or two I hurt, which makes me even more grumpy.
I don't give much thought to state laws and what they have to say. If i did I couldn't leave NH to attend any gun events could I?
So I just pack it and go as I please. The last time I was out of state for a while I was headed to Sunny Cal and back with my wife on a Kawii Nomad, motorcycle. Hit 40 states armed, and never had a need, but I almost did, so it was worth it for me.
I crashed on pine ridge, breaking 3 ribs, and injuring my wife's elbow. We were taken in by a local women who was in a bit of a stew and so we found that out the very next day.
Over the radio we learned 20 armed men were coming to throw out all the whites, of which we were 2. All sorts of cops showed up, and found us as a part of 'all the whites'.
The cops asked my wife if she were armed and she said no, but they should talk with me. I was in bed nursing my ribs and that is where the chat took place.
It was determined I would be allowed to remain armed.
Another thing is the Fedral laws states that if we are legal going from a legal place, in my case my home and home state, that so long as you will be legal where ever you end up, you are legal. I was planing to come back to NH.
So I maintain I was legal everyday, except when I got to yellow stone, because i thought of yellow stone as a National Forest, and didn't know it was a 'Park'. I had no choice but to remain silent..
The fire arms were both locked in cases at most times anyway because I cn't exactly shoot and ride and that doesn't come under SD anyway.
I have suffered fools before, and the last thying I ever want them to know is I am armed. I am not hasty to brandish. Pretty much if a bad guy sees the fire arm it is going to be the last thing he ever sees.
If I with draw the weapon I am going to fire it. I have suffered fools who find I am armed and they stop before I with draw the weapon... I guess I can live with that.
The other gun is a .40 cal Kentuck Long rifle we brought in the event we tripped over Lewis and Clark doin's.. We didn't so it was moot.
I don't give much thought to state laws and what they have to say. If i did I couldn't leave NH to attend any gun events could I?
So I just pack it and go as I please. The last time I was out of state for a while I was headed to Sunny Cal and back with my wife on a Kawii Nomad, motorcycle. Hit 40 states armed, and never had a need, but I almost did, so it was worth it for me.
I crashed on pine ridge, breaking 3 ribs, and injuring my wife's elbow. We were taken in by a local women who was in a bit of a stew and so we found that out the very next day.
Over the radio we learned 20 armed men were coming to throw out all the whites, of which we were 2. All sorts of cops showed up, and found us as a part of 'all the whites'.
The cops asked my wife if she were armed and she said no, but they should talk with me. I was in bed nursing my ribs and that is where the chat took place.
It was determined I would be allowed to remain armed.
Another thing is the Fedral laws states that if we are legal going from a legal place, in my case my home and home state, that so long as you will be legal where ever you end up, you are legal. I was planing to come back to NH.
So I maintain I was legal everyday, except when I got to yellow stone, because i thought of yellow stone as a National Forest, and didn't know it was a 'Park'. I had no choice but to remain silent..
The fire arms were both locked in cases at most times anyway because I cn't exactly shoot and ride and that doesn't come under SD anyway.
I have suffered fools before, and the last thying I ever want them to know is I am armed. I am not hasty to brandish. Pretty much if a bad guy sees the fire arm it is going to be the last thing he ever sees.
If I with draw the weapon I am going to fire it. I have suffered fools who find I am armed and they stop before I with draw the weapon... I guess I can live with that.
The other gun is a .40 cal Kentuck Long rifle we brought in the event we tripped over Lewis and Clark doin's.. We didn't so it was moot.
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