*Not* Brass Knuckles

[USAF_Vet]

I know Brass knuckels are illegal in the state of Michigan

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-750-224
(1) A person shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or possess any of the following:
(d) A blackjack, slungshot, billy, metallic knuckles, sand club, sand bag, or bludgeon.

But what about knuckles made of a non-metalic composite, such as Delrin plastic? Would they be considered any of the items listed?

 

[M-Cameron]

But what about knuckles made of a non-metalic composite, such as Delrin plastic? Would they be considered any of the items listed?

thats dancing a fine line.....

the law specifically states "metallic"..........so technically you should be in the clear.....

....however i wouldnt expect the responding officer.....or a judge to see it that way.

 

[hso]

You might spend a lot of money proving the point of law, but I doubt it would be worth it.

 

[Remo223]

the only thing you will get away with is a club of some type that has a recognized purpose other than smacking people. A hammer for instance. If you are stuck on the brass knuckles concept, then maybe some type of protective glove with metal plates on the knuckles. I think they make some motorcycle gloves like this.

 

[bikerdoc]

Ever thought about big rings on every finger?

 

[newfalguy101]

blackjack, slungshot, billy, metallic knuckles, sand club, sand bag, or bludgeon.

Ummmm this really doesnt have anything to do with your question, but, just exactly what is a slungshot????

 

[hmphargh]

It is what they call a slingshot in Michigan.

 

[Black Butte]

Personally, I like the fact that the "sand bag" is illegal. I hope it doesn't flood.

 

[clem]

Roll of quarters.

 

[icecold]

Ummmm this really doesnt have anything to do with your question, but, just exactly what is a slungshot????

I had to look it up, basically appears to be a weight tied to a string that can be thrown in a person's face - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slungshot

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Ever thought about big rings on every finger?

I had to look it up, basically appears to be a weight tied to a string that can be thrown in a person's face

Reminds me of a quote I saw on another forum. It went something like "I carry a 1 1/2" guardrail nut looped onto some 550 cord. One smack to the grape and it's coloring books for Christmas"

I think if you used some knuckles made of another material they'd throw out the classic "violating the spirit of the law" garbage and make you an example.

 

[M-Cameron]

It is what they call a slingshot in Michigan.

believe it or not....there are many people in MA that think they are illegal because they dont know the difference between a sling shot and a slung shot.......

.....go figure.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The thing that makes brass knuckles effective is the mass of the metal carrys a lot of momentum.

 

[hmphargh]

If you're in the market, consider these: http://gizmodo.com/5799748/

 

[conw]

Check out the comtech stinger.

There is also a margarita shaped aluminum keychain carabiner type thing available at walmart that would do very well in this role. Check the counter in hardware where keys are made.

 

[Remo223]

The thing that makes brass knuckles effective is the mass of the metal carrys a lot of momentum.

that's not exactly true.

What makes METALIC knuckles work is that they are harder than flesh and bone knuckles and also the force of impact bypasses your flesh and bone knuckles

 

[PTK]

...but only if they're correctly made so they don't break YOUR hand... I ended up having to get a set cast for me based on hand measurements. Simply the most comfortable set I've ever seen or held, and they're even legal to carry here in MT on my permit.

 

[blarby]

As a former michigan resident, I feel your pain.

I would suggest a Kubaton.

My mother ( a corrections officer) got me one when I was 11, and I still have it- even after many law encounters. It's easily used as a tool for shattering windows from the inside to escape a vehicle, or the outside to rescue a trapped occupant.


Thats the line I always used- thats what the tool is regularly known for, and it looks fully the part ( as thats one of its uses)

They come in lengths to fit any hand, can accommodate a keyring if you so choose ( helps with the car angle) and the best ones are made of milled stainless steel.

Approximately the thickness of a roll of dimes, with one blunt rounded end and one pointed ( but not sharpened) end- they are all you would need to fit this bill.

DONT GET THE ONES WITH FINGER SPIKES/ RODS Those are obviously what they appear to be, and are confiscated with some regularity as weapons. Claiming it as a tool is hard when it has pointy finger spikes for punching

 

[MarlinBrando]

I had a set, but they went missing

Mine had 'THE EQUALIZER" laser etched into it
I am gonna try and find it right now now that I brought it up

 

[Mp7]

Wildkat keychain.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

You might spend a lot of money proving the point of law, but I doubt it would be worth it.

Yeah, lots of judges now just rule by fiat, knowing it's too expensive to argue the point in court and if they are overturned, so what? What will you do? Use the ruling against them in the future? They'll just say they were trying to be "tough on crime."

Look forward to a cop confiscating them also, if they get eyeballs on them in any kind of meeting. Lots of cops collect neato things like Delrin knucks. Some are into personal defense gadgets as much as anyone else.

Mens rea and intent are malleable and are often stretched just because someone in a costume (robe, uniform, whatever) decides that you don't "need" something, or they need it more.

And, of course, if you happen to whack someone in the temple with it and really put some hurt on them it can be expensive and stressful. But, life is dangerous and that's another debate for another thread/day/forum.

 

[lemaymiami]

Here's something to consider about this sort of stuff (brass or other material "knucks", or any other item clearly meant to give you an advantage in hand to hand stuff).... On the street many encounters with police are not clear cut at all.... The individual is either going to be sent on their way with a warning for whatever they were up to or they're going to hear "get in the car" and go downtown. Many times in my experience the surrounding circumstances tipped the scale one way or the other.

Fortunately idiots with weapons seldom consider that sort of stuff and are easily satisfied wth the thought (which most cops I worked with encouraged) that it just "wasn't their day"... Can't tell you how many times an ordinary citizen who could have gone down on a concealed weapons charge was just warned and turned loose by me if I thought they were decent folks who just made a poor decision. That judgment also went the other way if I had a bad actor who had anything they shouldn't have with them....



and so it goes (Vonnegut).

 

[Vonderek]

I knew a bus driver in England who carried a circular spigot handle in his pocket. The holes were large enough for his fingers to fit through.

 

[451 Detonics]

Nothing illegal about a coin purse...mine has about two rolls of quarters in it and works fine in a back pocket.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I have no intentions of using them in self defense or anything else. Just looking for something to tinker with making them in the garage. It's really more a question of can I versus should I. I tend to lead a very boring life and stay out of trouble. I think the only thing I would punch with them would be water balloons or sand bags.... oh wait, those are illegal, too.