Brass Knuckles Penalties by State: What Happens If You Get Caught
Brass knuckles are among the most heavily penalized self-defense tools in the United States. In California, possessing them can land you in state prison for up to three years. In New Jersey, it's an 18-month crime. And the "paperweight" label on the box you bought them in will do absolutely nothing to help you.
Reviewed by Ethan Harper · Sources verified April 2026
The "Paperweight" Trap
Walk through any flea market or browse any online retailer, and you'll find brass knuckles sold as "paperweights," "belt buckles," or "novelty items." This is a marketing fiction that has gotten a lot of people arrested.
Courts do not care what the packaging says. They look at the design and function of the item. If it is designed to fit over the knuckles and is made of a hard substance, it is a weapon under the law. Judges and prosecutors have seen this argument before, and it doesn't work.
The same logic applies to "self-defense keychains" shaped like a cat's head with pointed ears — a popular item sold at craft fairs and online. In California, New York, and many other states, these are legally identical to brass knuckles and have resulted in real arrests and convictions.
State-by-State Penalty Highlights
| State | Charge Level | First Offense Penalty | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Wobbler (Misd. or Felony) | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year jail; Felony: up to 3 years prison | Cal. Penal Code § 21810 |
| Colorado | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 364 days in jail, $1,000 fine | C.R.S. 18-12-102 |
| Illinois | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine | 720 ILCS 5/24-1 |
| Michigan | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail, $500 fine | MCL 750.224 |
| New Jersey | 4th Degree Crime | Up to 18 months in prison, $10,000 fine | NJSA 2C:39-3(e) |
| New York | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine | NY Penal Law § 265.01 |
| Texas | Legal (since 2019) | No restriction — removed from prohibited weapons list | TX Penal Code § 46.01 (amended 2019) |
| Florida | Legal | No state ban on brass knuckles | Fla. Stat. § 790.001 |
What Actually Happens in Practice
Traffic stops are the most common trigger
Most brass knuckles charges don't come from targeted enforcement. They come from traffic stops where an officer spots the knuckles in the center console, glovebox, or on the seat. In ban states, this is an automatic weapons charge.
The California wobbler is a serious risk
California's "wobbler" classification means the prosecutor has discretion to charge you with a misdemeanor or a felony. Factors that push toward a felony charge include: prior criminal history, the circumstances of the arrest, and whether the knuckles were being used or brandished. A felony conviction in California carries long-term consequences including loss of gun rights.
Plastic and novelty knuckles are not exempt
Many people assume that plastic or novelty versions of brass knuckles are legal because they're not made of metal. This is wrong in most states. The key question is whether the item is designed to be worn over the knuckles to enhance a punch. Material doesn't matter — function does.
First-offense diversion may be available
In states where brass knuckles possession is a misdemeanor, first-time offenders may qualify for pretrial diversion. These programs typically result in charge dismissal after completing community service or a probationary period. Availability varies by county and prosecutor.
All 50 States: Brass Knuckles Legal Status
| State | Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; up to 1 year imprisonment and/or fine. |
| Alaska | Restricted | Class A misdemeanor for unlawful possession or use. |
| Arizona | Banned | Class 6 felony; up to 1.5 years imprisonment. |
| Arkansas | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; up to 1 year imprisonment and/or fine. |
| California | Banned | Misdemeanor; up to 1 year in county jail and/or fine. |
| Colorado | Restricted | Class 2 misdemeanor for unlawful use or carrying concealed. |
| Connecticut | Banned | Class D felony; up to 5 years imprisonment. |
| Delaware | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; up to 1 year imprisonment and/or fine. |
| Florida | Banned | Third degree felony; up to 5 years imprisonment. |
| Georgia | Banned | Misdemeanor; up to 12 months imprisonment and/or fine. |
| Hawaii | Banned | Class C felony with potential imprisonment and fines. |
| Idaho | Restricted | Misdemeanor charges with fines and possible jail time. |
| Illinois | Banned | Class A misdemeanor with fines and possible jail time. |
| Indiana | Banned | Class A misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances. |
| Iowa | Restricted | Simple misdemeanor for illegal concealed carry. |
| Kansas | Restricted | Misdemeanor charges for illegal carry. |
| Kentucky | Banned | Class A misdemeanor or felony depending on use. |
| Louisiana | Banned | Felony charges with imprisonment and fines. |
| Maine | Legal | Misdemeanor for illegal concealed carry. |
| Maryland | Banned | Misdemeanor with fines and imprisonment. |
| Massachusetts | Banned | Possession is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison and/or fines. |
| Michigan | Banned | Felony punishable by up to 4 years imprisonment and/or fines. |
| Minnesota | Restricted | Misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor depending on circumstances, punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. |
| Mississippi | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. |
| Missouri | Restricted | Unlawful concealed carry is a misdemeanor with fines and/or imprisonment. |
| Montana | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. |
| Nebraska | Banned | Class I misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. |
| Nevada | Banned | Gross misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. |
| New Hampshire | Banned | Class B misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. |
| New Jersey | Banned | Fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and/or fines. |
| New Mexico | Banned | Class B misdemeanor; penalties may include fines and imprisonment up to 6 months. |
| New York | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; penalties include fines and up to 1 year imprisonment. |
| North Carolina | Banned | Class 2 misdemeanor; punishable by fines and up to 60 days imprisonment. |
| North Dakota | Banned | Class B misdemeanor; fines and/or imprisonment up to 30 days. |
| Ohio | Banned | Misdemeanor of the first degree; punishable by fines and up to 6 months imprisonment. |
| Oklahoma | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. |
| Oregon | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; punishable by fines and up to 1 year imprisonment. |
| Pennsylvania | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment up to 2 years. |
| Rhode Island | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment up to 1 year. |
| South Carolina | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment up to 3 years. |
| South Dakota | Banned | Class 1 misdemeanor; penalties may include fines and imprisonment up to one year. |
| Tennessee | Banned | Class E felony for possession or sale; punishable by imprisonment and fines. |
| Texas | Restricted | Previously a Class A misdemeanor; now possession is not criminal but carrying is prohibited and punishable. |
| Utah | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; penalties include fines and imprisonment up to one year. |
| Vermont | Legal | N/A |
| Virginia | Banned | Class 1 misdemeanor; punishable by up to 12 months in jail and fines. |
| Washington | Banned | Gross misdemeanor; punishable by up to 364 days in jail and fines. |
| West Virginia | Banned | Misdemeanor; punishable by fines and imprisonment. |
| Wisconsin | Banned | Class A misdemeanor; punishable by fines and imprisonment up to 9 months. |
| Wyoming | Banned | Misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment. |