Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Arizona? (2026 Deadly Weapon Test)

Arizona's weapons definitions and its misconduct-involving-weapons statute (A.R.S. 13-3101 and 13-3102) never mention brass knuckles. Knuckles are not on the state's list of prohibited weapons in A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8), so owning, buying or selling them is not misconduct involving weapons under 13-3102(A)(3). Most of Arizona's other carry and place restrictions turn on one test: whether knuckles are a "deadly weapon," defined as "anything that is designed for lethal use," and the statute does not say whether knuckles meet it. The prison contraband and aggravated assault statutes also reach a "dangerous instrument," which depends on how an item is used rather than how it is designed. For other states, see our guide to brass knuckles laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-08. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Arizona state law in Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes: the weapons definitions in 13-3101, misconduct involving weapons in 13-3102, local preemption in 13-3108, the definitions of contraband and dangerous instrument in 13-2501 and 13-105, promoting prison contraband in 13-2505, aggravated assault in 13-1204(A)(2), first-offense felony ranges in 13-702, and the misdemeanor sentences and fines in 13-707 and 13-802. It does not cover the rest of Title 13, Chapter 31, court decisions, city or county ordinances, school district policies, court security rules, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

The test: is it a "deadly weapon"?

Arizona does not regulate weapons by name the way some states do. Its weapons chapter starts from two definitions.

The first is "deadly weapon":

"A. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Deadly weapon" means anything that is designed for lethal use. The term includes a firearm." A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(1)

The definition names no item other than a firearm. It does not mention knuckles, clubs or knives. Whether a set of knuckles is "designed for lethal use" is the question most of the rules below depend on, and the statute text does not answer it. The prison contraband and aggravated assault rules covered further down also reach a "dangerous instrument."

The second is "prohibited weapon," a list of items that are banned outright.

Knuckles are not a prohibited weapon

The prohibited weapon definition lists explosive devices, firearm silencers, automatic firearms and similar items:

"8. "Prohibited weapon": (a) Includes the following: (i) An item that is a bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces or mine and that is explosive, incendiary or poison gas. (ii) A device that is designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm. (iii) A firearm that is capable of shooting more than one shot automatically ... (vii) An improvised explosive device. (viii) Any combination of parts or materials that is designed and intended for use in making or converting a device into an item set forth in item (i), (v) or (vii) of this subdivision." A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8)(a)

The list also includes short-barreled rifles and shotguns, incendiary containers and gas-generating chemicals. It does not include knuckles, clubs or knives. Possessing, making, transporting, selling or transferring a prohibited weapon is misconduct involving weapons and a class 4 felony under 13-3102(A)(3) and (M), but that offense does not reach items missing from the list.

The definition opens with "Includes the following." Whether that wording makes the list exclusive has not been settled by the statute text, and no Arizona court decision on the point is discussed here.

Carrying brass knuckles concealed

Section 13-3102 has no general ban on adults carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Its paragraph (A)(1) makes concealed carry an offense only in two situations:

"1. Carrying a deadly weapon except a pocket knife concealed on his person or within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation: (a) In the furtherance of a serious offense as defined in section 13-706, a violent crime as defined in section 13-901.03 or any other felony offense; or (b) When contacted by a law enforcement officer and failing to accurately answer the officer if the officer asks whether the person is carrying a concealed deadly weapon;" A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(1)

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, that means:

• In furtherance of a felony: carrying them concealed in furtherance of a serious offense, a violent crime or any other felony is a class 6 felony under 13-3102(M).
• Answering an officer: failing to answer accurately when a law enforcement officer asks whether you are carrying a concealed deadly weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor under 13-3102(M).

The pocket knife exception in this paragraph covers pocket knives only. It does not cover knuckles.

Under 21: a separate concealed-carry rule

People under 21 face a broader rule:

"2. Carrying a deadly weapon except a pocket knife concealed on his person or concealed within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation if the person is under twenty-one years of age; ... B. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section shall not apply to: 1. A person in his dwelling, on his business premises or on real property owned or leased by that person or that person's parent, grandparent or legal guardian." A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(2), (B)(1)

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, a person under 21 who carries them concealed on the person, or concealed within immediate control in a vehicle, commits a class 3 misdemeanor, unless the person is at home, at their business, or on property that they or a parent, grandparent or legal guardian own or lease.

Prohibited possessors, transfers and drug felonies

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, three more paragraphs of 13-3102(A) apply, and none of them is limited to concealed carry:

"4. Possessing a deadly weapon or prohibited weapon if such person is a prohibited possessor; or 5. Selling or transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor; ... 8. Using or possessing a deadly weapon during the commission of any felony offense included in chapter 34 of this title" A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(4), (5), (8)

Under 13-3102(M), paragraphs 4 and 8 are class 4 felonies and paragraph 5 is a class 6 felony. Chapter 34 of Title 13 is Arizona's drug offense chapter.

Section 13-3101(A)(7) defines a "prohibited possessor." The list includes a person:

• convicted of a felony, or adjudicated delinquent for a felony, whose civil right to possess or carry a firearm has not been restored
• serving a term of imprisonment in a correctional or detention facility
• serving probation for a domestic violence offense or a felony, or on parole, community supervision, work furlough, home arrest or release on any other basis
• found by a court to be a danger to self or others, or to have a persistent or acute disability or grave disability, whose right to possess a firearm has not been restored
• found incompetent and not later found competent, or found guilty except insane
• who is an undocumented alien, or a nonimmigrant alien in Arizona for business or pleasure or studying in Arizona while keeping a foreign residence, with exceptions the definition lists

Schools, polling places and other restricted places

Section 13-3102(A)(12) makes it an offense to possess "a deadly weapon on school grounds." The statute defines the terms:

"4. "School" means a public or nonpublic kindergarten program, common school or high school. 5. "School grounds" means in, or on the grounds of, a school." A.R.S. 13-3102(O)(4), (5)

The definition lists kindergarten programs, common schools and high schools; colleges and universities are not on it. The penalty is set in subsection (M):

"Misconduct involving weapons under subsection A, paragraph 12 of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor unless the violation occurs in connection with conduct that violates section 13-2308, subsection A, paragraph 5, section 13-2312, subsection C, section 13-3409 or section 13-3411, in which case the offense is a class 6 felony." A.R.S. 13-3102(M)

The narrow school-grounds carve-outs in 13-3102 concern firearms and safety courses, not knuckles.

Other paragraphs of 13-3102(A) reach a deadly weapon in three more settings, each unless the person is specifically authorized by law:

• entering an election polling place on the day of any election carrying a deadly weapon (paragraph 11, class 1 misdemeanor)
• entering a nuclear or hydroelectric generating station carrying a deadly weapon on the person or within the immediate control of any person (paragraph 13, class 4 felony)
• entering a public establishment or attending a public event carrying a deadly weapon after a reasonable request by the operator or sponsor to place it in their custody for temporary and secure storage (paragraph 10, class 1 misdemeanor)

A "public establishment" is "a structure, vehicle or craft that is owned, leased or operated by this state or a political subdivision of this state" (13-3102(O)(2)).

Who is exempt

Subsection (C) exempts certain people from several of these rules, including the under-21 rule and the school-grounds rule:

"C. Subsection A, paragraphs 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this section shall not apply to: 1. A peace officer or any person summoned by any peace officer to assist and while actually assisting in the performance of official duties; or 2. A member of the military forces of the United States or of any state of the United States in the performance of official duties; ... 4. A person specifically licensed, authorized or permitted pursuant to a statute of this state or of the United States." A.R.S. 13-3102(C)

Jails and prisons

Arizona's prison contraband law does not depend only on the deadly weapon test. Section 13-2501 defines contraband to include "any ... deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, explosive, ... or other article whose use or possession would endanger the safety, security or preservation of order in a correctional facility." A person not otherwise authorized by law commits promoting prison contraband under 13-2505(A) by knowingly taking contraband into a correctional facility or onto its grounds, conveying it to a person confined there, or making, obtaining or possessing it while confined.

"G. Promoting prison contraband if the contraband is a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or explosive is a class 2 felony. ... In all other cases promoting prison contraband is a class 5 felony." A.R.S. 13-2505(G)

Using knuckles in an assault

Assault becomes aggravated assault under 13-1204(A)(2) "If the person uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument." A dangerous instrument is defined by how an item is used:

"12. "Dangerous instrument" means anything that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury." A.R.S. 13-105(12)

Under 13-1204(F), aggravated assault under paragraph 2 is generally a class 3 felony, and a class 2 felony when the victim is under fifteen years of age. Whether knuckles were a dangerous instrument in a particular case is a question for the court.

Arizona misdemeanor penalties

Arizona sets the maximum jail term and fine for each misdemeanor class:

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, the felony versions on this page are class 4 (possession by a prohibited possessor, use or possession during a drug felony, entering a nuclear or hydroelectric generating station) and class 6 (concealed carry in furtherance of a felony, transfer to a prohibited possessor, school-grounds possession connected to the listed gang or drug offenses). For a first felony offense, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 4 felony at 1 to 3.75 years in prison (presumptive 2.5 years) and a class 6 felony at 0.33 to 2 years (presumptive 1 year). Different rules apply to dangerous offenses and to people with prior felony convictions. For an adult, a repeat conviction for the same misdemeanor within two years is sentenced as the next higher class (13-707(B)).

City and county rules

Arizona's preemption statute is written for firearms:

"A. Except as provided in subsection G of this section, a political subdivision of this state shall not enact any ordinance, rule or tax relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, gift, devise, storage, licensing, registration, discharge or use of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories in this state." A.R.S. 13-3108(A)

Knuckles are not named, so 13-3108 does not by its terms address local rules on them. Check your city or county code, and call your local police department's non-emergency line if a rule is unclear.

Self-defense and other options in Arizona

The rules for sprays and stun devices are covered in our guide to Arizona pepper spray and stun gun laws. Knives, including the pocket knife exception in 13-3102, are covered in Arizona knife laws. When the law allows force at all is covered in Arizona self-defense laws.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Arizona knife laws
• Arizona pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Arizona self-defense laws
• California brass knuckles laws

This article provides general legal information about Arizona state law, not legal advice. Weapons laws change and local rules vary. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Arizona or your local law enforcement agency.

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Arizona?

Arizona's weapons definitions and misconduct-involving-weapons statute (A.R.S. 13-3101 and 13-3102) do not name brass knuckles, and they are not on the prohibited weapon list in A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(8). The carry and place rules in 13-3102 apply to them only if they are a deadly weapon, meaning anything designed for lethal use.

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Arizona?

If you are 21 or older, 13-3102 restricts concealed carry of a deadly weapon only in furtherance of a felony or when you fail to answer accurately an officer's question about it. Under 21, concealed carry of a deadly weapon is a class 3 misdemeanor outside the home, business and family-property exception, if knuckles count as a deadly weapon. A prohibited possessor, such as a person on felony probation or with a felony conviction whose firearm rights have not been restored, may not possess a deadly weapon at all.

Are brass knuckles a deadly weapon in Arizona?

A.R.S. 13-3101(A)(1) defines a deadly weapon as anything that is designed for lethal use and does not list knuckles. Whether a particular set meets that test is not answered by the statute text.

Can I bring brass knuckles to a school in Arizona?

If they are a deadly weapon, no. A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(12) bars possessing a deadly weapon on the grounds of a public or nonpublic kindergarten program, common school or high school, a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 6 felony when connected to specified gang or drug offenses.

Can a felon or someone on probation have brass knuckles in Arizona?

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, no. A.R.S. 13-3102(A)(4) makes it a class 4 felony for a prohibited possessor to possess a deadly weapon, and 13-3101(A)(7) includes a person with a felony conviction whose civil right to possess or carry a firearm has not been restored and a person serving probation for a felony or domestic violence offense, or on parole or community supervision. Selling or transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor is a class 6 felony.

Can my city ban brass knuckles in Arizona?

Arizona's preemption statute, A.R.S. 13-3108, bars local rules on firearms and ammunition and their components and accessories. It does not name knuckles, so check your city or county code.