Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Georgia? (2026 O.C.G.A. Rules)

Georgia's general carry laws do not reach brass knuckles, but the Code restricts them in specific places and sales. Georgia's carry statutes define a "weapon" as only a knife (with a blade over 12 inches) or a handgun, so the weapons carry license and restricted-locations rules in O.C.G.A. 16-11-126 and 16-11-127 do not reach knuckles. Knuckles are named, of any material, in other rules: selling or furnishing them to anyone under 18 is a crime (16-11-101), and they are barred in school safety zones (16-11-127.1) and the State Capitol (16-11-34.1). 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 Georgia state law in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated: furnishing knuckles to minors (16-11-101), the carry definitions in 16-11-125.1 and the rules in 16-11-126 and 16-11-127, school safety zones (16-11-127.1), the State Capitol and legislative buildings (16-11-34.1), local knife preemption (16-11-136), the misdemeanor penalties (17-10-3 and 17-10-4), the inmate possession offense in the Corrections title (42-5-63) and the school discipline definition of "hazardous object" (20-2-751), including the changes made by the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2022 (SB 319). Georgia's legislature may have amended these sections since 2022; check the current official Code. This article does not cover city or county ordinances, court security orders, local school discipline policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

How Georgia law treats brass knuckles

The Georgia Code sections discussed here name knuckles in rules aimed at particular people and places:

• Sales to minors: 16-11-101 makes it a crime to knowingly sell or furnish knuckles to a person under 18.
• Schools: 16-11-127.1 lists knuckles as a "weapon" that may not be carried in a school safety zone, at a school function, or on school transportation.
• The State Capitol: 16-11-34.1 bars knuckles in the Capitol and the General Assembly's office buildings.
• Corrections: 42-5-63, in the Corrections title, makes unauthorized possession of knuckles by a person confined in a penal institution a felony.
• Student discipline: 20-2-751, in the Education title, lists knuckles of any material as a "hazardous object," and 20-2-751.1 requires each local board of education to have a policy on students' possession of hazardous objects at school, separate from any criminal charge.

Outside those settings, the Georgia Code sections discussed here do not make it a crime for an adult to own knuckles or carry them, openly or concealed.

Each of those statutes uses the same description: knuckles "whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material." Plastic, polymer and wooden knuckles are treated the same as brass ones under those statutes.

Why Georgia's carry laws do not reach knuckles

Georgia's carry rules, including the weapons carry license in 16-11-126 and the list of restricted locations in 16-11-127 (courthouses, government buildings, places of worship and polling places among them), apply to a "weapon." The definitions section for that part of the Code gives the word a narrow meaning:

"As used in this part, the term: ... (2) 'Knife' means a cutting instrument designed for the purpose of offense and defense consisting of a blade that is greater than 12 inches in length which is fastened to a handle. ... (5) 'Weapon' means a knife or handgun." O.C.G.A. 16-11-125.1(2), (5), as reprinted in SB 319 (2022)

Knuckles are neither a knife with a blade over 12 inches nor a handgun. So the license rules and the 16-11-127 location list do not apply to them. The 2022 Constitutional Carry Act re-enacted 16-11-125.1 and left paragraphs (2) and (5) unchanged.

This creates a trap. The word "weapon" means something much broader in the school statute, 16-11-127.1, which lists knuckles by name. A reader who learns that "weapon" means only a knife or handgun in the carry statutes should not assume the same is true at a school.

Selling or giving brass knuckles to minors (O.C.G.A. 16-11-101)

Georgia's knuckles-specific sales rule protects people under 18:

"A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature when he or she knowingly sells to or furnishes to a person under the age of 18 years knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, or a knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense." O.C.G.A. 16-11-101

Three points come from the text:

• Knowledge is required. The seller or giver must act knowingly.
• Giving counts. The statute covers furnishing, not only selling.
• The class is higher than an ordinary misdemeanor. A misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature is a separate class. Section 16-11-101 does not itself state a fine or jail term. Under 17-10-4(a), a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature is punishable by a fine up to $5,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both.

The statute targets the person who supplies the knuckles. It does not make it a crime for a person under 18 to own them, though the school safety zone rules below apply to students as well.

Brass knuckles at schools and colleges (O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1)

Of the knuckles rules discussed here, the school safety zone statute carries the heaviest penalty. It defines "weapon" to include knuckles:

"(4) "Weapon" means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, ... This paragraph excludes any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher." O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1(a)(4)

It then makes possession unlawful in three settings:

"(b)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person to carry to or to possess or have under such person's control while within a school safety zone, at a school function, or on a bus or other transportation furnished by a school any weapon or explosive compound, other than fireworks or consumer fireworks the possession of which is regulated by Chapter 10 of Title 25." O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1(b)(1)

A school safety zone covers real property and buildings owned by or leased to public and private elementary and secondary schools and local boards of education, and the definition extends to colleges and universities as well.

The penalty depends on whether you are a lawful weapons carrier

The 2022 Constitutional Carry Act rewrote the penalty paragraph:

"(2) Except as provided for in paragraph (20) of subsection (c) of this Code section, any lawful weapons carrier who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who is not a lawful weapons carrier who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000.00, by imprisonment for not less than two nor more than ten years, or both." O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1(b)(2), as amended by SB 319 (2022)

The same act added a definition of "lawful weapons carrier" to 16-11-125.1:

"(2.1) 'Lawful weapons carrier' means any person who is licensed or eligible for a license pursuant to Code Section 16-11-129 and who is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a weapon or long gun, any resident of any other state who would otherwise be eligible to obtain a license pursuant to such Code section but for the residency requirement, and any person licensed to carry a weapon in any other state." O.C.G.A. 16-11-125.1(2.1)

Whether a particular person is eligible for a license under 16-11-129 depends on that section's requirements, which are outside this page. As a result, the same set of knuckles at a school function can be a misdemeanor for one person and a felony carrying 2 to 10 years for another.

A general misdemeanor in Georgia is punishable under 17-10-3(a)(1):

"(1) By a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by confinement in the county or other jail, county correctional institution, or such other places as counties may provide for maintenance of county inmates, for a total term not to exceed 12 months, or both;" O.C.G.A. 17-10-3(a)(1)

School safety zone exceptions

Subsection (c) lists exceptions. One covers adults dropping off or picking up students, and it is written for lawful weapons carriers:

"(8) A weapon possessed by a lawful weapons carrier which is under the possessor's control in a motor vehicle or which is in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle or one which is in a locked container in or a locked firearms rack which is on a motor vehicle which is being used by an adult over 21 years of age to bring to or pick up a student within a school safety zone, ... provided, however, that this exception shall not apply to a student attending a public or private elementary or secondary school;" O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1(c)(8), as amended by SB 319 (2022)

Subsection (d) protects people who live or work within a zone, but not at the school itself:

"(d)(1) This Code section shall not prohibit any person who resides or works in a business or is in the ordinary course transacting lawful business or any person who is a visitor of such resident located within a school safety zone from carrying, possessing, or having under such person's control a weapon within a school safety zone; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful for any such person to carry, possess, or have under such person's control while at a school building or school function or on school property or a bus or other transportation furnished by a school any weapon or explosive compound" O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1(d)(1)

Section 16-11-127.1(c)(7), as amended by SB 319, separately excepts a lawful weapons carrier who carries or picks up a student, or who has a weapon legally kept in a vehicle parked in or passing through a school safety zone.

The weapon definition itself also excludes instruments "used for classroom work authorized by the teacher."

The State Capitol and legislative buildings (O.C.G.A. 16-11-34.1)

Georgia names knuckles in the statute that protects the General Assembly's buildings:

"(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than those persons who are exempt from the provisions of Code Sections 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2, to enter, occupy, or remain within the state capitol building or any building housing committee offices, committee rooms, or offices of members, officials, or employees of the General Assembly or either house thereof while in the possession of any firearm; knife, as such term is defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1; explosive or incendiary device or compound; bludgeon; knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material; or any other dangerous or deadly weapon, instrument, or device." O.C.G.A. 16-11-34.1(b)

Under subsection (h), a first offense is a misdemeanor, a second offense is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, and a third offense is a felony punishable by 1 to 3 years.

Prisons and inmates (O.C.G.A. 42-5-63)

The Corrections title also refers to "any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slingshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, or knuckles whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material" in 42-5-63, a section on inmates. Under 42-5-63(a), a person confined in a penal institution, or in custody while being taken to or from one, who possesses knuckles of any material without authorization commits a felony punishable by 1 to 5 years.

City and county rules

Georgia limits local regulation of knives, but its preemption statute is written for knives:

"(3) "Knife" means any cutting instrument with a blade and shall include, without limitation, a knife as such term is defined in Code Section 16-11-125.1. (b) Except for restrictions in courthouses and government buildings, no county, municipality, or consolidated government shall, by rule or ordinance, constrain the possession, manufacture, sale, or transfer of a knife more restrictively than the provisions of this part." O.C.G.A. 16-11-136(a)(3), (b)

Knuckles are not a cutting instrument with a blade, and 16-11-136 does not name them. It therefore does not clearly bar a city or county from regulating knuckles. Check your city or county code, and call your local police department's non-emergency line if a rule is unclear.

Penalties at a glance

An ordinary misdemeanor carries a fine up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both (17-10-3(a)(1)).

Self-defense and other options in Georgia

The rules for sprays and stun devices are covered in our guide to Georgia pepper spray and stun gun laws. For the knife definitions that do control Georgia's carry statutes, see Georgia knife laws. When the law allows force at all is covered in Georgia self-defense laws.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Georgia knife laws
• Georgia pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Georgia self-defense laws
• Florida brass knuckles laws
• Tennessee brass knuckles laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Georgia?

Adults are not barred from owning or carrying knuckles by the Georgia Code sections discussed here, because the carry statutes define weapon as a knife or handgun (16-11-125.1(5)). Knuckles are restricted in school safety zones (16-11-127.1) and the State Capitol (16-11-34.1), and selling them to anyone under 18 is a crime (16-11-101).

Can I carry brass knuckles in Georgia?

Georgia's weapons carry license and restricted-locations rules in 16-11-126 and 16-11-127 apply only to a knife (blade over 12 inches) or handgun, so they do not reach knuckles. The school safety zone and Capitol rules do name knuckles.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in Georgia?

Georgia treats them the same as metal ones. Sections 16-11-101, 16-11-127.1 and 16-11-34.1 name knuckles "whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material."

Can I bring brass knuckles to a school or college in Georgia?

No. O.C.G.A. 16-11-127.1 lists knuckles as a weapon and bars carrying or possessing one in a school safety zone, at a school function or on school transportation. A lawful weapons carrier who violates it commits a misdemeanor; anyone else commits a felony punishable by 2 to 10 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both.

Can you sell brass knuckles to a minor in Georgia?

No. Under O.C.G.A. 16-11-101, knowingly selling or furnishing knuckles of any material to a person under 18 is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car at school pickup in Georgia?

Section 16-11-127.1(c)(8) excepts a weapon possessed by a lawful weapons carrier in a motor vehicle, or locked in a compartment, container or firearms rack in or on it, while an adult over 21 uses the vehicle to bring or pick up a student, but the exception does not apply to an elementary or secondary school student. Section 16-11-127.1(c)(7) separately excepts a lawful weapons carrier who carries or picks up a student, or who has a weapon legally kept in a vehicle parked in or passing through a school safety zone.

Can I bring brass knuckles into the Georgia State Capitol?

No. O.C.G.A. 16-11-34.1(b) bars entering or remaining in the Capitol or General Assembly office buildings with knuckles, unless exempt under 16-11-126 through 16-11-127.2. A first offense is a misdemeanor, a second a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, and a third a felony of 1 to 3 years.