Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Idaho? (2026 Deadly Weapon Law)

Idaho's weapons chapter, Title 18 chapter 33 of the Idaho Code, does not mention brass knuckles or metal knuckles in any of its sections, so no section of that chapter bans owning, buying, selling or carrying them by name. Most of chapter 33 reaches knuckles only if they fit its general definition of a "deadly weapon" in Idaho Code 18-3302(2)(b): an item "designed and manufactured to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury," or one the person intends to be readily capable of that.

If knuckles meet that definition, the main limit is the concealed-weapons rule in 18-3302: carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a license is a misdemeanor, but the statute's exceptions cover a vehicle, a person's home or business, plain view and adults over 18 who are US citizens or current members of the armed forces and are not disqualified. Separate misdemeanors cover deadly or dangerous weapons on school property (under a broader, federally borrowed definition), concealed carry in a courthouse, jail or school, carrying a concealed weapon while intoxicated, possessing a deadly weapon with intent to assault, and drawing one in a threatening manner. 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 Idaho state law in Title 18 chapter 33 of the Idaho Code (Weapons), in particular sections 18-3301, 18-3302, 18-3302A, 18-3302B, 18-3302C, 18-3302D, 18-3302E, 18-3302I, 18-3302J, 18-3303 and 18-3327, the general felony and misdemeanor penalties in 18-112 and 18-113, and the correctional facility contraband rule in 18-2510, with brief notes on aggravated assault and battery (18-905, 18-907) and the deadly weapon sentence enhancement (19-2520). It does not cover the penalties for assault or battery, the license disqualifiers in 18-3302(11), rules for people with felony convictions or on probation, Idaho court decisions, city or county ordinances, college and university policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

Does Idaho law name brass knuckles?

No. None of the 44 sections of Idaho Code Title 18 chapter 33, from 18-3301 through 18-3327, mentions knuckles. The chapter's definition of "deadly weapon" names only some knives and firearms and then turns to a design-or-intent test:

"(2) As used in this chapter: (a) 'Concealed weapon' means any deadly weapon carried on or about the person in a manner not discernible by ordinary observation; (b) 'Deadly weapon' means: (i) Any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger or firearm; (ii) Any other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is designed and manufactured to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury; or (iii) Any other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is intended by the person to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury." Idaho Code 18-3302(2)

Knuckles are not listed in (i). They are a deadly weapon under this chapter only if they meet (ii), the design-and-manufacture test, or (iii), the person's intent. The statute does not say whether ordinary brass, plastic or other knuckles meet test (ii), and this article does not discuss any Idaho court decision on that question. Because test (iii) turns on intent, the same item can be treated differently depending on why the person carries it.

The chapter also tells courts how to read it:

"The provisions of this chapter regulating the carrying of weapons must be strictly construed so as to give maximum scope to the rights retained by the people." Idaho Code 18-3302(1)

Carrying knuckles concealed

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, they are a "concealed weapon" when carried "in a manner not discernible by ordinary observation," and the license rule in 18-3302(3) applies:

"(3) No person shall carry concealed weapons on or about his person without a license to carry concealed weapons, except: (a) In the person's place of abode or fixed place of business; (b) On property in which the person has any ownership or leasehold interest; (c) On private property where the person has permission to carry concealed weapons from any person with an ownership or leasehold interest; (d) Outside the limits of or confines of any city, if the person is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is not otherwise disqualified from being issued a license under subsection (11) of this section." Idaho Code 18-3302(3)

Subsection (4) then lists situations the license rule does not reach at all. Three matter most for knuckles:

"(4) Subsection (3) of this section shall not apply to restrict or prohibit the carrying or possession of: (a) Any deadly weapon located in plain view; ... (c) Any deadly weapon concealed in a motor vehicle; ... (f) Any deadly weapon concealed by a person who: (i) Is over eighteen (18) years of age; (ii) Is a citizen of the United States or a current member of the armed forces of the United States; and (iii) Is not disqualified from being issued a license under paragraphs (b) through (n) of subsection (11) of this section." Idaho Code 18-3302(4)

What that means in practice, if the knuckles are a deadly weapon:

• At home or at work: carrying them concealed in your place of abode or fixed place of business is an exception under (3)(a).
• Openly: a deadly weapon "located in plain view" is outside the license rule under (4)(a).
• In a car: a deadly weapon "concealed in a motor vehicle" is outside the license rule under (4)(c).
• Adults: a person over 18 who is a US citizen or a current member of the US armed forces, and who is not disqualified under 18-3302(11)(b) through (n), may carry concealed under (4)(f). All three conditions must be met. Even then, 18-3302C makes it a misdemeanor for a licensee or a person carrying under (4)(f) to carry a concealed weapon in a courthouse, a juvenile detention facility or jail, or a public or private school. Its exceptions cover peace officers acting within the scope of their employment, security personnel actually engaged in their employment, a person authorized by the entity with authority over the building or facility, and school carry authorized under 18-3302D(4)(g).
• Everyone else: a person who meets none of the exceptions, such as someone under 18 carrying concealed knuckles on a city street, can be charged if the knuckles are a deadly weapon.

The penalty subsection is short: "(21) A person carrying a concealed weapon in violation of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." Section 18-3302 sets no separate punishment for it, so the general misdemeanor rule applies:

"(1) Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed in this code, every offense declared to be a misdemeanor, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six (6) months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both." Idaho Code 18-113(1)

Carrying a concealed weapon "on or about his person when intoxicated or under the influence of an intoxicating drink or drug" is a separate misdemeanor under 18-3302B, and that section has no exception for licensees, vehicles or the (4)(f) adult rule. A violation on a college or university campus also brings a three-year revocation of any concealed weapons license issued under 18-3302, 18-3302H or 18-3302K. With no punishment set in the section, 18-113 applies: up to 6 months and $1,000.

Section 18-3302 has a second version that takes effect on January 1, 2027. Its definitions and its subsections (3) and (4) read the same as the current version.

Using or threatening with knuckles

Two Idaho misdemeanors apply to any deadly weapon:

"Every person having upon him any deadly weapon with intent to assault another is guilty of a misdemeanor." Idaho Code 18-3301

"Every person who, not in necessary self-defense, in the presence of two (2) or more persons, draws or exhibits any deadly weapon in a rude, angry and threatening manner, or who, in any manner, unlawfully uses the same, in any fight or quarrel, is guilty of a misdemeanor." Idaho Code 18-3303

Both depend on the knuckles being a deadly weapon. Under the chapter definition, an item a person intends to be readily capable of causing death or serious bodily injury qualifies under test (iii), which matters most in exactly these situations.

Using knuckles in an attack can also be charged under other chapters as aggravated assault (an assault "with a deadly weapon or instrument," 18-905) or aggravated battery (a battery that "uses a deadly weapon or instrument," 18-907). Idaho Code 19-2520 raises the maximum sentence by 15 years for listed crimes, including aggravated assault, aggravated battery and robbery, committed while the person "displayed, used, threatened, or attempted to use a firearm or other deadly weapon," if that fact is separately charged and admitted or found true.

When force is lawful at all is covered in our guide to Idaho self-defense laws.

Schools

Idaho's school weapons statute uses a different definition from the rest of chapter 33:

"(1)(a) It shall be unlawful and is a misdemeanor for any person to possess a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon while on the property of a school ... (2) Definitions. As used in this section: (a) 'Deadly or dangerous weapon' means any weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C. 930; ... (5) Penalties. Persons who are found guilty of violating the provisions of this section may be sentenced to a jail term of not more than one (1) year or fined an amount not in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or both." Idaho Code 18-3302D

The federal definition is broad: "a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2½ inches in length" (18 U.S.C. 930(g)(2)). Unlike the chapter 33 definition, it does not require that the item be designed and manufactured as a weapon or that the person intend it as one.

The ban covers the property of a public or private elementary or secondary school, school-provided transportation, and portions of buildings or other structures on school grounds being used for a school-sponsored activity. For students, it also applies at any school-sponsored activity, program or event, wherever it is held (18-3302D(1)(b)). Exceptions in subsection (4) include an adult over 18 who is not enrolled in an elementary or secondary school and has the weapon in lawful possession, "secured and locked in his vehicle in an unobtrusive, nonthreatening manner," and a person who lawfully has the weapon in a private vehicle while delivering minor children, students or school employees to and from school or a school activity. Other exceptions include peace officers, qualified retired officers licensed under 18-3302H, programs approved by the school board, and people authorized by the board to carry a firearm.

A separate statute, 18-3302I, makes it a misdemeanor to willfully threaten to use a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon to do violence to any person on school grounds, and a felony to knowingly possess one in furtherance of carrying out such a threat. The felony carries up to 5 years in prison and a $50,000 fine under the general felony rule in 18-112. That section uses its own definition: "'Deadly or dangerous weapon' means a weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that is used for, or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury." School district discipline policies are separate from these statutes.

Minors

Idaho's statute on selling weapons to minors does not reach knuckles. It defines its key term narrowly:

"As used in this section, 'weapon' shall mean any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, pistol, revolver or gun." Idaho Code 18-3302A

Idaho's minors' possession statute, 18-3302E, uses the same list. Neither names knuckles. A minor carrying knuckles is still subject to the concealed-weapons rule in 18-3302, if the knuckles are a deadly weapon, and the over-18 exception in (4)(f) does not apply to a minor.

Jails and prisons

Idaho Code 18-2510 treats "any firearm or dangerous weapon" as major contraband. Knowingly introducing or attempting to introduce major contraband into a correctional facility or onto its grounds, conveying it to a prisoner, or possessing it within a correctional facility, except as authorized by law or with the facility head's permission, is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both (18-2510(3)-(4)).

City and county rules

Idaho has two preemption statutes, and neither is written for knuckles:

• Firearms: 18-3302J(2) bars counties, cities and other political subdivisions from regulating "the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition."
• Knives: 18-3327(1), added in 2024, bars local rules "relating to the transportation, possession, carrying, sale, transfer, purchase, gift, devise, licensing, registration, or use of a knife or knife making components," except as provided in 18-3302 and 18-3302A.

Neither statute names knuckles, so neither addresses a local rule on them by its terms. Check your city or county code, and call your local police department's non-emergency line if a rule is unclear. Knife rules are covered in our guide to Idaho knife laws.

Idaho penalties at a glance

Each row applies to knuckles only if they meet the definition the section uses.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Idaho knife laws
• Idaho self-defense laws
• Oregon brass knuckles laws
• Utah brass knuckles laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Idaho?

No section of Idaho Code Title 18 chapter 33 names brass or metal knuckles, so the chapter has no knuckles ban by name. Most of the chapter reaches knuckles only if they meet the deadly weapon definition in 18-3302(2)(b), which brings in the concealed-carry and intent-based offenses. The school property and school threat statutes use broader definitions.

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Idaho?

If knuckles are a deadly weapon, carrying them concealed without a license is a misdemeanor under 18-3302(21) unless an exception applies. The exceptions include a person over 18 who is a US citizen or current armed forces member and not disqualified under 18-3302(11)(b) through (n), and the person's home or fixed place of business. Carrying a concealed weapon in a courthouse, jail or school (18-3302C) or while intoxicated (18-3302B) is still a misdemeanor.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car in Idaho?

Under 18-3302(4)(c), the concealed-carry license rule does not apply to any deadly weapon concealed in a motor vehicle. On school property, 18-3302D exempts an adult over 18 not enrolled in an elementary or secondary school whose weapon is secured and locked in the vehicle in an unobtrusive, nonthreatening manner, and a person dropping off or picking up children, students or school employees. Bringing a dangerous weapon onto the grounds of a correctional facility without permission is a felony under 18-2510.

Can a minor buy brass knuckles in Idaho?

Idaho's statute on selling weapons to minors, 18-3302A, defines weapon as a dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, pistol, revolver or gun, so it does not cover knuckles. A minor carrying concealed knuckles that are a deadly weapon can still face the concealed-carry misdemeanor in 18-3302.

Can I bring brass knuckles to a school in Idaho?

Possessing a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon on school property is a misdemeanor under 18-3302D, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The section defines that term by reference to 18 U.S.C. 930, which covers any weapon or device used for, or readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except a pocket knife with a blade under 2 1/2 inches.