Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Indiana? (2026 Law)

Indiana has no statute that names brass knuckles, so owning, buying, selling or carrying them is not a crime by itself under the Indiana Code. Knuckles come into Indiana law only as a possible "deadly weapon" under IC 35-31.5-2-86, and that matters in specific places: boarding a commercial aircraft with one is a Level 5 felony (IC 35-47-6-1), and carrying one into a jail, prison or juvenile facility without permission is a Level 5 felony (IC 35-44.1-3-5).

Indiana's handgun license law covers handguns, so there is no separate permit system for carrying knuckles. For other states, see our guide to brass knuckles laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-09. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Indiana statutes in the 2026 Indiana Code: the deadly weapon and school property definitions in IC 35-31.5-2, the weapons provisions in IC 35-47 (including chapter 5, Prohibited Instruments of Violence, and chapter 6, Weapons on Aircraft), the battery, criminal recklessness and intimidation sections IC 35-42-2-1, IC 35-42-2-2 and IC 35-45-2-1, the correctional facility offenses in IC 35-44.1-3-5 and IC 35-44.1-3-7, the school discipline statute IC 20-33-8-16 and the penalty sections in IC 35-50. It does not cover Indiana court decisions, city or county ordinances, courthouse or statehouse rules, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

Are brass knuckles legal in Indiana?

No Indiana statute names brass knuckles or metal knuckles. Chapter 5 of IC 35-47, titled "Prohibited Instruments of Violence," contains offenses for knives with a detachable blade that can be ejected as a projectile (IC 35-47-5-2), knives on school property (IC 35-47-5-2.5), machine guns (IC 35-47-5-8 and 35-47-5-9), armor-piercing ammunition (IC 35-47-5-11.5) and using body armor while committing a felony (IC 35-47-5-13). None of them mentions knuckles, and the rest of IC 35-47 deals with firearms, stun guns, aircraft and other specific subjects.

Where Indiana law does reach knuckles, it does so through the general definition of a deadly weapon:

"(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), 'deadly weapon' means the following: (1) A loaded or unloaded firearm. (2) A destructive device, weapon, device, taser (as defined in IC 35-47-8-3) or electronic stun weapon (as defined in IC 35-47-8-1), equipment, chemical substance, or other material that in the manner it: (A) is used; (B) could ordinarily be used; or (C) is intended to be used; is readily capable of causing serious bodily injury. ..." IC 35-31.5-2-86(a)(1)-(2)

The definition does not list knuckles. Whether a particular set counts depends on whether, in the manner it is used, could ordinarily be used or is intended to be used, it is readily capable of causing serious bodily injury. The same test applies to brass, steel or plastic knuckles.

Can you carry brass knuckles in Indiana?

Indiana's carry licensing chapter, IC 35-47-2, governs handguns. No section of IC 35-47 makes carrying knuckles a crime, openly or concealed, and none sets rules for keeping them in a vehicle.

That does not mean knuckles are allowed everywhere. The place rules below apply to any "deadly weapon," and the same definition raises the charge when knuckles that meet it are used against someone. A knowing or intentional touching of another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner, committed with a deadly weapon, is battery, a Level 5 felony (IC 35-42-2-1). Communicating a threat with one of the intents listed in IC 35-45-2-1 is intimidation, a Level 5 felony if the person draws or uses a deadly weapon while committing it. Recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performing an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person is criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon (IC 35-42-2-2). Under IC 35-50-2-7(b), a Level 6 felony carries a fixed term of between six months and two and one-half years, with an advisory sentence of one year, and a fine of up to $10,000. When force is lawful at all is covered in our guide to Indiana self-defense laws.

Airports and airplanes

Indiana's aircraft chapter applies to "any other deadly weapon," not only firearms:

"Sec. 1. (a) A person who knowingly or intentionally boards a commercial or charter aircraft having in the person's possession: (1) a firearm; (2) an explosive; or (3) any other deadly weapon; commits a Level 5 felony. (b) However, the offense is a Level 4 felony if the person committed the offense with the intent to: (1) disrupt the operation of the aircraft; or (2) cause harm to another person." IC 35-47-6-1

Under IC 35-47-6-1.3, a person who knowingly or intentionally enters an area of an airport where access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property, while possessing a deadly weapon or having access to property that contains one, commits a Class A misdemeanor. Under IC 35-50-3-2, a Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year of imprisonment, and the person may also be fined up to $5,000.

Under IC 35-50-2-6(b), a Level 5 felony carries a fixed term of between one and six years, with an advisory sentence of three years, and the person may also be fined up to $10,000.

Jails, prisons and juvenile facilities

Indiana makes it a felony to bring a deadly weapon into a correctional setting:

"(d) A person who: (1) is not an inmate of a penal facility or a child of a juvenile facility; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses in, or carries or causes to be brought into, the penal facility or juvenile facility a deadly weapon without the prior authorization of the person in charge of the penal facility or juvenile facility; commits carrying a deadly weapon into a correctional facility, a Level 5 felony." IC 35-44.1-3-5(d)

Without the prior authorization of the person in charge, delivering a deadly weapon to an inmate or child of a penal or juvenile facility, or carrying one into the facility with intent to deliver it, is trafficking with an inmate, a Level 5 felony (IC 35-44.1-3-5(b)). A person incarcerated in a penal facility who knowingly or intentionally possesses a deadly weapon that is used or intended to be used in a manner readily capable of causing bodily injury commits a Level 4 felony (IC 35-44.1-3-7), which carries a fixed term of between two and twelve years, with an advisory sentence of six years, and a fine of up to $10,000 (IC 35-50-2-5.5).

Brass knuckles at Indiana schools

Indiana's criminal school-property weapons offense in chapter 5 covers knives, not knuckles. IC 35-47-5-2.5 defines a "knife" as an instrument that "(1) consists of a sharp edged or sharp pointed blade capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds; and (2) is intended to be used as a weapon," and lists a dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto, switchblade knife, gravity knife and throwing star. Possessing one on school property, a school bus or a special purpose bus is a Class B misdemeanor, a Class A misdemeanor with a previous unrelated conviction under the section, and a Level 6 felony if the offense results in bodily injury to another person. The section does not apply to a knife that is secured in a motor vehicle, or to a knife the school corporation provides or authorizes and that is used for a purpose the school corporation authorizes.

Plain knuckles have no blade, so they are outside that definition. A knuckle knife has a blade, so it is covered by the section when it meets both parts of the definition, including the intent to use it as a weapon.

For students, the school discipline statute reaches non-firearm deadly weapons. IC 20-33-8-16(b) uses the deadly weapon definition in IC 35-31.5-2-86 but excludes firearms and destructive devices, and subsection (f) provides that a student who is identified as bringing a deadly weapon to school or on school property, or who possesses one on school property, "may be expelled for not more than one (1) calendar year." The word "may" makes that expulsion discretionary.

Minors and sales of brass knuckles

No Indiana statute names knuckles in a rule on sales to minors or possession by minors; IC 35-47-10, the chapter on children, concerns firearms. The one general sales rule that can reach knuckles is about intoxication:

"Sec. 1. A person who sells, barters, gives, or delivers any deadly weapon to any person at the time in a state of intoxication, knowing him to be in a state of intoxication, or to any person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated, and knowing him to be a person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated, commits a Class B misdemeanor." IC 35-47-4-1

Under IC 35-50-3-3, a Class B misdemeanor carries up to 180 days of imprisonment, and the person may also be fined up to $1,000.

Can Indiana cities ban brass knuckles?

Indiana's preemption statute, IC 35-47-11.1-2, bars political subdivisions from regulating "firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories," including their ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, transfer and storage. Its text does not mention other weapons, so on its face it does not bar a local rule on knuckles. This article does not cover city or county ordinances; check your local code or ask your local police department. Knife rules are covered in our guide to Indiana knife laws.

Indiana penalties at a glance

In each case the fine is in addition to the term and is discretionary ("may be fined").

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Indiana knife laws
• Indiana self-defense laws
• Illinois brass knuckles laws
• Michigan brass knuckles laws

This article provides general legal information about Indiana state law, not legal advice. Weapons laws change, and whether a court treats an object as a deadly weapon depends on the facts. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Indiana or your local law enforcement agency.

Last updated: 2026-10-09.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Indiana?

No Indiana statute names brass knuckles or makes owning, buying, selling or carrying them a crime by itself. They can be a deadly weapon under IC 35-31.5-2-86, which makes them illegal on commercial aircraft (IC 35-47-6-1), in an airport's screened area (IC 35-47-6-1.3) and in jails, prisons and juvenile facilities without authorization (IC 35-44.1-3-5).

Do you need a license to carry brass knuckles in Indiana?

No. Indiana's carry licensing chapter, IC 35-47-2, governs handguns, and no section of IC 35-47 sets a license or carry rule for knuckles.

Can I take brass knuckles on a plane from Indiana?

Boarding a commercial or charter aircraft with any deadly weapon is a Level 5 felony under IC 35-47-6-1, and a Level 4 felony if done with intent to disrupt the aircraft or harm another person. Entering an airport's screened area with a deadly weapon is a Class A misdemeanor under IC 35-47-6-1.3.

Can a student be expelled for brass knuckles in Indiana?

Yes. IC 20-33-8-16(f) provides that a student who brings a deadly weapon to school or possesses one on school property may be expelled for not more than one calendar year. For this section, deadly weapon excludes firearms and destructive devices.

Can an Indiana city ban brass knuckles?

Indiana's preemption statute, IC 35-47-11.1-2, bars political subdivisions from regulating firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories. Its text does not mention other weapons, so it does not on its face bar a local rule on knuckles.