Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Kentucky? (2026 Carry and School Rules)

Brass knuckles are not banned outright in Kentucky, but the state treats them as a deadly weapon. KRS 500.080(4)(h), the Kentucky Penal Code's definitions section, lists "artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material" as a deadly weapon, and KRS Chapter 527, the state's weapons chapter, contains no section that bans owning, buying or selling them. The rules that reach knuckles are about how and where they are carried: carrying them concealed is an offense under KRS 527.020 unless an exception applies, and possessing them on school property is a Class D felony under KRS 527.070. 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 Kentucky state law: the Penal Code definition of deadly weapon in KRS 500.080, carrying a concealed deadly weapon in KRS 527.020, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in KRS 527.040, weapons on school property in KRS 527.070, the concealed carry provisions in KRS 237.109, 237.110(16) and (17) and 237.115, the local preemption statute KRS 65.870, the sentence and fine statutes KRS 532.060, 532.090, 534.030 and 534.040, forfeiture under KRS 527.060, the jail and prison contraband statutes KRS 520.010, 520.050 and 520.060, school expulsion under KRS 158.150, and the civil battery statute KRS 411.020. It notes first-degree robbery and assault (KRS 515.020 and 508.010) but does not cover other offenses in which a weapon is an element, sentence enhancements, court decisions, city or county ordinances, school district or university policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

Kentucky defines knuckles as a deadly weapon

Many states leave it to a court to decide whether knuckles are a weapon. Kentucky answers the question in its Penal Code definitions:

"As used in the Kentucky Penal Code, unless the context otherwise requires: ... (4) "Deadly weapon" means any of the following: (a) A weapon of mass destruction; (b) Any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged; (c) Any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife; (d) Billy, nightstick, or club; (e) Blackjack or slapjack; (f) Nunchaku karate sticks; (g) Shuriken or death star; or (h) Artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material;" KRS 500.080(4)

Two points follow from the wording. First, the definition is not limited to brass: it covers knuckles made "from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material." Second, knives are listed separately in paragraph (c), which covers any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife.

The definition applies across the Penal Code "unless the context otherwise requires," so Penal Code rules written for a "deadly weapon" reach knuckles.

That matters most in violent offenses. Being armed with a deadly weapon while using or threatening force in the course of a theft is robbery in the first degree (KRS 515.020(1)(b)), and intentionally causing serious physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon is assault in the first degree (KRS 508.010(1)(a)). Both are Class B felonies, which carry 10 to 20 years (KRS 532.060(2)(b)); first-degree robbery becomes a Class A felony when it occurs during a declared disaster emergency in the area covered by the declaration and impacted by the disaster (KRS 515.020(2)).

Kentucky's civil law names brass knuckles too. Under KRS 411.020, "Any person struck by another with any of the weapons popularly known as colts, brass knuckles, slung shots or sandbags, or any imitation or substitute therefor, may recover for the injury done. The jury may also award punitive damages."

Owning, buying and selling knuckles

KRS Chapter 527 contains no section that makes it a crime to own, buy, sell or make artificial knuckles, and no section that names selling them to minors. Within that chapter, the offenses that reach knuckles are concealed carry (527.020) and possession on school property (527.070). KRS 527.060 also requires a court, on a conviction for any offense in which a deadly weapon was used, displayed or unlawfully possessed, to order the weapon forfeited to the state.

Kentucky's felon-in-possession statute is written for firearms:

"(1) A person is guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon when he possesses, manufactures, or transports a firearm when he has been convicted of a felony ... and has not: (a) Been granted a full pardon ..." KRS 527.040(1)

The section names a firearm, not other deadly weapons. A felony conviction still matters for knuckles, because it affects whether a person can carry them concealed under the exceptions described next.

Carrying brass knuckles concealed

The concealed carry offense covers any deadly weapon, not only guns:

"(1) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed weapon when he or she carries concealed a firearm or other deadly weapon on or about his or her person in violation of this section. ... (10) Carrying a concealed weapon is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used, or displayed, in which case it is a Class D felony." KRS 527.020(1), (10)

A Class A misdemeanor carries a jail term of up to 12 months (KRS 532.090) and a fine of up to $500 (KRS 534.040(2)(a)). A Class D felony carries a prison term of not less than one nor more than five years (KRS 532.060(2)(d)) and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000 or double the offender's gain, whichever is greater (KRS 534.030(1)). The felony fine is not imposed on a person the court determines to be indigent (KRS 534.030(4)).

The offense is defined as carrying a deadly weapon concealed. Section 527.020 does not make it an offense to carry knuckles in the open.

Permitless carry and license holders

Kentucky's permitless carry statute extends to deadly weapons other than guns:

"(1) Persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm, may carry concealed firearms or other concealed deadly weapons without a license in the same locations as persons with valid licenses issued under KRS 237.110." KRS 237.109(1)

Section 527.020(4) ties the two together:

"(4) Persons carrying concealed weapons in accordance with KRS 237.109 or licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 may carry a concealed firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky ... Unless otherwise specifically provided by the Kentucky Revised Statutes or applicable federal law, no criminal penalty shall attach to carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon at any location at which an unconcealed firearm or other deadly weapon may be constitutionally carried." KRS 527.020(4)

Both conditions in 237.109(1) must be met: age 21 or older, and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm. That leaves two groups outside the permitless carry exception:

• People under 21 who do not hold a license issued under KRS 237.110.
• People who cannot lawfully possess a firearm, such as a person convicted of a felony who has not received a full pardon or the other relief listed in KRS 527.040.

For someone in either group, carrying knuckles concealed on or about the person falls under 527.020(1), unless another exception in that section applies.

In a vehicle

Kentucky treats original-equipment compartments in a vehicle as not concealing a weapon on the person:

"(8) A loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon shall not be deemed concealed on or about the person if it is located in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer, including but not limited to a glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket, regardless of whether said enclosed container, storage space, or compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism. ... This subsection shall not apply to any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040." KRS 527.020(8)

The rule covers compartments installed by the vehicle's manufacturer. It does not apply to a person barred from possessing a firearm under the felon statute.

On owned or leased property

"(9) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who carries a concealed deadly weapon on or about his or her person: (a) If he or she is the owner of the property or has the permission of the owner of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child owns; (b) If he or she is the lessee of the property or has the permission of the lessee of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child occupies pursuant to a lease; or (c) If he or she is the sole proprietor of the business, on real property owned or leased by the business." KRS 527.020(9)

Officers and certain workers

Subsection (2) allows peace officers and certified court security officers, when necessary for their protection in the discharge of their official duties, United States mail carriers when actually engaged in their duties, and agents and messengers of express companies, when necessary for their protection in the discharge of their official duties, to carry concealed weapons.

Schools: a Class D felony

Kentucky's school weapons law covers any deadly weapon, carried openly or concealed:

"(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property when he knowingly deposits, possesses, or carries, whether openly or concealed, for purposes other than instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, or the purposes permitted in subsection (3) of this section, any firearm or other deadly weapon, destructive device, or booby trap device in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field, or any other property owned, used, or operated by any board of education, school, board of trustees, regents, or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. The provisions of this section shall not apply to institutions of postsecondary or higher education." KRS 527.070(1)

Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D felony (527.070(4)), punishable by one to five years in prison and a $1,000 to $10,000 fine (KRS 534.030(1)).

The section covers school buildings and buses as well as campuses, grounds, recreation areas and athletic fields. It does not apply to colleges, universities or other postsecondary institutions. The vehicle exemption in subsection (3)(a) is written for "An adult who is not a pupil of any secondary school and who possesses a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a vehicle operated by the adult." Its text names firearms, not other deadly weapons.

Students face school discipline as well. KRS 158.150(2)(a) requires each local board of education to adopt a policy requiring expulsion "for a period of at least twelve (12) months" for a student the board determines "to have brought a weapon to a school under its jurisdiction." In making that determination, the board must use the KRS 527.070 definition of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property and "Include bus stops." A board may modify the expulsion requirement case by case, "except the length of expulsion shall be at least twelve (12) months" for these violations (KRS 158.150(3)(a)).

Colleges and government buildings

Kentucky lets colleges and units of government set their own limits:

"(1) Except as provided in KRS 527.020, nothing contained in KRS 237.109 or 237.110 shall be construed to limit, restrict, or prohibit in any manner the right of a college, university, or any postsecondary education facility, including technical schools and community colleges, to control the possession of deadly weapons on any property owned or controlled by them or the right of a unit of state, city, county, urban- county, or charter county government to prohibit the carrying of concealed deadly weapons in that portion of a building actually owned, leased, or occupied by that unit of government." KRS 237.115(1)

A college can set its own rules on deadly weapons on its property, and a unit of government can prohibit concealed deadly weapons in the part of a building it owns, leases or occupies. Under KRS 237.115(2), the restricted part of a government building must be clearly identified by signs posted at its entrance, and the statute, regulation or ordinance may not specify a criminal penalty; a violator may be denied entrance, ordered to leave, or, if an employee of that unit of government, disciplined. Check the policy of the specific campus or building.

Courthouses, jails and other listed places

KRS 237.110(16) lists places a concealed carry license does not authorize a person to carry "a concealed firearm," including any police station or sheriff's office; any detention facility, prison or jail; "Any courthouse, solely occupied by the Court of Justice courtroom, or court proceeding"; and meetings of the governing body of a county, municipality or special district and of the General Assembly or its committees. The subsection is written for firearms and does not say how it applies to other deadly weapons. Permitless carry under KRS 237.109(1) applies only "in the same locations as persons with valid licenses." Court security rules and facility rules are outside the scope of this article.

Jails and prisons are also covered by a separate felony statute. KRS 520.050 makes it a Class D felony to knowingly introduce "dangerous contraband" into a detention facility or a penitentiary. KRS 520.010 defines contraband as any article a person confined in a detention facility is prohibited from obtaining or possessing by statute, departmental regulation, or posted institutional rule or order, and dangerous contraband as contraband "capable of use to endanger the safety or security of a detention facility or persons therein," including dangerous instruments as defined in KRS 500.080. Knowingly introducing other contraband is a Class A misdemeanor (KRS 520.060). Knuckles carried into a jail or prison can fall within these offenses.

Private businesses can set their own rule. Under KRS 237.110(17), the owner, business or commercial lessee, or manager of a private business enterprise may prohibit license holders from carrying concealed deadly weapons on the premises, and must post signs if the premises are open to the public. For a license holder, carrying in such a location "shall not be a criminal act but may subject the person to denial from the premises or removal from the premises."

Kentucky penalties at a glance

City and county rules

Kentucky's local preemption statute is written for firearms:

"(1) No existing or future city, county, urban-county government, charter county, consolidated local government, unified local government, special district, local or regional public or quasi-public agency, board, commission, department, public corporation, or any person acting under the authority of any of these organizations may occupy any part of the field of regulation of the manufacture, sale, purchase, taxation, transfer, ownership, possession, carrying, storage, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, components of ammunition, firearms accessories, or combination thereof." KRS 65.870(1)

Knuckles are not named, so 65.870(1) 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.

Knives, sprays and self-defense in Kentucky

Knives other than ordinary pocket or hunting knives sit in the same deadly weapon definition as knuckles; our guide to Kentucky knife laws covers them. Sprays and stun devices are covered in Kentucky pepper spray and stun gun laws, and when the law allows force at all is covered in Kentucky self-defense laws.

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Kentucky?

KRS Chapter 527 contains no section banning ownership, purchase or sale of knuckles, but KRS 500.080(4)(h) makes them a deadly weapon. Carrying them concealed without an exception is an offense under KRS 527.020, and having them on school property is a Class D felony under KRS 527.070.

Are plastic knuckles legal in Kentucky?

Plastic knuckles are treated the same as brass. The deadly weapon definition in KRS 500.080(4)(h) covers artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material.

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Kentucky?

Only if an exception in KRS 527.020 applies, such as being 21 or older and otherwise able to lawfully possess a firearm (KRS 237.109) or holding a license under KRS 237.110. Otherwise concealed carry is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class D felony after a prior felony conviction in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used or displayed.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car in Kentucky?

Under KRS 527.020(8), a deadly weapon in an original-equipment compartment such as a glove compartment, center console or seat pocket is not considered concealed on the person. That rule does not apply to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under KRS 527.040.

Can I bring brass knuckles to school in Kentucky?

No. KRS 527.070 makes knowingly possessing a deadly weapon in a school building or bus or on school property a Class D felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years and a $1,000 to $10,000 fine. The section does not apply to postsecondary institutions, which may control deadly weapons on their property under KRS 237.115. Under KRS 158.150, a student found to have brought a weapon to school, including a bus stop, faces expulsion for at least 12 months.

Can a felon have brass knuckles in Kentucky?

The felon-in-possession statute, KRS 527.040, names firearms only. A person who cannot lawfully possess a firearm does not qualify for permitless concealed carry under KRS 237.109, so carrying knuckles concealed falls under KRS 527.020, and it is a Class D felony if the prior felony was one in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used or displayed.