Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Louisiana? (2026 Law)

Louisiana's weapons statute does not name brass knuckles. Instead, R.S. 14:95 reaches them, if at all, through general terms: it makes it illegal carrying of weapons to intentionally conceal on one's person any "instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon," or to possess a "dangerous weapon" on a school campus, on a school bus, or in a jail, courthouse, law enforcement building or the state capitol. Since 2024, R.S. 14:95(M) says the concealment paragraph does not apply to a person 18 or older who is not barred from possessing a firearm. To compare 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 Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:95 (illegal carrying of weapons), the definition of dangerous weapon in R.S. 14:2(A)(3), the school-zone statute in R.S. 14:95.2, the felon concealed-weapon statute in R.S. 14:95.1, the sale-to-minors statute in R.S. 14:91, the correctional-facility contraband statute in R.S. 14:402, the student discipline statute in R.S. 17:416, and the local preemption statute in R.S. 40:1796. It does not cover the other weapons sections of Title 14 or Title 40, parish or municipal ordinances, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

How Louisiana law treats brass knuckles

R.S. 14:95 does not list items by name. Its concealment offense is written this way:

"(1)(a) The intentional concealment of any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, on one's person." La. R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(a)

Whether brass knuckles are an "instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon" is a question the statute's words leave to the facts and the courts. This article does not treat that question as decided either way.

The restricted-place rules in the same section use a different term, "dangerous weapon," which the Criminal Code defines by how an item is used:

"A. In this Code the terms enumerated shall have the designated meanings: ... (3) "Dangerous weapon" includes any gas, liquid or other substance or instrumentality, which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm." La. R.S. 14:2(A)(3)

That definition applies throughout the Criminal Code. Because it turns on "the manner used," whether knuckles count as a dangerous weapon in a particular case depends on the facts.

Owning, buying and selling knuckles

R.S. 14:95, R.S. 14:2 and R.S. 14:95.2 do not name knuckles and do not make owning, buying, selling or manufacturing them an offense. Those sections regulate concealment, use and possession in particular places. Selling to a person under 18 is a separate matter, covered under Minors below. This article does not cover every weapons section in Louisiana law, so it does not state that no other provision reaches knuckles.

Concealed carry and the 2024 change

The concealment paragraph has an exception for concealed handgun permit holders:

"(b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to a person with a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.1, 1379.3, or 1379.3.2 nor shall it prohibit a person with a valid concealed handgun permit issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1379.1.1, 1379.3, or 1379.3.2 from carrying a concealed firearm or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon on his person unless otherwise prohibited by this Section." La. R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(b)

In 2024 the legislature added subsection M:

"M. The provisions of Subparagraph (A)(1)(a) of this Section shall not apply to any person who is eighteen years of age or older and is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under R.S. 14:95.1, 18 U.S.C. 922(g), or any other state or federal law." La. R.S. 14:95(M)

Subsection M switches off Subparagraph (A)(1)(a) as a whole, and that subparagraph covers both firearms and "other instrumentality." On its face, then, the concealment offense no longer applies to an adult 18 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm, whatever the item. No court decision on how subsection M applies to non-firearm weapons is discussed here, so treat that reading as unsettled.

The people most clearly still covered by the concealment offense are those under 18 and those prohibited from possessing a firearm under R.S. 14:95.1, 18 U.S.C. 922(g), or any other state or federal law. People with listed felony convictions also face the much heavier concealed-weapon offense in R.S. 14:95.1, discussed below.

The concealment paragraph speaks of concealment "on one's person." Its text does not mention vehicles, and this article does not draw a conclusion about knuckles kept in a car.

People with felony convictions

People with certain felony convictions face a separate and much heavier statute. R.S. 14:95.1 makes it unlawful for a person convicted of a listed offense, including a crime of violence that is a felony, simple burglary, a felony drug offense or a sex offense, "to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon." The section defines only "firearm" (R.S. 14:95.1(E)); it does not limit "concealed weapon" to firearms.

A conviction carries five to 20 years at hard labor without probation, parole or suspension of sentence, and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 (R.S. 14:95.1(B)(1)). The bar no longer applies to a person who has gone ten years without a felony conviction from the date of completing the sentence, probation, parole or suspension of sentence (R.S. 14:95.1(C)).

Schools, jails, courthouses and other restricted places

R.S. 14:95 also makes possession or use of a dangerous weapon in certain places a form of illegal carrying of weapons:

"(4)(a) The intentional possession or use by any person of a dangerous weapon on a school campus during regular school hours or on a school bus. ... (5)(a) The intentional possession or use of a dangerous weapon by any person in any of the following locations: (i) A law enforcement office, station, or building. (ii) A detention facility, prison, or jail. (iii) A courthouse or courtroom, provided that a judge may carry such a weapon in his own courtroom. (iv) The state capitol building." La. R.S. 14:95(A)(4)-(5)

These paragraphs are quoted in part; read the full section for the text that follows each one. Subsection M refers only to Subparagraph (A)(1)(a), so its text does not lift these place-based rules. If knuckles are a dangerous weapon under R.S. 14:2(A)(3) in the manner used, these rules reach them.

Jails and prisons are also covered by a heavier contraband statute. R.S. 14:402 bars bringing contraband onto the grounds of any correctional facility, possessing it on those grounds, or giving it to an inmate. Contraband includes "a dangerous weapon, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon or to aid in an escape, unless authorized by the warden of the facility or his designee" (R.S. 14:402(D)(2)). A correctional facility means "any jail, prison, penitentiary, juvenile institution, temporary holding center, or detention facility" (R.S. 14:402(H)).

A violation carries a fine of $500 to $10,000 and up to ten years, with or without hard labor (R.S. 14:402(G)(1)). Seized contraband may be destroyed, donated to a charitable organization, or put to lawful use within the facility, unless it is needed as evidence (R.S. 14:402(F)).

School zones, including colleges

A separate statute, R.S. 14:95.2, covers a wider area around schools:

"A. Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful ... within one thousand feet of any school campus. ... (3) "School" means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state." La. R.S. 14:95.2(A), (B)(3)

The statute reaches colleges and universities as well as elementary and secondary schools, and the zone extends 1,000 feet from any school campus. Like the R.S. 14:95 place rules, it depends on the R.S. 14:2 definition of dangerous weapon. A violation is punishable by up to five years at hard labor (R.S. 14:95.2(D)(1)). If the weapon is used in a crime of violence on school property or in a firearm-free zone, the penalty is a fine of up to $2,000, one to five years with or without hard labor, or both (R.S. 14:95.2(D)(2)). "Lack of knowledge that the prohibited act occurred on or within one thousand feet of school property shall not be a defense" (R.S. 14:95.2(E)).

The exemptions in subsection C for private property and private residences (C)(4) and for concealed handgun permit holders (C)(9) are written in terms of firearms and handguns, and the motor-vehicle example in (C)(5) names a firearm. School officials who seize a weapon from a student must report it to the local police or sheriff and deliver the weapon to that agency, and the weapon is disposed of or destroyed as provided by law (R.S. 14:95.2(F)(2)). The section is quoted in part, and it contains further text, so read it in full before relying on it.

Penalties for illegal carrying of weapons

"B.(1) Whoever commits the crime of illegal carrying of weapons shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. ... C. On a second conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than five years. D. On third and subsequent convictions, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than ten years without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence." La. R.S. 14:95(B)(1), (C), (D)

R.S. 14:95(E) adds a much heavier penalty when a weapon is tied to violence or drugs:

"E. If the offender uses, possesses, or has under his immediate control any firearm, or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, while committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence or while unlawfully in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance except the possession of fourteen grams or less of marijuana, or during the unlawful sale or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, the offender shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars and imprisoned at hard labor for not less than five nor more than ten years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned at hard labor for not less than twenty years nor more than thirty years without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence." La. R.S. 14:95(E)

Plastic and other non-metal knuckles

The Louisiana provisions covered here do not name knuckles of any material. They turn on whether an item is an instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, or a dangerous weapon in the manner used, rather than on what it is made of.

Minors

Subsection M's exemption starts at age 18, so a person under 18 remains subject to the concealment paragraph in R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(a). The school campus, school bus and school-zone rules apply to students and nonstudents alike.

Public school students also face school discipline. Under R.S. 17:416(B)(1)(b)(i), the principal must immediately suspend a student "found carrying or possessing a firearm or another dangerous instrumentality other than a knife" and immediately recommend the student's expulsion.

Selling to minors is covered by its own statute:

"A. Unlawful sales of weapons to minors is the selling or otherwise delivering for value of any firearm or other instrumentality customarily used as a dangerous weapon to any person under the age of eighteen. Lack of knowledge of the minor's age shall not be a defense. B. Whoever commits the crime of unlawful sales of weapons to minors shall be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both." La. R.S. 14:91

The statute does not name knuckles, so whether they are an "instrumentality customarily used as a dangerous weapon" is a question the text leaves to the facts. A seller cannot rely on not knowing the buyer's age.

Local rules

Louisiana's preemption statute lists specific items:

"A. No governing authority of a political subdivision shall enact or enforce any ordinance, order, regulation, policy, procedure, rule, or any other form of executive or legislative action more restrictive than state law concerning in any way the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, carrying, storage, ownership, taxation, transfer, transportation, license, or registration of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms or ammunition, firearms accessories, knives, edged weapons, or any combination thereof." La. R.S. 40:1796(A)

Knuckles are not on that list. The same statute also preserves the authority of local governments "to prohibit the possession of a weapon or firearm in the commercial establishments and public buildings enumerated in R.S. 40:1379.3(N)" (R.S. 40:1796(F)). Check your parish or city code, or call your local police department's non-emergency line, about any local rule.

Self-defense options and the use of force

Readers weighing knuckles often compare other options. The rules for sprays and stun devices are in our guide to Louisiana pepper spray and stun gun laws, the knife rules are in Louisiana knife laws, and the rules on when force may be used at all are in Louisiana self-defense laws.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Louisiana knife laws
• Louisiana pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Louisiana self-defense laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Louisiana?

R.S. 14:95, Louisiana's illegal carrying of weapons statute, does not name brass knuckles or ban owning them. It reaches them through general terms: concealing a dangerous-weapon instrumentality on one's person, and possessing a dangerous weapon at schools, on school buses, and in jails, courthouses, law enforcement buildings and the state capitol.

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Louisiana?

R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(a) covers intentional concealment of any "instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon" on one's person. Since 2024, subsection M says that paragraph does not apply to a person 18 or older who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm; how courts apply that to knuckles is not settled by the text alone. A person convicted of a felony listed in R.S. 14:95.1 is separately barred from carrying a concealed weapon, with a penalty of five to 20 years at hard labor.

Can I bring brass knuckles to school in Louisiana?

R.S. 14:95(A)(4) covers intentional possession or use of a dangerous weapon on a school campus during regular school hours or on a school bus, and R.S. 14:95.2 separately covers a dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2 on school property, at school functions, or within 1,000 feet of a school campus, including colleges and universities. Whether an item is a dangerous weapon under R.S. 14:2 turns on the manner of use. A violation of R.S. 14:95.2 is punishable by up to five years at hard labor.

What is the penalty for illegal carrying of weapons in Louisiana?

Under R.S. 14:95(B)(1), a first conviction carries a fine of up to $500, up to six months, or both. A second conviction carries up to five years, and a third or later conviction up to ten years without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Heavier statutes apply to people with listed felony convictions (R.S. 14:95.1), to weapons in a jail or prison (R.S. 14:402), and to school zones (R.S. 14:95.2).

Does a Louisiana concealed handgun permit cover brass knuckles?

R.S. 14:95(A)(1)(b) says the concealment paragraph does not prohibit a person with a valid concealed handgun permit from carrying a concealed firearm "or other instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon" on his person, unless otherwise prohibited by the section. The restricted-place rules in the same section still apply.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana's statutes covered here do not name knuckles of any material. The rules turn on whether an item is an instrumentality customarily used or intended for probable use as a dangerous weapon, or a dangerous weapon in the manner used under R.S. 14:2(A)(3), not on what it is made of.