Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Michigan? (2026 MCL 750.224)

Brass knuckles are illegal in Michigan. MCL 750.224(1)(d) provides that a person shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale or possess "metallic knuckles," and 750.224(2) makes a violation a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. For how other states treat the same item, 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 Michigan state law: the weapons ban in MCL 750.224, carrying with unlawful intent in 750.226, carrying concealed or in a vehicle in 750.227, the license exceptions in 750.231a, weapon free school zones in 750.237a, threats against schools in 750.235b, home invasion in 750.110a, the Revised School Code's weapon provisions at 380.1313, 380.1311 and 380.1310d, adult charging of juveniles in 764.1f, weapons in prisons and jails under 800.283, 800.285, 801.262 and 801.265, felonious assault in 750.82, and the firearms preemption statute in 123.1101 and 123.1102. It does not cover city or township ordinances, courthouse or other building rules, internal jail and prison rules, the felon-in-possession statute, federal law or property, or the law of other states.

What Michigan law says about brass knuckles

Michigan lists metallic knuckles with the classic impact weapons it bans outright. MCL 750.224 provides:

"224. (1) A person shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or possess any of the following: ... (d) A blackjack, slungshot, billy, metallic knuckles, sand club, sand bag, or bludgeon." MCL 750.224(1)(d)

"(2) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or a fine of not more than $2,500.00, or both." MCL 750.224(2)

The ban has no concealment, intent or place element. Possessing metallic knuckles is the offense, and so is making them, selling them or offering them for sale.

In People v Lynch, 410 Mich 343; 301 NW2d 796 (1981), a case about the gas-ejecting device clause of this section, the Michigan Supreme Court held that the statute was not unconstitutionally vague as applied to a defendant charged over a gas-ejecting device. In reading that clause narrowly, the court described the items listed with it, including "blackjacks, metallic knuckles, billies and bludgeons," as "not only exclusively weapons, but ... weapons used almost exclusively in perpetration of crime."

In People v Dummer, a published decision issued March 18, 2025 (Docket No. 369752), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a facial Second Amendment challenge to the possession ban in 750.224(1)(d) fails, because the ban "falls within the historical tradition of prohibiting the concealed carry of metallic knuckles as a dangerous and unusual weapon." The court decided only the facial challenge and did not reach the defendant's as-applied argument, which it found inadequately developed. The Michigan Supreme Court denied leave to appeal on October 2, 2025.

What counts as metallic knuckles

Section 750.224 uses the phrase "metallic knuckles" and does not define it. "Brass knuckles" is the common name for the item; the statute's word is "metallic."

Plastic, composite and knuckle-knife items

Because the statute says "metallic," whether a plastic, polymer or composite set falls within 750.224 is not settled by the text, and that question should be treated as open rather than as permission. A non-metal set is not outside the rest of Michigan's weapons law either: the carry statute in 750.227 and the unlawful-intent statute in 750.226 reach "any other dangerous weapon," and several statutes discussed below name "brass knuckles" without saying "metallic." Section 750.224 also does not say how an item that combines a blade with a knuckle guard is treated. For the knife rules themselves, see our guide to Michigan knife laws.

Owning and keeping brass knuckles at home

Because 750.224(1) reaches possession itself, owning a set at home is a felony, and the statute does not carve out self-defense, collecting or display. Do not confuse this with the carry statute: 750.227(1) exempts a person's "dwelling house, place of business or ... other land possessed by the person," but that exception applies only to the carry offense in 750.227, not to the possession ban in 750.224.

Who is exempt

Section 750.224(3) lists three exceptions:

"(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following: (a) A self-defense spray or foam device as defined in section 224d. (b) A person manufacturing firearms, explosives, or munitions of war by virtue of a contract with a department of the government of the United States. (c) A person licensed by the secretary of the treasury of the United States or the secretary's delegate to manufacture, sell, or possess a machine gun, or a device, weapon, cartridge, container, or contrivance described in subsection (1)." MCL 750.224(3)

The first exception concerns spray devices, not knuckles. The other two cover government-contract manufacturers and federally licensed persons. The list has no exception for self-defense, collectors, antiques, theatrical use or concealed pistol license holders.

Carrying brass knuckles concealed or in a car

Michigan's carry statute adds a second felony on top of the possession ban. MCL 750.227 provides:

"(1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person. ... (3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500.00." MCL 750.227(1), (3)

Section 750.227 does not name knuckles. In People v Vaines, 310 Mich 500; 17 NW2d 729 (1945), a case about an ordinary pocketknife carried concealed, the Michigan Supreme Court, construing the "other dangerous weapon" language of the version of section 227 then in force, said that "Daggers, dirks, stilettos, metallic knuckles, slung-shots, pistols, and similar articles, designed for the purpose of bodily assault or defense, are generally recognized as dangerous weapons per se." Other articles, the court said, become dangerous weapons only when they are used or carried for use as weapons, which is a question of fact. In a vehicle, the subsection applies whether the weapon is concealed or not. Separately from 750.227, metallic knuckles in a car or a pocket are still possessed in violation of 750.224.

Does a concealed pistol license help?

No. The license exceptions in MCL 750.231a(1) begin: "Subsection (2) of section 227 does not apply to any of the following: (a) To a person holding a valid license to carry a pistol concealed upon his or her person ...". Subsection (2) of 750.227 concerns pistols. The license exceptions do not reach 750.227(1), and 750.224(3) contains no license exception at all.

Carrying with intent to use against another person

MCL 750.226 makes it a separate felony to go armed with a weapon with unlawful intent:

"(1) A person shall not, with intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another, go armed with a pistol or other firearm, or a pneumatic gun, dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument. (2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $2,500.00." MCL 750.226(1), (2)

Unlike 750.224, this offense requires intent to use the weapon unlawfully against another person.

Schools and weapon free school zones

Michigan raises the stakes near schools. MCL 750.237a(1) provides that an individual "who engages in conduct proscribed under section 224, 224a, 224b, 224c, 224e, 226, 227, 227a, 227f, 234a, 234b, or 234c ... in a weapon free school zone is guilty of a felony punishable by 1 or more of the following: (a) Imprisonment for not more than the maximum term of imprisonment authorized for the section violated. (b) Community service for not more than 150 hours. (c) A fine of not more than 3 times the maximum fine authorized for the section violated."

Because possessing metallic knuckles is conduct proscribed under 750.224, possessing them in a weapon free school zone falls within 750.237a(1). The fine ceiling becomes three times the 750.224 maximum, and community service of up to 150 hours is available.

Section 750.237a(4) separately makes it a misdemeanor, "Except as provided in subsection (5)," for an individual to possess "a weapon in a weapon free school zone," punishable by up to 93 days, up to 100 hours of community service, a fine of up to $2,000, or a combination. Subsection (6) defines "weapon" only as including, but not limited to, a pneumatic gun. The exceptions in 750.237a(5) cover school-employed or contracted security staff, peace officers and individuals licensed by Michigan or another state to carry a concealed weapon, among others, but they apply only to subsection (4), not to the felony in subsection (1). For 750.237a, "school" means a K-12 school under 750.237a(6)(b).

College campuses and school buses

Section 750.224 has no place element, so the possession ban applies on a college campus, a school bus or anywhere else in the state. Under 750.237a(6)(e), a weapon free school zone is "school property and a vehicle used by a school to transport students to or from school property," so the 750.237a(1) felony reaches metallic knuckles on a school bus. School property is tied to the K-12 definition of school, and 750.237a(6)(c) excludes "a building used primarily for adult education or college extension courses."

School codes that name brass knuckles

The Revised School Code names brass knuckles directly. MCL 380.1313(4) provides that "As used in this section, "dangerous weapon" means a firearm, dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife with a blade over 3 inches in length, pocket knife opened by a mechanical device, iron bar, or brass knuckles." MCL 750.235b(1) makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year, a $1,000 fine, or both, to intentionally threaten to use a firearm, explosive or other dangerous weapon to commit an act of violence against students or school employees on school grounds or school property, if the threat can be reasonably interpreted to be harmful or adverse to human life. Under 750.235b(2), it is a felony punishable by up to 10 years, a $20,000 fine, or both, if the person had the specific intent to carry out the threat or had undertaken an overt act toward carrying it out. Section 750.235b(4)(a) defines "dangerous weapon" for that section as "a knife, stabbing instrument, brass knuckles, blackjack, club, or other object specifically designed or customarily carried or possessed for use as a weapon." The 380.1313 definition is not limited to that section. Under 380.1311(12)(c), it is also the definition of "dangerous weapon" for 380.1311(2), which provides that if a pupil possesses a dangerous weapon in a weapon free school zone, the school board or its designee "shall expel the pupil from the school district permanently, subject to possible reinstatement." That rule is subject to 380.1311(3) and 380.1310d. For a weapon other than a firearm, 380.1310d gives the board discretion: before expelling, it must consider factors including the pupil's age, disciplinary history and any disability, the seriousness of the violation, whether it threatened anyone's safety, and whether a lesser intervention would address it, and an expulsion is presumed not justified unless the board can show it considered each of them. A board also is not required to expel if the pupil establishes in a clear and convincing manner one of four listed factors, such as that the item was not possessed for use as a weapon or was not knowingly possessed.

A pupil expelled under 380.1311(2) is, with limited exceptions for alternative education programs, strict discipline academies and cyber schools, expelled from all public schools in Michigan (380.1311(4)), and a pupil who was in grade 6 or above cannot be reinstated before 180 school days after the expulsion (380.1311(6)(b)). Under 380.1313(1) and (2), if a dangerous weapon is found on a pupil at school, at a school activity or on a school bus, the superintendent or a designee must immediately report it to the pupil's parent or legal guardian and the local law enforcement agency, and a weapon a school official confiscates goes to law enforcement and may not be released to anyone else, including its legal owner. The 750.235b definition applies within that section.

Brass knuckles in an assault or home invasion

Using knuckles in an attack brings in Michigan's felonious assault statute, which names them expressly. MCL 750.82(1) provides:

"(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection or subsection (2), a person who assaults another person with a gun, revolver, pistol, knife, iron bar, club, brass knuckles, or other dangerous weapon without intending to commit murder or to inflict great bodily harm less than murder is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both." MCL 750.82(1)

The home invasion statute's definition of "dangerous weapon," in MCL 750.110a(1)(b)(ii), likewise includes "A knife, stabbing instrument, brass knuckles, blackjack, club, or other object specifically designed or customarily carried or possessed for use as a weapon." Under 750.110a(2), a home invasion is first degree if, at any time while the person is entering, present in or exiting the dwelling, the person is armed with a dangerous weapon or another person is lawfully present, and 750.110a(5) makes home invasion in the first degree a felony punishable by up to 20 years, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Minors

Section 750.224 has no age element, so the ban applies to a person of any age who possesses metallic knuckles and to anyone who sells them, whatever the buyer's age. None of sections 750.224, 750.226, 750.227 or 750.237a sets a separate rule for selling or giving knuckles to minors.

Under MCL 764.1f, if the prosecuting attorney has reason to believe that a juvenile 14 years of age or older but under 18 has committed a "specified juvenile violation," the prosecuting attorney may authorize the filing of a complaint and warrant on the charge with a magistrate. Specified juvenile violations include first-degree home invasion under 750.110a(2) and assault with intent to do great bodily harm under 750.84 when the juvenile is armed with a dangerous weapon, a term 764.1f(2)(b) defines to include brass knuckles.

Prisons and jails

Bringing a weapon into a Michigan prison or jail is a separate felony. Under MCL 800.283(3), unless authorized by the chief administrator of the correctional facility, "a weapon or other implement which may be used to injure a prisoner or other person" shall not be brought into or onto any correctional facility, which MCL 800.281a defines to include a state prison and the land it is on. MCL 800.285(1) makes a violation a felony punishable by up to 5 years, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Under MCL 801.262(1)(a), unless authorized by the chief administrator of the jail, a person shall not bring into a jail, a building appurtenant to a jail or onto jail grounds, for the use or benefit of a prisoner, any weapon or other item that may be used to injure a prisoner or other person. MCL 801.265(1) makes a violation a felony punishable by up to 5 years, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Penalties

Under People v Vaines (1945), metallic knuckles are dangerous weapons per se for section 227; for other objects under that section, whether they were used or carried for use as weapons is a question of fact. The text of 750.226 does not say whether a particular set is a "dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument."

City and township rules

Michigan's firearms preemption statute, MCL 123.1102, bars local units of government from regulating "pistols, other firearms, or pneumatic guns, ammunition for pistols or other firearms, or components of pistols or other firearms." Its text does not mention knuckles. Check your city or township code, or call your local police department's non-emergency line, about any local rule.

Self-defense alternatives under Michigan law

Because knuckles are banned for private citizens, readers looking for protection often compare other options. The rules for sprays and stun devices are in our guide to Michigan pepper spray and stun gun laws, and the rules on when force may be used at all are in Michigan self-defense laws.

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Michigan?

No. MCL 750.224(1)(d) bars manufacturing, selling, offering for sale or possessing metallic knuckles, and 750.224(2) makes a violation a felony punishable by up to 5 years, a $2,500 fine, or both.

Can I keep brass knuckles at home in Michigan?

Section 750.224 bars possession itself and contains no exception for the home. The dwelling exception in 750.227(1) applies only to that section's carry offense, not to the possession ban in 750.224.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in Michigan?

The question is not settled. MCL 750.224 bans metallic knuckles and does not define the term, so the statute does not say how a plastic or composite set is treated, and other statutes such as 750.227 reach any dangerous weapon carried concealed or in a vehicle.

What is the penalty for brass knuckles in Michigan?

Under MCL 750.224(2), manufacturing, selling, offering for sale or possessing metallic knuckles is a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

Does a Michigan concealed pistol license cover brass knuckles?

No. The exceptions in 750.224(3) do not include license holders, and the license exceptions in 750.231a apply only to subsection (2) of 750.227, which covers pistols.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car in Michigan?

Keeping metallic knuckles anywhere, a car included, is possession under 750.224. Separately, 750.227(1) makes it a felony to carry any other dangerous weapon, concealed or otherwise, in a vehicle you operate or occupy.

Is it legal to sell brass knuckles in Michigan?

No. MCL 750.224(1) bars selling and offering metallic knuckles for sale as well as manufacturing and possessing them, and each is a felony under 750.224(2).