Are Brass Knuckles Legal in New Hampshire? (2026 Law)

New Hampshire law names "metallic knuckles" in RSA 159:16, which makes it a misdemeanor to sell them, possess them with intent to sell, or carry them on the person, except as provided by the laws of the state. The statute does not state a misdemeanor class, so the offense is presumptively a class B misdemeanor under RSA 625:9, IV(c), and people with qualifying felony convictions face a separate class B felony under RSA 159:3. 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 New Hampshire's carrying and selling statute (RSA 159:16) and its exceptions (RSA 159:17), the felon-possession statute (RSA 159:3 and 159:5), the violent-crime weapon statute (RSA 159:15), the courtroom weapons statute (RSA 159:19), the martial arts weapon sales statute (RSA 159:24), the preemption statute (RSA 159:26), the domestic violence protective order provision in RSA 173-B:5, and the classification, definition and sentencing provisions in RSA 625:9, 625:11 and 651:2, the Safe School Zones Act (RSA 193-D) with its extended-term rule (RSA 651:6), and the contraband statute RSA 642:7. It does not cover town or city ordinances, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

What RSA 159:16 says

The core rule is one sentence:

"Whoever, except as provided by the laws of this state, sells, has in his possession with intent to sell, or carries on his person any blackjack, slung shot, or metallic knuckles shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and such weapon or articles so carried by him shall be confiscated to the use of the state." RSA 159:16

The section's source line ends with a 2010 amendment (2010, 67:1, effective May 18, 2010). Three kinds of conduct are covered: selling, having knuckles "with intent to sell," and carrying them "on his person." Knuckles carried in violation are confiscated to the use of the state.

Owning knuckles at home

RSA 159:16 does not list simple possession, meaning having knuckles without carrying them on the person and without intent to sell. That is a limit of this section's text, not a statement that New Hampshire law permits knuckles in every setting. People with qualifying felony convictions are in a different position: RSA 159:3 bars them from owning or possessing knuckles at all, as explained below.

Carrying knuckles: open, concealed and in a car

RSA 159:16 says "carries on his person." It has no concealed-only qualifier, so its text does not distinguish open from concealed carry on the person. The section does not mention vehicles, and this article draws no conclusion about knuckles kept in a car rather than on the person.

New Hampshire's license to carry under RSA 159:6 authorizes carrying a loaded pistol or revolver. It is not a license for knuckles.

Who is exempt

RSA 159:17 lists the people the carrying and selling rule does not reach:

"The provisions of the preceding section shall not apply to officers of the law, to persons holding hunting or fishing licenses when lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing, to employees of express companies while on duty, to watchmen while on duty, to emergency medical technicians, firefighters, or military personnel while in the course of their duties, or to duly authorized military or civic organizations when parading, or to the members thereof when at, or going to or from, their customary places of assembly." RSA 159:17

Penalties and the misdemeanor class

RSA 159:16 says "misdemeanor" without a class. New Hampshire's classification statute fills that gap:

"(c) Any crime designated within or outside this code as a misdemeanor without specification of the classification shall be presumed to be a class B misdemeanor unless: (1) An element of the offense involves an "act of violence" or "threat of violence" as defined in paragraph VII; (2) The state files a notice of intent to seek class A misdemeanor penalties on or before the date of arraignment. Such notice shall be on a form approved in accordance with RSA 490:26-d; or (3) The misdemeanor charge is filed directly in superior court." RSA 625:9, IV(c)

So a carrying or selling charge under RSA 159:16 is presumptively a class B misdemeanor, but it can be a class A misdemeanor in the situations that paragraph lists. The sentencing limits come from RSA 651:2: a class B misdemeanor may be punished by a fine or other sanctions "which shall not include incarceration or probation," with a fine of up to $1,200, while a class A misdemeanor carries up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000.

People with felony convictions

RSA 159:3 names metallic knuckles directly:

"I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if he: (a) Owns or has in his possession or under his control, a pistol, revolver, or other firearm, or slungshot, metallic knuckles, billies, stiletto, switchblade knife, sword cane, pistol cane, blackjack, dagger, dirk-knife, or other deadly weapon as defined in RSA 625:11, V; and (b) Has been convicted in either a state or federal court in this or any other state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of: (1) A felony against the person or property of another; or (2) A felony under RSA 318-B; or (3) A felony violation of the laws of any other state, the District of Columbia, the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any territory or possession of the United States relating to controlled drugs as defined in RSA 318-B." RSA 159:3, I

Both parts, (a) and (b), must be met. Weapons of a person convicted under this section are confiscated to the use of the state (RSA 159:3, II), and it is an affirmative defense that an out-of-state felony would not have been a felony in New Hampshire when it was committed (RSA 159:3, III). Unlike RSA 159:16, this section reaches simple ownership and possession. RSA 159:5 says RSA 159:3 does not apply to law enforcement officers, bailiffs and court officers responsible for court security, members of the armed services and the national guard when on duty, organizations authorized by law to purchase or receive such weapons, and authorized military or civil organizations when parading. The separate armed career criminal statute, RSA 159:3-a, lists firearms only and does not name knuckles.

Knuckles used in a violent crime

RSA 159:15 adds a separate offense:

"I. A person shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if that person uses or employs slung shot, metallic knuckles, billies, or other deadly weapon as defined in RSA 625:11, V during the commission or attempted commission of a violent crime. II. "Violent crime," for purposes of this section, means "violent crime" as defined in RSA 651:5, XIII." RSA 159:15

Courtrooms and the deadly weapon definition

Some New Hampshire rules do not name knuckles and instead turn on the general definition of "deadly weapon":

"V. "Deadly weapon" means any firearm, knife or other substance or thing which, in the manner it is used, intended to be used, or threatened to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury." RSA 625:11, V

The courtroom statute is one of them:

"I. No person shall knowingly carry a loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver, or firearm or any other deadly weapon as defined in RSA 625:11, V, whether open or concealed or whether licensed or unlicensed, upon the person or within any of the person's possessions owned or within the person's control in a courtroom or area used by a court. Whoever violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class B felony. ... V. It shall be an affirmative defense to any prosecution under paragraph I that there was no notice of the provisions of paragraph I posted in a conspicuous place at each public entrance to the court building." RSA 159:19, I, V

Because the deadly weapon definition depends on how an item is used, intended to be used, or threatened to be used, whether knuckles fall under RSA 159:19 depends on the facts. The same is true of domestic violence protective orders: under RSA 173-B:5, II, "The defendant shall be prohibited from purchasing, receiving, or possessing any deadly weapons and any and all firearms and ammunition for the duration of the order."

Schools and jails

New Hampshire's Safe School Zones Act treats "Unlawful possession or sale of a firearm or other dangerous weapon under RSA 159," the chapter that contains RSA 159:16, as an act of theft, destruction, or violence (RSA 193-D:1, I(d)). A "safe school zone" means "an area inclusive of any school property or school buses," and "school" covers public and private elementary, secondary and secondary vocational-technical schools, not colleges (RSA 193-D:1, II and III).

A person convicted of such an act in a safe school zone may receive an extended term of imprisonment under RSA 651:6 (RSA 193-D:3). For a misdemeanor, an extended term is a minimum of not more than 2 years and a maximum of not more than 5 years, and it requires a jury finding and written notice to the defendant at least 21 days before jury selection (RSA 651:6, I(i) and III(b)). School employees must report the act in writing to a supervisor, and the principal must report it to local law enforcement (RSA 193-D:4). A school board may also, after a hearing, extend a pupil's suspension by up to 10 more school days for it (RSA 193:13, I(b)).

Jails and prisons. Knowingly providing a person in official custody with anything whose possession by that person is contrary to law or regulation is a class B felony under RSA 642:7, I.

Plastic and other non-metal knuckles

RSA 159:16, 159:15 and 159:3 all say "metallic knuckles," and no New Hampshire statute defines that term; RSA 159:1 defines only pistol and revolver. No New Hampshire court decision on plastic or composite knuckles is discussed here, so whether a non-metal item is covered remains an open question. A non-metal item could still matter under rules that turn on the deadly weapon definition, such as the courtroom statute, depending on how it is used.

Minors

RSA 159:16 sets no age rule. New Hampshire's sale-to-minors provision in RSA 159:12 covers pistols and revolvers, and RSA 159:24 regulates sales of martial arts weapons to people under 18:

"I. "Martial arts weapon" means any kind of sword, knife, spear, throwing star, throwing dart, or nunchaku or any other object designed for use in the martial arts which is capable of being used as a lethal or dangerous weapon. II. Any person who shall sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer any martial arts weapon to a person under the age of 18 without first obtaining the written consent of such person's parent or guardian shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." RSA 159:24

Neither section names knuckles. Selling knuckles to anyone, of any age, is already within RSA 159:16.

Local rules

RSA 159:26 gives the state authority over "firearms, firearms components, ammunition, firearms supplies, or knives." Its express ban on local regulation is narrower:

"Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, no ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision may regulate the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing, permitting, taxation, or other matter pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state." RSA 159:26, I

Knuckles are named in neither list. Check your town 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 knife rules are in New Hampshire knife laws, sprays and stun devices are covered in New Hampshire pepper spray and stun gun laws, and when force may be used at all is covered in New Hampshire self-defense laws.

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• New Hampshire knife laws
• New Hampshire pepper spray and stun gun laws
• New Hampshire self-defense laws
• Maine brass knuckles laws
• Vermont brass knuckles laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in New Hampshire?

RSA 159:16 makes it a misdemeanor to sell metallic knuckles, possess them with intent to sell, or carry them on the person, except as provided by the laws of the state. Its text does not list simple possession without carrying or intent to sell. People with qualifying felony convictions may not own or possess them at all under RSA 159:3.

What is the penalty for carrying brass knuckles in New Hampshire?

RSA 159:16 calls the offense a misdemeanor without naming a class, so under RSA 625:9, IV(c) it is presumptively a class B misdemeanor: no jail or probation and a fine of up to $1,200. It becomes a class A misdemeanor, with up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000, if the state files notice by arraignment that it will seek class A penalties or files the charge directly in superior court. The knuckles are also confiscated. In a safe school zone, an extended term of up to 5 years for a misdemeanor may apply (RSA 193-D:3; RSA 651:6).

Can I carry brass knuckles in my pocket in New Hampshire?

RSA 159:16 covers carrying metallic knuckles on the person and does not distinguish open from concealed carry. The exceptions in RSA 159:17 cover officers of the law, licensed hunters and anglers when lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing, and certain on-duty workers and parading organizations.

Does a New Hampshire license to carry cover brass knuckles?

The license to carry under RSA 159:6 authorizes carrying a loaded pistol or revolver. It is not a license for metallic knuckles, which RSA 159:16 treats separately.

Can a felon have brass knuckles in New Hampshire?

No. RSA 159:3 makes it a class B felony for a person convicted of a felony against the person or property of another, or a listed drug felony, to own, possess or control metallic knuckles. A class B felony carries up to seven years under RSA 651:2.

Are plastic brass knuckles covered by New Hampshire law?

RSA 159:16 names metallic knuckles but no statute defines the term, and no New Hampshire court decision on plastic or composite knuckles is discussed here. Whether a non-metal item is covered is an open question.