Are Brass Knuckles Legal in New York? (2026 Penal Law 265.01)

Brass knuckles are illegal to possess in New York. Penal Law 265.01(1) makes it criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor, to possess "plastic knuckles" or "metal knuckles," and a prior conviction of any crime turns the same possession into a class D felony under 265.02(1). 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 New York State Penal Law: the weapon definitions in 265.00 and 10.00, criminal possession of a weapon in 265.01 and 265.02, the under-16 rule in 265.05, the school-grounds offenses in 265.01-a and 265.06, manufacture, transport and disposition in 265.10, the vehicle presumption in 265.15, the exemptions in 265.20, stalking in the second degree in 120.55, prison contraband in 205.00, 205.20 and 205.25, and the sentence and fine limits in 70.00, 70.15, 80.00 and 80.05. It does not cover New York City or other local laws, school discipline under the Education Law beyond the evidence rule in Education Law 3214(3)(c)(1), court or corrections facility rules, federal law or property, or the law of other states.

What New York law says about brass knuckles

New York lists knuckles among the items a person may not possess at all. Penal Law 265.01 provides:

"A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree when: (1) He or she possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, wrist-brace type slingshot or slungshot, shuriken, or throwing star; ... Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor." N.Y. Penal Law 265.01(1)

Subdivision (1) has no intent element, no requirement that the knuckles be concealed, and no place element. Possessing them is the offense, wherever that happens.

What counts as knuckles under New York law

The statute uses the terms "metal knuckles" and "plastic knuckles." "Brass knuckles" is not the statutory term, and the definitions section of article 265, Penal Law 265.00, does not define either "metal knuckles" or "plastic knuckles." Because both are listed, a set does not need to be metal to fall within 265.01(1).

Knuckle knives

Section 265.00 does define the combination item:

"5-b. "Metal knuckle knife" means a weapon that, when closed, cannot function as a set of plastic knuckles or metal knuckles, nor as a knife and when open, can function as both a set of plastic knuckles or metal knuckles as well as a knife. 5-c. "Automatic knife" includes a stiletto, a switchblade knife, a cane sword, a pilum ballistic knife, and a metal knuckle knife." N.Y. Penal Law 265.00(5-b), (5-c)

A metal knuckle knife is listed in 265.01(1) by name, so possessing one is the same class A misdemeanor. The definition is specific to items that fold: one that cannot work as knuckles or a knife when closed and works as both when open. How the statute treats a fixed blade with a knuckle guard is not addressed by that definition. For the knife rules generally, see our guide to New York knife laws.

Owning, carrying and keeping brass knuckles

Because 265.01(1) reaches possession itself, owning a set at home, carrying it concealed or openly, and keeping it in a bag or a car are all possession. The text of 265.01 contains no home or business exception for knuckles, and it does not distinguish concealed carry from open carry.

Brass knuckles in a car

New York has a specific rule on who is presumed to possess a weapon found in a vehicle. Penal Law 265.15(3) provides:

"3. The presence in an automobile, other than a stolen one or a public omnibus, of any firearm, ... switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sandbag, sandclub or slungshot is presumptive evidence of its possession by all persons occupying such automobile at the time such weapon, instrument or appliance is found, except under the following circumstances: (a) if such weapon, instrument or appliance is found upon the person of one of the occupants therein; (b) if such weapon, instrument or appliance is found in an automobile which is being operated for hire by a duly licensed driver in the due, lawful and proper pursuit of his or her trade, then such presumption shall not apply to the driver; or (c) if the weapon so found is a pistol or revolver and one of the occupants, not present under duress, has in his or her possession a valid license to have and carry concealed the same." N.Y. Penal Law 265.15(3)

For knuckles, exceptions (a) and (b) are the relevant ones: the presumption does not reach everyone in the car if the set is found on one occupant's person, and it does not apply to a licensed for-hire driver working in the trade. Exception (c) applies only to a pistol or revolver.

A stolen vehicle is left out of 265.15(3) because 265.15(2) covers it separately: the presence in any stolen vehicle of an item listed in 265.01, knuckles included, is presumptive evidence of possession by all persons occupying the vehicle, and that subdivision lists no exceptions.

Making, selling, shipping and giving away knuckles

Section 265.10 reaches the supply side as well as possession:

"1. ... Any person who manufactures or causes to be manufactured any switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, undetectable knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, throwing star, chuka stick, sandbag, sandclub or slungshot is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 2. ... Any person who transports or ships as merchandise any firearm, other than an assault weapon, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, undetectable knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, throwing star, chuka stick, sandbag or slungshot is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. ... 4. Any person who disposes of any of the weapons, instruments or appliances specified in subdivision one of section 265.01, except a firearm, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and he is guilty of a class D felony if he has previously been convicted of any crime." N.Y. Penal Law 265.10(1), (2), (4)

Three points stand out:

• Manufacturing knuckles, plastic knuckles or a metal knuckle knife is a class A misdemeanor under 265.10(1).
• Transporting or shipping as merchandise plastic or metal knuckles is a class A misdemeanor under 265.10(2). That subdivision lists knuckles but does not list the metal knuckle knife.
• Disposing of knuckles is a class A misdemeanor under 265.10(4), and a class D felony if the person has previously been convicted of any crime. Section 265.00(6) defines "dispose of" broadly: "to dispose of, give, give away, lease, loan, keep for sale, offer, offer for sale, sell, transfer and otherwise dispose of." Selling a set, lending one to a friend and giving one as a gift all fall within it.

A buyer who orders knuckles online and receives them in New York possesses them under 265.01(1) once they arrive.

Prior convictions: when knuckles become a felony

New York has no separate felon-in-possession statute for knuckles. Instead, an earlier conviction of any crime raises the grade of the ordinary possession offense. Penal Law 10.00(6) defines a "crime" as a misdemeanor or a felony, so a prior conviction only for a violation or a traffic infraction does not trigger 265.02(1). Penal Law 265.02 provides:

"A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree when: (1) Such person commits the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree as defined in subdivision one, two, three or five of section 265.01, and has been previously convicted of any crime; ... Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree is a class D felony." N.Y. Penal Law 265.02(1)

The trigger is a previous conviction of "any crime," not only a felony. Section 265.01(4), which deals with rifles, shotguns and antique firearms after certain convictions, names firearms only and does not reach knuckles.

Who is exempt

Section 265.20 lists who the weapons prohibitions do not reach. Its first paragraph provides that sections 265.01, 265.02, 265.10 and 265.15, among others, "shall not apply to":

"1. Possession of any of the weapons, instruments, appliances or substances specified in sections 265.01, 265.01-c, 265.02, 265.03, 265.04, 265.05, 265.50, 265.55 and 270.05 by the following: (a) Persons in the military service of the state of New York when duly authorized by regulations issued by the adjutant general to possess the same. (b) Police officers ... (c) Peace officers ... (d) Persons in the military or other service of the United States ... (e) Persons employed in fulfilling defense contracts ... (f) A person voluntarily surrendering such weapon, instrument, appliance or substance ..." N.Y. Penal Law 265.20(a)(1)

Each listed category carries conditions set out in the full statute. None of the categories in 265.20(a)(1) covers an ordinary owner, a collector or a person carrying knuckles for self-defense. Section 265.20 also contains carve-outs for billies and blackjacks that do not name knuckles. Its automatic-knife carve-out, 265.20(d), can reach a metal knuckle knife, because 265.00(5-c) counts that item as an automatic knife, but it covers only a cutlery and knife museum established under Education Law 216-c and the museum's directors, officers, employees or agents while acting in furtherance of its business. It does not cover private collectors or plain metal or plastic knuckles.

The voluntary-surrender paragraph, 265.20(a)(1)(f), also lets an executor, administrator or other lawful possessor of a decedent's property keep such an item for a period not over fifteen days. If it is not lawfully disposed of within that period, it must be delivered to an official described in that paragraph or to the superintendent of state police.

Schools and college campuses

New York's school-grounds weapon felony, Penal Law 265.01-a, covers "a rifle, shotgun, or firearm" only, and the separate school-grounds offense in 265.06 covers air and spring guns. Neither names knuckles. That does not make knuckles lawful at school: 265.01(1) has no place element, so possessing them on school grounds, on a school bus or on a college campus is the same class A misdemeanor (or class D felony after a prior conviction) as anywhere else. Students can also face school discipline. Under Education Law 3214(3)(c)(1), when a suspension is based on a student's possession on school grounds or school property of an item listed in Penal Law 265.01(1), knuckles included, the hearing officer or superintendent is not barred from considering whether the item is admissible as evidence, even if a court in a criminal or juvenile delinquency proceeding determined that it was recovered through an unlawful search or seizure. Other school discipline rules are outside this page.

Minors

Section 265.01 has no age element. New York's under-16 weapons statute, Penal Law 265.05, reads:

"It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of sixteen to possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon in which the propelling force is a spring or air, or any gun or any instrument or weapon in or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, or any dangerous knife; ... A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged a juvenile delinquent." N.Y. Penal Law 265.05

Section 265.05 does not name knuckles. Adults who sell, give or lend knuckles to anyone, a minor included, fall under the disposition offense in 265.10(4).

Jails and prisons

Bringing knuckles into a jail or prison can be charged as promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a class D felony. Penal Law 205.25 provides:

"A person is guilty of promoting prison contraband in the first degree when: 1. He knowingly and unlawfully introduces any dangerous contraband into a detention facility; or 2. Being a person confined in a detention facility, he knowingly and unlawfully makes, obtains or possesses any dangerous contraband. Promoting prison contraband in the first degree is a class D felony." N.Y. Penal Law 205.25

Section 205.00(4) defines "dangerous contraband" as "contraband which is capable of such use as may endanger the safety or security of a detention facility or any person therein." Knuckles are not named in either section, so whether a given set qualifies turns on that capability test.

Section 205.00(3) defines "contraband" as "any article or thing which a person confined in a detention facility is prohibited from obtaining or possessing by statute, rule, regulation or order." Knowingly and unlawfully introducing any contraband into a detention facility, or making, obtaining or possessing it while confined there, is promoting prison contraband in the second degree under Penal Law 205.20, a class A misdemeanor.

Knuckles as a deadly weapon and in other crimes

The Penal Law's general definition of deadly weapon names knuckles expressly:

"12. "Deadly weapon" means any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, or a switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, dagger, billy, blackjack, plastic knuckles, or metal knuckles." N.Y. Penal Law 10.00(12)

That definition matters in offenses that turn on the use of a "deadly weapon," where knuckles count without any need to show how dangerous a particular set was.

Knuckles are also named in the stalking statute. Under Penal Law 120.55(1), a person commits stalking in the second degree when he or she commits stalking in the third degree as defined in 120.50(3) "and in the course of and in furtherance of the commission of such offense: (i) displays, or possesses and threatens the use of," a list of weapons that includes "plastic knuckles, metal knuckles." Stalking in the second degree is a class E felony, and under 70.00(2)(e) the term for a class E felony may not exceed four years.

Penalties

Under Penal Law 70.15(1), a class A misdemeanor sentence "shall be a definite sentence" that "shall not exceed three hundred sixty-four days." Under 80.05(1), the fine for a class A misdemeanor may not exceed one thousand dollars. Under 70.00, the term for a class D felony "shall be fixed by the court, and shall not exceed seven years." Under 80.00(1), the fine for a felony may not exceed the higher of $5,000 or double the amount of the defendant's gain from the commission of the crime.

City and local rules

Local governments in New York, including New York City, have their own codes. This page covers only state law. Check your city or county code, or call your local police department's non-emergency line, about any local rule.

Self-defense alternatives under New York law

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

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in New York?

No. Penal Law 265.01(1) makes possessing metal knuckles or plastic knuckles criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor, and 265.02(1) raises it to a class D felony for anyone previously convicted of any crime.

Can I keep brass knuckles at home in New York?

Section 265.01(1) makes possession itself the offense, and its text has no exception for the home. The exemptions in 265.20(a)(1) cover the military, police, peace officers, federal service, defense contractors and voluntary surrender, not private owners.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in New York?

No. Penal Law 265.01(1) lists plastic knuckles by name alongside metal knuckles, so possessing a plastic set is the same class A misdemeanor.

Are knuckle knives legal in New York?

A metal knuckle knife, defined in 265.00(5-b) as a weapon that works as neither knuckles nor a knife when closed and as both when open, is listed in 265.01(1), so possessing one is a class A misdemeanor. Section 265.00(5-c) also counts it as an automatic knife.

What is the penalty for brass knuckles in New York?

Possession is a class A misdemeanor under 265.01(1), punishable by up to 364 days (70.15(1)) and a fine of up to $1,000 (80.05(1)). With a prior conviction of any crime it is a class D felony under 265.02(1), with a maximum term of up to seven years under 70.00.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car in New York?

Keeping them in a car is still possession under 265.01(1). Under 265.15(3), knuckles found in a car other than a stolen one or a public omnibus are presumptive evidence of possession by every occupant, unless they are found on one person or the for-hire driver exception applies. In a stolen vehicle, 265.15(2) makes them presumptive evidence of possession by all occupants, with no listed exceptions.

Is it legal to sell brass knuckles in New York?

No. Section 265.10(4) makes disposing of knuckles, which 265.00(6) defines to include selling, giving, lending and offering for sale, a class A misdemeanor, or a class D felony if the seller was previously convicted of any crime.

Are brass knuckles a deadly weapon in New York?

Yes. The Penal Law's general definition of deadly weapon in 10.00(12) expressly includes plastic knuckles, metal knuckles and metal knuckle knives.