Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Rhode Island? (2026 Law)

Brass knuckles are illegal for most people in Rhode Island. R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-42(a)(1) says no person shall "carry or possess" metal knuckles, and a violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in prison, or both. The main exception, in 11-47-43, covers possession for a curio collection or another lawful purpose, without intent to use the knuckles unlawfully.

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 Rhode Island state statutes in Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws (sections 11-47-3, 11-47-5, 11-47-8, 11-47-26, 11-47-42 through 11-47-47, 11-47-58, 11-47-59, 11-47-60 and 11-47-60.2), the prison-contraband statute 11-25-14 and the school-suspension statute 16-21-18. It does not cover city or town ordinances, Rhode Island court decisions, courthouse or state-building security rules, college and university policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

What Rhode Island law says about metal knuckles

Rhode Island's statute uses the term "metal knuckles" and puts them on a list of banned weapons:

"(a)(1) No person shall carry or possess or attempt to use against another any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a blackjack, slingshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stun-gun, or the so called “Kung-Fu” weapons." R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-42(a)(1)

The ban covers three separate acts: carrying, possessing, and attempting to use the weapon against another person. It is not limited to concealed carry and is not tied to any place.

The definitions section of the weapons chapter, 11-47-2, has no entry for knuckles, and 11-47-42 does not define "metal knuckles." The statute does not say whether plastic, polymer or other non-metal knuckle devices fall within "metal knuckles."

A second subsection of 11-47-42 separately bars wearing or carrying concealed "any of the above-mentioned instruments or weapons," along with razors and knives with a blade longer than three inches (11-47-42(a)(3)). For knives, see our guide to Rhode Island knife laws.

Penalties for carrying or possessing brass knuckles

The penalty is written into 11-47-42 itself:

"Any person violating the provisions of these subsections shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, and the weapon so found shall be confiscated." R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-42(a)

The same subsection sets a higher range for anyone who violates it "while he or she is incarcerated within the confines of the adult correctional institutions": a fine of $1,000 to $3,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both, with the weapon confiscated.

Chapter 11-47 also has a default penalty of up to $1,000, up to five years, or both, but it applies only "unless otherwise specified" (11-47-26). Because 11-47-42 specifies its own penalty, the one-year maximum is the one written for knuckles.

Exceptions: collectors and lawful purposes

Rhode Island's ban is not absolute. Section 11-47-43 limits the possession part of it:

"The provisions of § 11-47-42, so far as they forbid the possession of certain instruments or weapons, shall not apply to any person who possesses or is making a collection of the weapons as curios or for educational, professional, scientific, or any other lawful purpose, without intent to use the instrument or weapon unlawfully." R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-43

The exemption is written for possession. It does not mention carrying, and it requires the absence of intent to use the knuckles unlawfully. The same section's exemption for sheriffs, constables, police and guards applies only to a "billy," not to metal knuckles.

How the ban is enforced

Rhode Island shifts part of the burden to the person found with the weapon. Under 11-47-44, possessing metal knuckles, or carrying any weapon that 11-47-42 forbids, "shall be evidence that the possession, use, wearing, or carrying, as the case may be, of any the instrument or weapon, is unlawful, but the respondent in any the case may show any fact that would render the possession or use, or wearing or carrying of the instrument or weapon lawful."

Any officer authorized to make arrests may arrest a person found with a weapon described in 11-47-42 without a complaint or warrant whenever the officer "has reasonable ground to suspect" the person has it contrary to law. A person arrested this way may be held a reasonable time, not exceeding 24 hours (11-47-45).

Brass knuckles in a car

Section 11-47-42 has no separate rule for vehicles. Its ban on carrying or possessing metal knuckles is not limited to any place, so the same rule and the same penalty apply whether knuckles are on a person, at home or in a vehicle. The collector exemption in 11-47-43 is the only statutory route to lawful possession.

Gun permits do not cover knuckles

Rhode Island's pistol license is a firearm license: 11-47-8(a) requires a license or permit to carry "a pistol or revolver." Section 11-47-46 provides that sections 11-47-42 through 11-47-45 "shall not be construed to relate to the possession and carrying of air guns, pistols or firearms of any description." Nothing in 11-47-42 exempts a pistol-license holder from the ban on metal knuckles.

Selling brass knuckles to minors

Section 11-47-42(b) adds a separate sales offense:

"(b) No person shall sell to a person under eighteen (18) years of age, without the written authorization of the minor’s parent or legal guardian, any stink bomb, blackjack, slingshot, bill, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stungun, paint ball gun, so called “kung-fu” weapons, dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, razor, or knife of any description having a blade of more than three inches (3″) in length as described in subsection (a) of this section, or any multi-pronged star ..." R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-42(b)

The penalty for selling to a minor is a fine of $1,000 to $3,000, imprisonment of one to five years, or both, and the weapons are confiscated. A minor who receives knuckles remains subject to the general ban on carrying or possessing them in 11-47-42(a)(1).

Schools

Rhode Island's school-grounds statute is broader than firearms:

"(a)(1) No person shall have in his or her possession any firearm or other weapons on school grounds." R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-60(a)(1)

"School grounds" means the property of a public or private elementary or secondary school, portions of buildings and other structures on school grounds being used for a school-sponsored activity, and school-provided transportation (11-47-60(a)(2)). A conviction carries imprisonment of one to five years, or a fine of $500 to $5,000 (11-47-60(a)(3)). A juvenile adjudicated delinquent under this section also loses his or her driver's license for up to six months, or may have eligibility for a license delayed up to six months (11-47-60(a)(4)). The section "shall not apply to colleges, universities, or junior colleges" (11-47-60(c)).

Section 11-47-60 does not define "other weapons." A companion section, 11-47-60.2(a), ties school notification to the knuckles statute: if a student is found carrying "a weapon, as defined in § 11-47-42," the principal or designee must immediately notify the student's parents and the local police and turn the weapon over to the local enforcement agency.

The mandatory one-year school suspension in 16-21-18 applies to bringing or possessing "a weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, a firearm or realistic replica of a firearm." That statute does not name knuckles.

Prisons

Besides the higher 11-47-42 penalty range for incarcerated people, Rhode Island's contraband statute makes it a crime to convey "any article" into the adult correctional institutions without the consent of the director of corrections, or to convey to any prisoner "any article that could be used as a weapon" without that consent. Each is punishable by up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both (11-25-14(a), (b)).

Felons and armed-crime laws

Rhode Island's prohibited-person statute, 11-47-5, applies to firearms: it bars certain people from purchasing, owning, carrying, transporting or possessing "any firearm." It does not name knuckles, which are already banned for everyone under 11-47-42.

The chapter's armed-crime statutes do not name knuckles either. Section 11-47-3 covers committing a crime of violence while armed with "any firearm, explosive substance, noxious liquid, gas or substance, or acid," and 11-47-59 covers committing a crime of violence while possessing "a knife with a blade more than three (3) inches long." Attempting to use metal knuckles against another person is itself one of the acts barred by 11-47-42(a)(1).

Window displays

Under 11-47-47, no person, firm or corporation may display "any dagger, dirk, bowie knife, stiletto, metal knuckles, or blackjack" in a place of business by means of a window display. The fine is up to $25 for a first offense and $100 for each later offense.

Can Rhode Island cities or towns regulate knuckles?

Rhode Island's preemption statute reserves to the state "the control of firearms, ammunition, or their component parts" (11-47-58). It does not mention other weapons. If you have a question about a local rule, check your city or town ordinances or call the local police department's non-emergency line.

The same statute that bans knuckles also lists stun guns; see our guide to Rhode Island pepper spray and stun gun laws.

Rhode Island penalties at a glance

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Rhode Island knife laws
• Rhode Island pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Rhode Island self-defense laws
• Massachusetts brass knuckles laws
• Connecticut brass knuckles laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Rhode Island?

No, for most people. R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-42(a)(1) bars any person from carrying or possessing metal knuckles, with a penalty of up to $1,000, up to one year, or both. Section 11-47-43 exempts possession as part of a curio collection or for another lawful purpose, without intent to use them unlawfully.

Can I own brass knuckles in Rhode Island as a collector?

Section 11-47-43 says the possession ban in 11-47-42 does not apply to a person who possesses or is making a collection of the weapons as curios or for an educational, professional, scientific or other lawful purpose, without intent to use them unlawfully. The exemption is written for possession; it does not mention carrying.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car in Rhode Island?

Section 11-47-42 does not mention vehicles. Its ban on carrying or possessing metal knuckles is not limited to any place, so there is no separate rule that allows them in a car.

What is the penalty for brass knuckles in Rhode Island?

Carrying or possessing metal knuckles is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in prison, or both, with the knuckles confiscated (11-47-42(a)). The range rises to $1,000 to $3,000, one to five years, or both for a person incarcerated in the adult correctional institutions.

Can you sell brass knuckles to a minor in Rhode Island?

Section 11-47-42(b) bars selling metal knuckles to a person under 18 without the written authorization of the minor's parent or legal guardian. A violation carries a fine of $1,000 to $3,000, one to five years, or both.

Does a Rhode Island gun permit let me carry brass knuckles?

No. The pistol license covers pistols and revolvers (11-47-8), section 11-47-46 says sections 11-47-42 to 11-47-45 do not relate to firearms, and 11-47-42 contains no exemption for license holders.