Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Tennessee? (2026 T.C.A. 39-17-1302)

Brass knuckles are illegal in Tennessee. Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-1302(a) makes it an offense to intentionally or knowingly possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell knuckles, and the offense is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both. Carrying knuckles with intent to go armed on school property, or for the purpose of going armed in a building where judicial proceedings are in progress, is a Class E felony. 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 Tennessee state law in Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13 of the Tennessee Code Annotated (the knuckles definition in 39-17-1301, the prohibited-weapons offense in 39-17-1302, the sale-to-minors statute in 39-17-1303, courthouses in 39-17-1306, carrying offenses in 39-17-1307, schools in 39-17-1309, parks in 39-17-1311, local preemption in 39-17-1314 and confiscation in 39-17-1317), penal institutions in 39-16-201, school suspension grounds in 49-6-3401, and the sentence ranges in 40-35-111. It does not cover city or county ordinances, school system policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

What Tennessee law says about brass knuckles

Tennessee lists knuckles among its prohibited weapons. Section 39-17-1302(a) opens:

"(a) A person commits an offense who intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs or sells:" T.C.A. 39-17-1302(a)

The items on that list include explosives and explosive weapons, machine guns, hoax devices, "Knuckles," and "Any other implement for infliction of serious bodily injury or death that has no common lawful purpose." A 2022 public act deleted short-barrel rifles and shotguns from the list; knuckles remain on it.

The offense has no carry, concealment or place element. Possessing knuckles is the offense, whether they are at home, in a pocket, in a bag or in a vehicle. Transporting and selling them are separate ways to commit the same offense.

Section 39-17-1302 sets the class for each item. The explosive, machine-gun and hoax-device items are felonies, while knuckles and the catch-all "any other implement" item are a Class A misdemeanor.

What counts as knuckles in Tennessee

Tennessee defines the term in 39-17-1301, which applies throughout Part 13 "unless the context otherwise requires":

"“Knuckles” means any instrument that consists of finger rings or guards made of a hard substance and that is designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the knuckles;" T.C.A. 39-17-1301

Two features of the definition matter:

• Material. The definition says "a hard substance." It does not mention brass or require metal, so plastic, polymer, wood or other hard knuckles fit the definition in the same way brass ones do.
• Purpose. The item must be "designed, made or adapted" to inflict serious bodily injury or death by striking with a fist enclosed in the knuckles. Whether a particular decorative item, belt buckle or novelty piece meets that element is not addressed by the statute text, and no Tennessee court decision on that question is discussed here.

The definition does not separately address combination knuckle-and-blade items; whether one is treated as knuckles turns on the same "finger rings or guards" and purpose language. For Tennessee's knife rules, see our guide to Tennessee knife laws.

Defenses and exceptions

Section 39-17-1302(b) lists defenses. In summary, it is a defense that the person's conduct was incident to official duty in the military, law enforcement or a penal institution, or to a lawful transaction with such an organization. The remaining defenses read:

"(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person's conduct: ... (4) Was incident to using the weapon in a manner reasonably related to a lawful dramatic performance or scientific research; (5) Was incident to displaying the weapon in a public museum or exhibition; or (6) Was licensed by the state of Tennessee as a manufacturer, importer or dealer in weapons; provided, that the manufacture, import, purchase, possession, sale or disposition of weapons is authorized and incident to carrying on the business for which licensed and is for scientific or research purposes or sale or disposition to an organization designated in subdivision (b)(1)." T.C.A. 39-17-1302(b)

Subsection (c) adds an affirmative defense, which the defendant must prove:

"(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the person must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) The person's conduct was relative to dealing with the weapon solely as a curio, ornament or keepsake, and if the weapon is a type described in subdivisions (a)(1)-(3), that it was in a nonfunctioning condition and could not readily be made operable; or (2) The possession was brief and occurred as a consequence of having found the weapon or taken it from an aggressor." T.C.A. 39-17-1302(c), as amended by Pub. Ch. 513 (2025)

Public Chapter 513 of 2025, effective July 1, 2025, changed that cross-reference from (a)(1)-(4) to (a)(1)-(3), so the nonfunctioning-condition requirement applies to the explosive, delivery-device and machine-gun items. For knuckles, the curio defense requires only that the conduct was "solely as a curio, ornament or keepsake." The burden is on the defendant to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.

None of the defenses in (b) or (c) covers carrying knuckles for self-defense, holding a handgun carry permit, or ordinary possession by an adult at home.

Schools, colleges and school buses

Knuckles are named in Tennessee's school weapons statute. Section 39-17-1309(b)(1) provides:

"It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed, any firearm, explosive, explosive weapon, bowie knife, hawk bill knife, ice pick, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, knuckles or any other weapon of like kind, not used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field or any other property owned, operated, or while in use by any board of education, school, college or university board of trustees, regents or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution." T.C.A. 39-17-1309(b)(1)

The statute reaches public and private schools, school buses, and college and university property. It requires "the intent to go armed," and it does not apply to items "used solely for instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes." The statute lists further exceptions, mainly for law enforcement and military personnel and others whose roles require them to be armed.

Public Chapter 142 of 2023, effective July 1, 2023, rewrote part of subsection (b). It added an exception for a nonstudent adult who possesses a pocket knife on school property for the sole purpose of voting, if the knife is concealed and not handled, and it provided that "A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class E felony." The voting exception covers pocket knives only, not knuckles.

A Class E felony carries a sentence of not less than one year nor more than six years, and the jury may assess a fine not to exceed $3,000, under T.C.A. 40-35-111(b)(5).

Separately from the criminal law, Tennessee's education code lists "Possession of a knife and other weapons, as defined in 39-17-1301 on school property" among the grounds on which a principal may suspend a student (T.C.A. 49-6-3401(a)(8)). Expulsion rules and school system policies are outside this page.

Courthouses

Section 39-17-1306 covers buildings where courts are sitting:

"(a) No person shall intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carry on or about the person while inside any building in which judicial proceedings are in progress any weapon prohibited by 39-17-1302(a), for the purpose of going armed; provided, that if the weapon carried is a firearm, the person is in violation of this section regardless of whether the weapon is carried for the purpose of going armed. (b) Any person violating subsection (a) commits a Class E felony." T.C.A. 39-17-1306(a), (b)

Knuckles are a weapon prohibited by 39-17-1302(a), so carrying them for the purpose of going armed inside a building where judicial proceedings are in progress is a Class E felony. The "purpose of going armed" element applies to knuckles; the statute waives it only for firearms. Subsection (c) exempts on-duty officers, military personnel, bailiffs and court officers, and certain others named in the statute.

Public parks and recreation facilities

Section 39-17-1311 covers government recreation property:

"(a) It is an offense for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, with the intent to go armed, any weapon prohibited by 39-17-1302(a), not used solely for instructional, display or sanctioned ceremonial purposes, in or on the grounds of any public park, playground, civic center or other building facility, area or property owned, used or operated by any municipal, county or state government, or instrumentality thereof, for recreational purposes. ... (c) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor." T.C.A. 39-17-1311(a), (c)

This is a separate Class A misdemeanor from the 39-17-1302 possession offense. The statute lists exceptions in subsection (b).

Jails and prisons

Tennessee's penal-institution contraband statute uses the general word "weapon":

"(b) It is unlawful for any person to: (1) Knowingly and with unlawful intent take, send, or otherwise cause to be taken into any penal institution where prisoners are quartered or under custodial supervision: (A) Any weapon, ammunition, or explosive; ... or (2) Knowingly and with unlawful intent possess any of the following materials while present in any penal institution where prisoners are quartered or under custodial supervision without the express written consent of the chief administrator of the institution: (A) Any weapon, ammunition, or explosive; ... (c)(1) A violation of subdivision (b)(1)(A) or (b)(2)(A) is a Class C felony." T.C.A. 39-16-201(b), (c)(1)

The section does not define "weapon" or name knuckles. Knuckles are a prohibited weapon under 39-17-1302(a), which is relevant to whether they count, but the statute itself does not say so expressly.

Carrying offenses and felons

Tennessee's general carrying statute is not the knuckles rule. Section 39-17-1307(a)(1) provides that "A person commits an offense who carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club," and 39-17-1301 defines a club as "any instrument that is specially designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument." Knuckles have their own definition and their own offense in 39-17-1302, and whether a court would also treat them as a club under 39-17-1307(a) is not addressed by the statute text.

Section 39-17-1307(d)(1) separately makes it an offense when a person "possesses a deadly weapon other than a firearm with the intent to employ it during the commission of, attempt to commit, or escape from a dangerous offense as defined in 39-17-1324." Subsection (d)(2) covers possessing any deadly weapon with intent to employ it during any other offense, and a violation of either is a Class E felony (39-17-1307(d)(3)(A)).

Tennessee's felon-in-possession provisions, 39-17-1307(b) and (c), cover firearms and handguns (and, since 2025, firearm ammunition). They do not reach knuckles, and the dangerous-felony enhancement in 39-17-1324 is limited to firearms. A person with a felony record is still subject to the general knuckles ban in 39-17-1302, like everyone else.

Minors

The 39-17-1302 offense has no age element and no exception for minors, so a minor who possesses knuckles is covered by it. Tennessee's unlawful sale, loan or gift statute, 39-17-1303(a)(1), applies to "a firearm to a minor" and does not name knuckles, but selling knuckles to anyone of any age is already an offense under 39-17-1302(a).

Confiscation

Section 39-17-1317(a)(1) provides that "Any weapon that is possessed, used, or sold in violation of the law shall be confiscated by a law enforcement officer and declared to be contraband by a court of record exercising criminal jurisdiction." The section then sets out how confiscated weapons are disposed of, including public sale, use by law enforcement, or relinquishment as the section provides.

City and county rules

Tennessee limits local weapons rules. Public Chapter 329 of 2025, effective July 1, 2025, amended T.C.A. 39-17-1314(f) by deleting "of knives and no city" and substituting "of knives and other weapons and no city," and by deleting "transportation of knives." and substituting "transportation of knives or other weapons." As amended, subsection (f) states the General Assembly's intent that Part 13 is preemptive as to the transfer, ownership, possession or transportation of knives and other weapons, and that no city, county or metropolitan government may occupy that field. Whether that language reaches knuckles has not been decided by a court discussed here, and in any case state law already bans them.

Penalties

Under T.C.A. 40-35-111(e)(1), a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by "not greater than eleven (11) months, twenty-nine (29) days or a fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or both, unless otherwise provided by statute." Under 40-35-111(b)(5), a Class E felony carries "not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years," and the jury may assess a fine not to exceed $3,000.

Self-defense alternatives in Tennessee

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

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Tennessee?

No. T.C.A. 39-17-1302(a) makes it an offense to intentionally or knowingly possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell knuckles, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days, a fine up to $2,500, or both.

Can I keep brass knuckles at home in Tennessee?

The 39-17-1302 offense covers possession itself, with no place or carry element, and its defenses do not include ordinary possession at home. The affirmative defense in 39-17-1302(c) covers conduct solely as a curio, ornament or keepsake, which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in Tennessee?

Tennessee's definition in 39-17-1301 covers finger rings or guards made of a hard substance that are designed, made or adapted to inflict serious bodily injury or death by striking with a fist enclosed in the knuckles. It does not require metal, so a plastic set that meets the purpose element falls within it.

What is the penalty for brass knuckles in Tennessee?

Plain possession, sale or transport under 39-17-1302 is a Class A misdemeanor: up to 11 months 29 days, a fine up to $2,500, or both. Carrying them with intent to go armed on school property, or for the purpose of going armed in a building where judicial proceedings are in progress, is a Class E felony (1 to 6 years and a fine up to $3,000).

Can I carry brass knuckles with a handgun carry permit in Tennessee?

No. The defenses listed in 39-17-1302(b) and (c) do not include a handgun carry permit, so a permit gives no defense to the knuckles offense.

Are brass knuckles a felony in Tennessee?

Ordinary possession is a Class A misdemeanor. It becomes a Class E felony on school or college property or a school bus with intent to go armed (39-17-1309), or inside a building where judicial proceedings are in progress for the purpose of going armed (39-17-1306), and taking a weapon into a penal institution with unlawful intent is a Class C felony (39-16-201).

Can I sell brass knuckles in Tennessee?

Selling knuckles is an offense under 39-17-1302(a), a Class A misdemeanor. The defense for a person licensed by Tennessee as a manufacturer, importer or dealer in weapons applies only when the dealing is part of the licensed business and is for scientific or research purposes or for sale to the military, law enforcement or penal organizations named in 39-17-1302(b)(1). It does not cover ordinary retail sales.

Are brass knuckles legal for minors in Tennessee?

No. The ban in 39-17-1302 applies to everyone, so a minor is not exempt. Tennessee's sale-to-minor statute, 39-17-1303, covers firearms, but selling knuckles to anyone is already an offense under 39-17-1302.