Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Vermont? (2026 Law)

Vermont has two statutes that name brass knuckles, and neither punishes simply owning them. Under 13 V.S.A. 4001, using brass knuckles against another person, attempting to, or possessing them with intent so to use them is punishable by up to five years, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; under 13 V.S.A. 4002, manufacturing, selling, giving away or keeping them for sale or gift is punishable by up to two years, a fine of up to $500, or both. 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 the Vermont weapons statutes in 13 V.S.A. chapter 85 that bear on knuckles (sections 4001 to 4005, 4007, 4016, 4017, 4017a, 4023 and 4051), the burglary and assault statutes that carry weapon enhancements (13 V.S.A. 1201, 1024 and 1043), the prisoner contraband statute (13 V.S.A. 1503, with its penalty in 1502), the student discipline statutes (16 V.S.A. 1162 and 1166), the State buildings rule authority in 29 V.S.A. 152, and the municipal preemption statute (24 V.S.A. 2295). It does not cover town or city ordinances, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

The two statutes that name brass knuckles

Section 4001 covers use and possession with intent:

"A person who uses a slung shot, blackjack, brass knuckles or similar weapon against another person, or attempts so to do, or who possesses a slung shot, blackjack, brass knuckles, or similar weapon, with intent so to use it, shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both. The provisions of this section do not apply to a law enforcement officer as to the possession and use of a blackjack, billy club, or night stick." 13 V.S.A. 4001

Section 4002 covers making and selling:

"A person within the State who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, or sells or gives away or parts with, or offers so to do, or keeps for sale or gift, a slung shot, blackjack, brass knuckles, or similar weapon, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $500.00, or both. This section shall not apply to the manufacture of a blackjack, billy club, or nightstick for a law enforcement officer or the sale or gift thereto." 13 V.S.A. 4002

Both law enforcement carve-outs name a blackjack, billy club or night stick. Neither mentions brass knuckles.

Owning and carrying knuckles

Possession is an offense under section 4001 only when it comes "with intent so to use it," meaning intent to use the knuckles against another person. Section 4002 reaches making, selling, giving away and keeping for sale or gift, not personal ownership. Chapter 85 of Title 13, Vermont's weapons chapter, contains no concealed-weapon license and no offense aimed at carrying knuckles, openly or concealed, without that intent.

Carrying knuckles for self-defense is not a safe harbor. In State v. Hale, 2021 VT 18, the Vermont Supreme Court held that section 4001 "requires only intent to use, not imminent or immediate intent to use," and reaches a person who intends to use the weapon "whether presently or in the future, for the purpose of causing harm." The defendant had brass knuckles in his pocket and told police they were for protection.

The Court held that statement, together with other circumstantial evidence (he was in his car at night outside an apartment complex where he did not live, holding marijuana worth a couple hundred dollars), was enough for a jury to find intent to use, and it affirmed his felony conviction. Two of the five justices dissented.

Two other chapter 85 statutes also apply to any "dangerous or deadly weapon" carried with the wrong intent or at the wrong time:

"A person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon with the intent to injure another shall be imprisoned for not more than two years or fined not more than $2,000.00, or both. It shall be a felony punishable by not more than 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of $25,000.00, or both, if the person intends to injure multiple persons." 13 V.S.A. 4003

"(a) Except as otherwise provided in 18 V.S.A. § 4253, a person who carries a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, while committing a felony shall be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $500.00, or both." 13 V.S.A. 4005(a)

Both apply to knuckles only if the knuckles are a dangerous or deadly weapon in the circumstances, as explained below.

When knuckles count as a dangerous or deadly weapon

Vermont defines the term by function rather than by a list:

"(2) "Dangerous or deadly weapon" means any firearm, or other weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury." 13 V.S.A. 4016(a)(2)

That definition governs the courthouse statute and, by cross-reference, the school statute. The assault chapter separately defines "deadly weapon" in nearly identical words (13 V.S.A. 1021(a)(3)). Knuckles are not named in either definition, so whether a given pair qualifies depends on how they are used or intended to be used.

Schools

Section 4004 sets two school rules:

"(a) No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon while within a school building or on a school bus. A person who violates this section shall, for the first offense, be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be imprisoned for not more than three years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both. (b) No person shall knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon on any school property with the intent to injure another person. ..." 13 V.S.A. 4004(a)-(b)

"School property" means "any property owned by a school, including motor vehicles" (13 V.S.A. 4004(d)(1)). A violation of subsection (b) carries up to three years, a fine of up to $1,000, or both for a first offense, and up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both for a second or later offense (13 V.S.A. 4004(b)). The section does not apply to a law enforcement officer engaged in law enforcement duties, or to possession or use authorized by the board of school directors, or by the superintendent or principal if delegated that authority, "for specific occasions or for instructional or other specific purposes" (13 V.S.A. 4004(c)).

School discipline is separate. Vermont's mandatory expulsion policy is written for firearms: a school must expel "for not less than one calendar year any student who brings a firearm to or possesses a firearm at school," though the board may modify the expulsion case by case (16 V.S.A. 1166(b)(2)). For misconduct generally, 16 V.S.A. 1162(a) allows expulsion "for up to the remainder of the school year or up to 90 school days, whichever is longer."

Courthouses and other buildings

"(b) A person who, while within a courthouse and without authorization from the court: (1) carries or has in his or her possession a firearm; or (2) knowingly carries or has in his or her possession a dangerous or deadly weapon, other than a firearm, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $500.00, or both. (c) Notice of the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each courthouse. (d) No dangerous or deadly weapon shall be allowed in a courthouse that has been certified by the Court Administrator to be a secured building." 13 V.S.A. 4016(b)-(d)

Vermont's hospital rule (13 V.S.A. 4023) and polling place rule (13 V.S.A. 4027) are written for firearms, and the rule authority over State buildings in 29 V.S.A. 152 covers "firearms and explosives." None of those names knuckles.

At jails and prisons, 13 V.S.A. 1503 punishes a person who gives a prisoner, or conveys into a place of confinement, "a tool, instrument, or weapon with intent to enable a prisoner to escape," with the penalty set by 13 V.S.A. 1502(b): up to five years or a fine of up to $500. The intent to enable an escape is an element of that offense.

Penalties

For burglary into an occupied dwelling, 13 V.S.A. 1201(c)(3)(B) sets a higher tier, up to 30 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, "if the person carried a dangerous or deadly weapon, openly or concealed, during commission of the offense." The rows after the first two apply to knuckles only if they meet the relevant dangerous or deadly weapon definition.

People with convictions or court orders

Vermont's prohibited-person statutes are written for firearms. Section 4017(a) says "A person shall not possess a firearm if the person has been convicted of a violent crime," and section 4017a(a) applies the same firearm rule to fugitives from justice, people subject to a final relief from abuse order and others it lists. The extreme risk protection order law defines "dangerous weapon" as "an explosive or a firearm" (13 V.S.A. 4051(2)). None of those provisions names knuckles. Sections 4001 and 4002 apply to everyone regardless of record.

Plastic and other non-metal knuckles

Sections 4001 and 4002 cover "brass knuckles, or similar weapon." Neither defines "similar weapon." In State v. Brunner, 2014 VT 62, the Vermont Supreme Court held that section 4001 covered a metal device gripped in the fist with folding blades and serrated teeth, said the statute is not limited to weapons made of brass, and declined to narrow "brass knuckles" to items with no other reasonable use. That case involved a metal device; no Vermont court decision on plastic or composite knuckles is discussed here, so whether a non-metal item is a similar weapon is unsettled.

Minors

Sections 4001 and 4002 contain no age rule; they apply to any person. Separately, 13 V.S.A. 4007 provides a fine of $10 to $50 for anyone other than a parent or guardian who sells or furnishes "a firearm or other dangerous weapon" to a minor under 16. That section does not define "dangerous weapon" or name knuckles, and selling knuckles to anyone is already covered by section 4002.

Local rules

Vermont's preemption statute is written for firearms and related items:

"Except as otherwise provided by law, no town, city, or incorporated village, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall directly regulate hunting, fishing, and trapping or the possession, ownership, transportation, transfer, sale, purchase, carrying, licensing, or registration of traps, firearms, ammunition, or components of firearms or ammunition." 24 V.S.A. 2295

Knuckles are not on that list. Some municipal charters grant broader local power; Winooski's charter, as one example, authorizes ordinances on "the possession and use of other weapons and devices having a capacity to inflict personal injury" (24 App. V.S.A. ch. 19, 304). No local knuckles ordinance is discussed here. 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 Vermont knife laws, sprays and stun devices are covered in Vermont pepper spray and stun gun laws, and when force may be used at all is covered in Vermont self-defense laws.

Related pages

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

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Vermont?

Neither 13 V.S.A. 4001 nor 4002, the Vermont sections that name brass knuckles, punishes simply owning them. Section 4001 punishes using them against another person, attempting to, or possessing them with intent so to use them, and section 4002 punishes manufacturing, selling, giving them away or keeping them for sale or gift.

Can I sell brass knuckles in Vermont?

Under 13 V.S.A. 4002, a person within the State who manufactures, sells, gives away, parts with, offers to do so, or keeps brass knuckles for sale or gift faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both.

What is the penalty for using brass knuckles on someone in Vermont?

Under 13 V.S.A. 4001, using brass knuckles or a similar weapon against another person, attempting to, or possessing them with intent so to use them is punishable by up to five years, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Assault and burglary statutes can add higher penalties when the item counts as a deadly or dangerous weapon.

Can I carry brass knuckles in Vermont?

Sections 4001 and 4002 do not punish carrying knuckles without intent to use them against another person, but that intent need not be immediate. In State v. Hale, 2021 VT 18, the Vermont Supreme Court affirmed a section 4001 conviction, which carries up to five years, of a man who said he carried brass knuckles for protection, where other circumstances also pointed to intent to use them. Carrying a dangerous or deadly weapon with intent to injure another is a separate offense under 13 V.S.A. 4003, and schools and courthouses have their own rules.

Can I bring brass knuckles to a Vermont school?

Under 13 V.S.A. 4004(a), no person may knowingly possess a firearm or a dangerous or deadly weapon in a school building or on a school bus. A first offense carries up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; whether knuckles count depends on how they are used or intended to be used under the definition in 13 V.S.A. 4016.

Are plastic brass knuckles covered in Vermont?

Sections 4001 and 4002 cover brass knuckles or a similar weapon, and neither section defines similar weapon. In State v. Brunner, 2014 VT 62, the Vermont Supreme Court said section 4001 is not limited to weapons made of brass, but that case involved a metal device. No Vermont court decision on plastic or composite knuckles is discussed here, so the question is unsettled.