Are Brass Knuckles Legal in West Virginia? (2026 Law)

Brass knuckles are legal for most adults to own and carry in West Virginia. The state code defines "metallic or false knuckles" and counts them as a "deadly weapon" (W. Va. Code 61-7-2(5), (10)), and any person 18 or older who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident and not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license (61-7-7(c)). The limits fall on minors and on places: possession by unmarried, unemancipated minors under 18, on school property and in courts is prohibited.

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 West Virginia state statutes in article 7 of chapter 61 of the West Virginia Code (dangerous weapons), together with 8-12-5 and 8-12-5a (municipal powers), 61-5-8 (correctional facility contraband), 61-2-12 (robbery), 62-10-5 (recognizance) and the school expulsion statute 18A-5-1a. It does not cover county or city ordinances, West Virginia court decisions, county school board discipline policies, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

How West Virginia defines brass knuckles

West Virginia calls them "metallic or false knuckles," and its definition turns on shape and purpose rather than what they are made of:

"Metallic or false knuckles" means a set of finger rings attached to a transverse piece to be worn over the front of the hand for use as a weapon and constructed in such a manner that, when striking another person with the fist or closed hand, considerable physical damage may be inflicted upon the person who was struck. The terms "metallic or false knuckles" includes any such instrument without reference to the metal or other substance or substances from which the metallic or false knuckles are made. W. Va. Code 61-7-2(10)

Plastic, polymer or wooden knuckles that fit this description are therefore treated the same as brass ones.

The same section defines "deadly weapon" as "an instrument which is designed to be used to produce serious bodily injury or death or is readily adaptable to such use," and says the term includes the instruments defined in a list of subdivisions that includes subdivision (10) (61-7-2(5)). Knuckles are therefore a deadly weapon for every rule in article 7 that uses that term.

Is it legal to own, buy or sell brass knuckles in West Virginia?

Yes, for adults. Article 7 of chapter 61, the state's dangerous-weapons article, contains no provision that bans owning, buying, selling or making metallic or false knuckles. The sale rule that does exist protects minors: no one may knowingly sell, rent, give or lend "any deadly weapon other than a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a deadly weapon other than a firearm by any provision of this article" (61-7-10(b)). The main group that article 7 bars from possessing deadly weapons is people under 18 (61-7-8, below).

A violation of 61-7-10(b) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both; a business or other entity that is not a natural person faces a fine of up to $10,000 (61-7-10(a)).

Carrying brass knuckles openly or concealed

West Virginia allows permitless concealed carry of any deadly weapon, not only guns:

(c) Any person may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license therefor who is: (1) At least 18 years of age; (2) A United States citizen or legal resident thereof; (3) Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under the provisions of this section; and (4) Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under the provisions of 18 U. S. C. §922(g) or (n). W. Va. Code 61-7-7(c)

The state's concealed weapons license is not the route for knuckles: under 61-7-4, "A concealed weapons license may only be issued for pistols and revolvers." Article 7 contains no separate rule against carrying knuckles openly.

The former section 61-7-3, which dealt with carrying a deadly weapon by persons under 21 without a provisional license, is now listed in the code as repealed. House Bill 4106 of the 2026 regular session (Chapter 75, Acts 2026) repealed it effective June 12, 2026, so the 18-and-older rule in 61-7-7(c) is now the age line for permitless carry.

Lawful carry still has limits on how the weapon is handled. It is a misdemeanor for any person armed with a deadly weapon, "whether licensed to carry the same or not, to carry, brandish or use such weapon in a way or manner to cause, or threaten, a breach of the peace," punishable by a fine of $50 to $1,000, 90 days to one year in county jail, or both (61-7-11).

Brass knuckles in a car

For an adult who meets 61-7-7(c), article 7 contains no separate rule about keeping knuckles in a vehicle. The vehicle question matters most at schools, where the ban in 61-7-11a(b) does not apply to:

(G) A person who, as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this article, possesses an unloaded firearm or deadly weapon in a motor vehicle or leaves an unloaded firearm or deadly weapon in a locked motor vehicle; W. Va. Code 61-7-11a(b)(2)(G)

The phrase "as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this article" means the exception helps only someone who may lawfully possess the weapon in the first place, so it does not cover a minor barred by 61-7-8. Separately, the parking-lot protection in 61-7-14(d) applies to lawfully owned firearms locked in a vehicle, not to other deadly weapons.

Places where brass knuckles are restricted

Schools. It is unlawful to possess "a firearm or other deadly weapon" on a school bus, "in or on the grounds of any primary or secondary educational facility of any type," or at a school-sponsored function on school-controlled property (61-7-11a(b)(1)). A private primary or secondary school may allow weapons by adopting a written policy. A violation is a felony punishable by "not less than two years nor more than 10 years" in a state correctional facility, a fine of up to $5,000, or both (61-7-11a(b)(3)). A person 18 or older convicted of this offense also has his or her driver's license revoked for one year (for a secondary-school student, one year or until age 20, whichever is longer), and a court that adjudicates a person 14 or older delinquent for it may suspend or deny a license until age 19 (61-7-11a(d), (e)).

Courts. It is unlawful "to possess a firearm or other deadly weapon on the premises of a court of law, including family courts" (61-7-11a(g)(1)). The exceptions are law-enforcement officers acting in their official capacity and people exempted by an order of record entered by a court with jurisdiction over the premises. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both (61-7-11a(g)(3)). Possessing a deadly weapon on court premises with the intent to commit a crime is a felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in a state correctional facility, a fine of up to $5,000, or both (61-7-11a(h)).

Private property. Any owner, lessee or person in control of real property "may prohibit the carrying openly or concealing of any firearm or deadly weapon on property under his or her domain" (61-7-14(b)). A person who refuses a request to temporarily give up the weapon or to leave commits a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both (61-7-14(c)).

Jails and prisons. A person who, without authorization, transports or causes to be transported any "weapon" onto the grounds of a jail, state correctional facility, juvenile facility, juvenile detention center or federal correctional facility in the state commits a felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, two to 10 years in a state correctional facility, or both (61-5-8(c)). Delivering a weapon to a person in custody (61-5-8(d)) and an inmate's possession of a weapon (61-5-8(g)(1)) carry the same felony penalty. Those subsections do not name knuckles or say what counts as a "weapon."

Brass knuckles and minors

Minors face a flat possession ban:

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, a person under the age of 18 years who is not married or otherwise emancipated shall not possess or carry concealed or openly any deadly weapon: Provided, That a minor may possess a firearm upon premises owned by the minor or his or her family or on the premises of another with the permission of his or her parent or guardian ... W. Va. Code 61-7-8(a)

The proviso and the other exceptions in that subsection concern firearms, so they do not let a minor keep knuckles at home. A minor who violates 61-7-8 comes under the jurisdiction of the circuit court and "may be adjudicated delinquent" (61-7-8(b)). An adult who sells, rents, gives or lends knuckles to such a minor commits the misdemeanor in 61-7-10.

A public-school student found to have brought knuckles onto school grounds or a school bus must be suspended and, after a county board hearing, expelled for at least twelve consecutive months, a period the county superintendent may shorten (18A-5-1a(a), (i)). A parent, guardian or custodian who knows a minor is violating the school ban, or has reasonable cause to believe a violation is imminent, and fails to report it immediately to school or law-enforcement officials commits a misdemeanor (61-7-11a(f)).

Felons and prohibited persons

West Virginia's prohibited-person rules in 61-7-7(a) are written for firearms: "no person shall possess a firearm, as such is defined in §61-7-2 of this code," who falls into one of the listed categories, such as a person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. The added felony in 61-7-7(d) for a prohibited person who carries a concealed weapon is likewise limited to a "concealed firearm." None of these provisions names knuckles.

The permitless-carry right in 61-7-7(c), though, extends only to people who are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. A prohibited person who carries knuckles concealed is therefore outside that safe harbor, and anyone in that position should get advice from a lawyer licensed in West Virginia before carrying them.

Using brass knuckles in a crime

Because knuckles are a deadly weapon, they can raise the level of a robbery. A person who commits or attempts robbery by using "the threat of deadly force by the presenting of a firearm or other deadly weapon" is guilty of first-degree robbery and faces imprisonment of "not less than ten years" (61-2-12(a)(2)).

A court may also require a person who goes armed with a deadly, dangerous or prohibited weapon in violation of article 7 to give a recognizance, a court-ordered bond to keep the peace (62-10-5).

When force itself is lawful is a separate question, covered in our guide to West Virginia self-defense laws.

Can West Virginia cities regulate brass knuckles?

Two municipal statutes point in different directions. Section 8-12-5(15) gives municipalities the power "To arrest, convict and punish any individual for carrying about his or her person any revolver or other pistol, dirk, bowie knife, razor, slingshot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles or any other dangerous or other deadly weapon of like kind or character," with a proviso limiting municipal enforcement as to firearms.

Section 8-12-5a(a), however, provides that a municipality may not "limit the right of any person to purchase, possess, transfer, own, carry, transport, sell, or store any deadly weapon, firearm, or pepper spray ... in any manner inconsistent with or in conflict with state law." Subsection (c)(1) lets a municipality "prohibit or regulate the carrying or possessing of a deadly weapon, firearm, or pepper spray in municipally owned or operated buildings."

Section 8-12-5a does not authorize a city to restrict otherwise lawfully possessed deadly weapons on public streets and sidewalks (8-12-5a(h)(1)). On city property, it allows city rules only in municipally owned or operated buildings and, for open or not lawfully concealed carry, municipally owned recreation facilities, and the rule must be posted at each entrance (8-12-5a(c), (e)). A lawfully possessed deadly weapon may be kept out of view in a locked vehicle in a municipal public parking facility (8-12-5a(c)(3)), and a person who, but for the ordinance, was lawfully in possession of the weapon and who leaves with it or temporarily gives it up when told it violates the ordinance has an absolute defense (8-12-5a(d)). The code text does not expressly say how 8-12-5(15) fits with these limits. Check the posted rules at any city building and your city's code, or call your local police department's non-emergency line, before carrying knuckles in a new place.

The same deadly-weapon rules cover many knives; see our guide to West Virginia knife laws.

West Virginia penalties at a glance

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• West Virginia knife laws
• West Virginia self-defense laws
• West Virginia pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Virginia brass knuckles laws
• Pennsylvania brass knuckles laws

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

Last updated: 2026-10-08.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in West Virginia?

West Virginia classifies metallic or false knuckles as a deadly weapon (W. Va. Code 61-7-2(5), (10)) but has no statute banning adults who are not prohibited persons from owning or carrying them. Possession is restricted for people under 18 and at schools, courts and private property where the owner bars weapons.

Can you carry brass knuckles concealed in West Virginia?

Yes, if you are at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law. W. Va. Code 61-7-7(c) lets such a person carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license.

Are plastic brass knuckles legal in West Virginia?

They are treated the same as metal ones. The definition in 61-7-2(10) includes any such instrument without reference to the metal or other substance it is made from.

Can I keep brass knuckles in my car at a West Virginia school?

The school weapons ban in 61-7-11a(b) does not apply to a person who, as otherwise permitted by article 7, possesses an unloaded deadly weapon in a motor vehicle or leaves one in a locked motor vehicle. Carrying them onto school grounds outside the vehicle is a felony.

Can a 17-year-old have brass knuckles in West Virginia?

No. A person under 18 who is not married or otherwise emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon, openly or concealed (61-7-8), and the minor may be adjudicated delinquent in circuit court.

What is the penalty for brass knuckles at a West Virginia school?

Possessing a deadly weapon on a school bus, on primary or secondary school grounds, or at a school-sponsored function is a felony under 61-7-11a(b)(3), punishable by 2 to 10 years in a state correctional facility, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.