Are Brass Knuckles Legal in Wyoming? (2026 Law)

Wyoming's statutes never mention brass knuckles, and no Wyoming weapons statute bans owning, buying or selling them. Knuckles come under Wyoming law only as a possible "deadly weapon," a term Wyoming Statutes section 6-1-104(a)(iv) defines by how an object is used or intended to be used, and the main limits are the concealed-weapon law (W.S. 6-8-104), a felony for possessing or selling a deadly weapon with intent to harm someone (6-8-103), and bans on deadly weapons in jails and courtrooms (6-5-209).

Students also face a mandatory expulsion rule for deadly weapons at school. For other states, see our guide to brass knuckles laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-09. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Wyoming statutes in the 2026 edition of the Wyoming Statutes: the definitions in W.S. 6-1-104, aggravated assault and battery (6-2-502), weapons in jails and courtrooms (6-5-209), the weapons offenses in 6-8-101 through 6-8-105, state preemption of weapons regulation (6-8-401), seizure of weapons on arrest (7-2-104) and school discipline (21-4-306). It does not cover Wyoming court decisions, rules for state facilities or the University of Wyoming, federal law or federal property, or the law of other states.

Are brass knuckles legal in Wyoming?

No Wyoming statute names brass knuckles or makes it a crime for an adult simply to own, make, buy, sell or openly carry them. The word does not appear in the definitions in W.S. 6-1-104, in the weapons article (6-8-101 through 6-8-105), in the preemption statute (6-8-401) or in the school discipline statute (21-4-306).

Instead, Wyoming's criminal statutes speak of a "deadly weapon," defined this way:

"(iv) 'Deadly weapon' means but is not limited to a firearm, explosive or incendiary material, motorized vehicle, an animal or other device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury;" W.S. 6-1-104(a)(iv)

The definition turns on function. Whether a particular set of knuckles is a deadly weapon depends on the manner in which it is used or intended to be used, not on its name or what it is made of. The same test applies to brass, steel, plastic or other knuckles and to knuckle knives.

Carrying brass knuckles concealed in Wyoming

Wyoming's concealed-weapon statute is written in terms of a deadly weapon, not only firearms:

"(a) A person who wears or carries a concealed deadly weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both for a first offense, or a felony punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both, for a second or subsequent offense, unless: (i) The person is a peace officer; (ii) The person possesses a permit under this section; (iii) The person holds a valid permit authorizing him to carry a concealed firearm authorized and issued by a governmental agency or entity in another state that recognizes Wyoming permits and is a valid statewide permit; or (iv) The person does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful." W.S. 6-8-104(a)

Exception (iv) is Wyoming's permitless-carry rule. Its closing words refer to "possession of the firearm," and the section defines "firearm" as a pistol, revolver or derringer designed to be fired with one hand (6-8-104(y)(ii)). The statute does not say whether a person who meets the exception (iv) requirements may also carry a concealed non-firearm weapon such as knuckles, and this article does not discuss any Wyoming court decision on that question.

Two questions therefore decide whether concealed knuckles fall under 6-8-104(a): whether they are a "deadly weapon" in the manner they are used or intended to be used, and whether any of the four exceptions reaches them. If the offense applies, a first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $750, up to six months in the county jail, or both, and a second or later offense is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to two years of imprisonment, or both.

The concealed-weapon permit itself is a firearm permit. Information about permits is published by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Possessing or selling knuckles with intent to hurt someone

The Wyoming statute most likely to reach the possession or sale of knuckles is an intent offense:

"A person who knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs or sells a deadly weapon with intent to unlawfully threaten the life or physical well-being of another or to commit assault or inflict bodily injury on another is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both." W.S. 6-8-103

The offense requires more than having the weapon. The prosecution must show the person knowingly possessed, made, moved, repaired or sold it and did so with the intent the section describes.

Using knuckles on someone can also be aggravated assault and battery. Under W.S. 6-2-502(a)(ii) and (iii), that offense includes attempting to cause, or intentionally or knowingly causing, bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon, and threatening to use a drawn deadly weapon on another "unless reasonably necessary in defense of his person, property or abode or to prevent serious bodily injury to another." It is a felony punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment (6-2-502(b)(i)). When force is lawful at all is covered in our guide to Wyoming self-defense laws.

Jails, prisons and courtrooms

W.S. 6-5-209 sets two place rules that apply to any deadly weapon:

"(a) Except as authorized by a person in charge, a person commits a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both, if that person takes or passes a deadly weapon into a jail, a state penal institution, the Wyoming boys' school, Wyoming girls' school, a correctional facility operated by a private entity pursuant to W.S. 7-22-102 or the state hospital. (b) Except as authorized by a presiding judge, a person commits a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both, if that person takes into a courtroom a deadly weapon." W.S. 6-5-209(a)-(b)

A "courtroom" for this purpose is a room in which a judge is presiding (6-1-104(a)(xvi)). A second or later courtroom violation within five years is a felony punishable by up to two years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The place restrictions in 6-8-104(t) apply to carrying a concealed firearm, and the Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (6-8-105) lists places where people lawfully carrying concealed weapons under the 6-8-104(a)(ii) through (iv) exceptions may carry. Neither section names knuckles.

Brass knuckles at Wyoming schools

Wyoming's school rule for deadly weapons is a discipline statute in the education title. Under W.S. 21-4-306(a)(v), a student may be suspended or expelled for:

"(v) Possession, use, transfer, carrying or selling a deadly weapon as defined under W.S. 6-1-104(a)(iv) within any school bus as defined by W.S. 31-7-102(a)(xl) or within the boundaries of real property used by the district primarily for the education of students in grades kindergarten through twelve (12)." W.S. 21-4-306(a)(v)

For a student who violates that paragraph, the board of trustees must require the district superintendent to expel the student for one year, subject to case-by-case modification under subsection (d) (21-4-306(c)), and the superintendent notifies the district attorney. The rule uses the same function-based deadly weapon definition from 6-1-104(a)(iv).

The criminal weapons article, Title 6, chapter 8, article 1, contains no offense specific to knuckles on school grounds. Its student provision, 6-8-104(t)(ix), bars a person enrolled as a student at an elementary or secondary school from carrying a concealed firearm into a school facility under the permit and permitless-carry exceptions.

Minors and brass knuckles

No Wyoming statute in the sections covered here names knuckles in a rule on sales to minors or possession by minors. A student who brings a deadly weapon to school or onto a school bus faces the expulsion rule in 21-4-306, and the general offenses described above apply regardless of age.

Can Wyoming cities or counties ban brass knuckles?

Wyoming's preemption statute covers "weapons," not only firearms:

"(c) The sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use and possession of firearms, weapons and ammunition shall be authorized, regulated and prohibited by the state, and regulation thereof is preempted by the legislature of the state of Wyoming. Except as authorized by W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii) and 23-1-302, no state agency, city, town, county, political subdivision or any other entity shall authorize, regulate or prohibit the sale, transfer, purchase, delivery, taxation, manufacture, ownership, transportation, storage, use, carrying or possession of firearms, weapons, accessories, components or ammunition except as specifically provided by this chapter." W.S. 6-8-401(c)

The section does not define "weapons," and it names two exceptions, W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xviii) and 23-1-302, which this article does not cover. On its face, though, the text reserves weapons regulation to the state.

If police find knuckles on you during an arrest

Under W.S. 7-2-104(a), a peace officer may take into possession any deadly weapon found on a person who is arrested if the officer has reason to believe the weapon will be used to endanger the officer or the public, or the person might use it to resist arrest or escape. Section 7-2-105 governs what happens to the weapon afterward.

Felons and firearm enhancements

Wyoming's prohibited-person statute, W.S. 6-8-102, applies to a person with a qualifying felony conviction who "uses or knowingly possesses any firearm." The added prison term in 6-8-101 for using a firearm in a felony is also firearm-only. Neither section reaches knuckles. For other weapon types, see our guides to Wyoming knife laws and Wyoming pepper spray and stun gun laws.

Wyoming penalties at a glance

Each row applies to knuckles only when they are a deadly weapon under 6-1-104(a)(iv).

Related pages

• Brass knuckles laws by state
• Wyoming knife laws
• Wyoming self-defense laws
• Wyoming pepper spray and stun gun laws
• Montana brass knuckles laws

This article provides general legal information about Wyoming state law, not legal advice. Weapons laws change, and how a court treats a particular object as a deadly weapon depends on the facts. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Wyoming or your local law enforcement agency.

Last updated: 2026-10-09.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brass knuckles legal in Wyoming?

No Wyoming statute names brass knuckles or bans adults from owning, buying, selling or openly carrying them. They are treated as a deadly weapon under W.S. 6-1-104(a)(iv) only when, in the manner used or intended to be used, they are reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.

Can I carry brass knuckles concealed in Wyoming?

W.S. 6-8-104(a) makes wearing or carrying a concealed deadly weapon a misdemeanor for a first offense unless the person is a peace officer, holds a qualifying permit, or meets the permitless-carry requirements. The permitless exception refers to possession of the firearm, and the statute does not say whether it covers knuckles.

What is the penalty for carrying a concealed deadly weapon in Wyoming?

A first offense under W.S. 6-8-104(a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $750, up to 6 months in the county jail, or both. A second or later offense is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to 2 years of imprisonment, or both.

Can a Wyoming city ban brass knuckles?

W.S. 6-8-401(c) reserves regulation of firearms, weapons and ammunition to the state and bars cities, towns and counties from regulating their sale, possession or carrying except as the chapter provides, subject to exceptions in 15-1-103(a)(xviii) and 23-1-302. The section does not define weapons.

Can students bring brass knuckles to school in Wyoming?

Possessing, using, transferring, carrying or selling a deadly weapon on a school bus or K-12 district property is grounds for suspension or expulsion under W.S. 21-4-306(a)(v), and the board must require a one-year expulsion, subject to case-by-case modification.