April 15, 2025
Brass knuckles, which can be made of any material, metal or not, are worn around the knuckles of the hand to increase the force and damage of a punch. Although they are not illegal on the federal level in the United States, they are illegal in about 20 states and in many foreign countries-but not in "Red" China.
A 1931 law in Michigan, MCL 750.224(1)(d), imposes severe penalties, including a possible prison sentence, for possession of brass knuckles. A Grand Rapids-area man was charged with unlawfully possessing brass knuckles. He argued that the statutory prohibition violates both the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, § 6 of the Michigan Constitution. A state trial court denied the man's motion to dismiss the charges. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals, in a unanimous 18-page opinion, recently affirmed the state's prohibition of brass knuckles.
Judge Christopher Murray wrote in his opinion that the Michigan "ban on the possession of metallic knuckles falls within the historical tradition of prohibiting the concealed carry of metallic knuckles as a dangerous and unusual weapon." He previously said during oral arguments in November: "If you ask everybody out here, probably they'd all say brass knuckles are used by the gangs and the thugs who want to go make a point. The history and tradition of the use is not a glamorous one."
So, since brass knuckles can be used to assault, harm, disfigure, disables, or even kill someone, should the state of Michigan or any other state, ban them?
Of course not.
First of all, brass knuckles don't assault, harm, disfigure, disable, or kill by themselves. They are attached to someone's hand and move as the hand moves. Brass knuckles are an inanimate object.
Second, brass knuckles are not just offensive weapons. They can be used to fend off an assailant and let him know that he picked on the wrong person.
Third, hammers, knives, axes, clubs, baseball bats, crowbars, scissors, pipe wrenches, and blunt instruments can be used to assault, harm, disfigure, or kill just as much as brass knuckles.
Fourth, the deadliest weapon that can injure or kill at a distance is a gun. Thousands of Americans are killed every year with pistols or rifles. Yet, guns are not illegal in Michigan or any other state. They may be regulated, and in some cases heavily regulated, but they are not illegal like brass knuckles are.
Fifth, guns, knives, and clubs "are used by the gangs and the thugs who want to go make a point" just like brass knuckles. Yet, it is only brass knuckles that are banned in Michigan (and about 20 other states).
Sixth, if someone assaults, harms, disfigure, disables, or kills someone else-whether it is with brass knuckles, a metal object, or a gun-then he commits a crime that should be punished. No one should be punished for possessing an object that might be used to commit a crime. If so, then no one should be allowed to own golf clubs.
Seventh, if brass knuckles are outlawed, then only outlaws will have brass knuckles. No one who is going to assault, harm, disfigure, disable, or kill someone is concerned about laws against brass knuckles.
Michigan should legalize brass knuckles and any other object or substance that it prohibits. And the federal government and all of the other states should do likewise.