Are brass knuckles really illegal for self defense?

[PrelateBishop]

Georgia state law:
They're not illegal per se, but it is a crime to carry them concealed (OCGA 16-11-126) and it's illegal to have them within 1000 feet of a school (OCGA 16-11-127.1).

This.

Just to add a bit more to an already excellent response:

16-11-126. Carrying a concealed weapon

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.

16-11-121. Definitions

(1) "Dangerous weapon" means any weapon commonly known as a "rocket launcher," "bazooka," or "recoilless rifle" which fires explosive or nonexplosive rockets designed to injure or kill personnel or destroy heavy armor, or similar weapon used for such purpose. The term shall also mean a weapon commonly known as a "mortar" which fires high explosive from a metallic cylinder and which is commonly used by the armed forces as an antipersonnel weapon or similar weapon used for such purpose. The term shall also mean a weapon commonly known as a "hand grenade" or other similar weapon which is designed to explode and injure personnel or similar weapon used for such purpose.


It would appear you could own them, but if you want to take them along with you, there are restrictions as to how you must carry them (no concealment) and where you can take them (no schools, parks, courts, etc). So it sounds like you could, say, wear them to the mall, almost like jewelry.

As for actually making use of them, there simply isn't enough space here to cover every possible scenario. Needless to say, if you're gonna use them, you'd better make sure you're justified.

 

[drum]

This.

Just to add a bit more to an already excellent response:

16-11-126. Carrying a concealed weapon

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.

16-11-121. Definitions

(1) "Dangerous weapon" means any weapon commonly known as a "rocket launcher," "bazooka," or "recoilless rifle" which fires explosive or nonexplosive rockets designed to injure or kill personnel or destroy heavy armor, or similar weapon used for such purpose. The term shall also mean a weapon commonly known as a "mortar" which fires high explosive from a metallic cylinder and which is commonly used by the armed forces as an antipersonnel weapon or similar weapon used for such purpose. The term shall also mean a weapon commonly known as a "hand grenade" or other similar weapon which is designed to explode and injure personnel or similar weapon used for such purpose.


It would appear you could own them, but if you want to take them along with you, there are restrictions as to how you must carry them (no concealment) and where you can take them (no schools, parks, courts, etc). So it sounds like you could, say, wear them to the mall, almost like jewelry.

As for actually making use of them, there simply isn't enough space here to cover every possible scenario. Needless to say, if you're gonna use them, you'd better make sure you're justified.

yes, yes you're very smart. But can you tell me who is under the helmet in your avatar!?!?!? I thought not!

/Stig

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Most people don't even know how to throw a punch anyway. Brass knuckle isn't going to help them.

 

[Ausm]

Not illegal unless you get caught.

 

[meltdown75]

this thread is the toughest thread in the history of the internet

 

[techs]

I read it as "Are brass balls really illegal for self defense?"
nm

 

[pontifex]

If I wasn't at work I would find a video of a kid about 12 years old that has guns concealed on him. He pulls out a solid 10 different guns, including a rifle (or shotgun forget which).

edit: Found it

but that kid is not a threat. there's no way he'd be able to walk out of the house with all that shit.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

God dammit what is with all of the spammers lately?

Well at least I got something out of this thread - thepd7 is a retard.

 

[darkswordsman17]

ironically youll get the same charge if you attempt to run someone over with a vehicle.

as for the brass knuckles, unless you know how to punch with them youre better off with a taser hanging on your belt. not an air taser, the up close and personal one. i also have no idea if they are legal or not. switchblades are federally illegal but here in az you can carry them openly, as long as they arent concealed. i carry one on me, but mainly as a work tool. i also have a handgun i carry, but theres more chance ill scrap hand to hand before pulling either. 2 decades of carrying both, and ive pulled my handgun in defense once. the switchblade has been out, but usually things calmed down quickly after. the only time ive pulled that was when odds were severely stacked against me.

if youre up against an armed mugger, youre better off just letting him get away. if you already have them on your hand and he gives you an easy open, take it and run. there is a very fine line between defending yourself and assault, even if youre defending your life. my friend served 10 years on that difference. he shot someone that was assaulting and getting ready to rape his girlfriend in a parking lot after the guy pulled a gun on him. the first shot was self defense, but the 5 after made it murder 3 i guess. he was in an adrenaline buzz from it, and the guy seemed to point the gun at him after he shot him the first time. judge didnt care and gave him 15 years, served 10 of it.

Where the fuck do you live or who are you associating with that you've pulled a knife multiple times, a gun once, and your friend killed someone after getting a gun pulled on him and his girlfriend?

 

[Red Dawn]

I'm finding conflicting information online regarding the legality of brass knuckles in my state (Georgia). Of course it is illegal to conceal them without a concealed weapons permit.

Now, other than the people saying that they are out-right illegal without anything to back that up (jumping to conclusions?), I've seen it said time and time again that they are not illegal until you use them on someone and then it is "assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill" no matter what (as if they are particularly deadly). But no, it's no different than a baseball bat in that regard. Baseball bats aren't illegal, but if you attack someone, it depends on the context (self-defense vs. aggression). Just like brass knuckles carried unconcealed, a baseball bat also works as a nice deterrent. Why would it be legal to use a gun for self defense and not a less-deadly more defense-type weapon like knuckles? Does the right to bear arms only apply to projectiles?

Anyway, this was prompted because a family member gave my twin brother and I each a set of brass knuckles many years ago and told us to keep them in the car for self-defense, and I need something light-weight now that I am going to be riding a motorcycle. In my car, I've been pulled over a few times since for traffic reasons and they have been plainly visible but they have never been discussed or caused me any legal trouble. I've even carried them into stores more than once when I realized I was still holding them after exiting my car (putting them in my pocket was illegal). No one has ever said a thing.

I asked a former sherriff and a wanna-be sherriff but still active in law-enforcement guy (runs every time an election happens) both of whom I work with: one didn't answer while the other just said "uh, I would think they'd be illegal." Hmm, nothing conclusive.

I see websites exclusively dedicated to selling them as a personal protective device and yet they don't have anything expressing their legality. Funny.

I'm a weakling that couldn't do a damn thing if the average criminal attacked me or tried to force me to do something. I can't think of a more perfect way to even the odds in self-defense if my attacker did not have a gun, and it seems too perfect for riding to just assume that it is illegal and not get that answered right now. So, will they go on teaching women to punch with their keys in their self defense classes but a man can't even use a less-destructive tool (keys tear flesh)?

Fuck the knuckle dusters, just carry a Ball Peen Hammer like all the other Bikers do.

 

[Schadenfreude]

You know motorcycle gloves have knuckle protection - pretty much the same thing.

Anyhow, if you're concerned about safety and you're assuming you'll end up within close enough range to be throwing wild fists of fury, uh, couldn't you use something called "common sense" to get out of bad situations before it becomes a close-range situation? And how/why would you end up in a close-range pugilistic situation if you're on a motorbike anyways? You planning on fighting off the Flash or something? Or perhaps, punching at cars that are too close while you're riding?

 

[karlsmith]

there are some ways that you can carry them, that will not caught and if caught, it wan't be against the law (I think). Just look at the belt of this example,

There are more examples like this, main thing is creativity

 

[nick1985]

You asked for proof, I provided it, you dismiss it. Well, its official, you are retarded.

I'm out.

lol

 

[CZroe]

I didn't realize this had been bumped. I'm in San Diego, CA now, where it is illlegal, so I don't have them, but it doesn't mean that I don't see more need than ever.

You know motorcycle gloves have knuckle protection - pretty much the same thing.

Anyhow, if you're concerned about safety and you're assuming you'll end up within close enough range to be throwing wild fists of fury, uh, couldn't you use something called "common sense" to get out of bad situations before it becomes a close-range situation? And how/why would you end up in a close-range pugilistic situation if you're on a motorbike anyways? You planning on fighting off the Flash or something? Or perhaps, punching at cars that are too close while you're riding?

You're right. I guess I'll just run away any time someone lines up behind me at the ATM... or the store... or the mail box... or the drive through... or the stop light.

You are totally exposed. Here in San Diego, my motorcycle is my ONLY transportation. I can't tell you how many times I've had homeless people on all sides of me at a stop light or been approached by crazies at a gas station or deapartment store lot. I haven't had any close encounters at ATMs because I always take the vehicle drive-up machines but, wearing a helmet and oming up from behind on foot, I have certainly made a few drivers uncomfortable. Just the other day, a woman drove off without her card because she was so distracted by the "masked man" behind her, but I managed to find where she parked and bring her card to her (helmet now off of course). It's not the first time either.

I've seen unforseen altercations with strangers due to accidents, road rage, and even just jealosy (people do not like it that a motorcycle can lane split and then pass them). I've seen unexpected encounters with theives as well (a guy at Harbor Freight walked out and caught someone stealing his helmet... so I quietly unlocked mine and brought it inside with me). In fact, I even had my wallet stolen at a stop light... I shit you not. It fell out when I was trying to remove a plastic bag from my jacket pocket, I turned around immediately, a gang of kids grabbed it and not a single one would fess up. Yes, I approached them. Granted I wasn't intimidating in any way (I was just asking/appealing for it), but if they had decided to jump me I certainly would have wanted my knucks. Alas, they remain in GA.

You having no imagination is no excuse when there are many real-world examples to draw on. I guess asking for my wallet back isn't "smartly getting out of a potentially bad situation" but, AFAIK, they were a church youth group from the church across the road and they may have responded to the "I don't care about the money; I just need my other stuff" appeal. I dropped the "maybe someone could anonymously drop it in the mailbox" hint while I was at it (worth a try).