No, brass knuckles are classified as prohibited weapons under China’s Regulation on the Administration of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and the Weapons Management Law. Possession, manufacture, or sale without special approval from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment under Article 128 of the Criminal Law. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Weapons Management Law further tighten restrictions, explicitly banning “improvised or disguised” offensive tools, including brass knuckles, even in private collections.
Key Regulations for Brass Knuckles in China
- Prohibited Classification: Brass knuckles are listed under Annex I of the MPS’s Catalogue of Prohibited Weapons, alongside switchblades and electric shock devices.
- Criminal Liability: Unauthorized possession triggers Article 128, with mandatory minimum sentences for quantities exceeding three units.
- Customs Enforcement: The General Administration of Customs (GACC) seizes brass knuckles at ports, citing Decree No. 191 on restricted imports.
Local Public Security Bureaus (PSBs) conduct periodic inspections of antique shops and online marketplaces, leveraging facial recognition and transaction monitoring. Foreign nationals face deportation and blacklisting under the Exit-Entry Administration Law for violations. Compliance requires prior MPS approval, which is rarely granted for non-military or law enforcement entities.