No. Brass knuckles are classified as “dangerous weapons” under Missouri Revised Statutes § 571.010, making their possession or sale illegal statewide. Local ordinances, such as those enforced by the Kansas City Police Department’s Proactive Enforcement Unit, further restrict their transfer, with recent 2026 amendments to the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement Act tightening penalties for unlawful possession.
Key Regulations for Brass Knuckles in Missouri
- Statutory Prohibition: Under § 571.020(12), brass knuckles are explicitly banned as “any instrument of like character” to prohibited weapons, punishable as a Class D felony if knowingly possessed.
- Local Enforcement Variations: St. Louis County ordinances (e.g., § 1155.020) mirror state law but impose additional mandatory reporting requirements for law enforcement seizures, effective January 2026.
- Exceptions and Loopholes: No exceptions exist for antique or ornamental brass knuckles; even replicas are treated as functional weapons under § 571.015(3), requiring prior approval from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for lawful possession.