No, brass knuckles are classified as illegal “knuckles” under Texas Penal Code § 46.05(a)(4), prohibiting their manufacture, sale, or possession. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Houston Police Department’s Firearms Division, actively enforce these restrictions. Violations may result in Class A misdemeanor charges, with potential enhancements for repeat offenses.
Key Regulations for Brass Knuckles in Texas
- Statutory Prohibition: Texas Penal Code § 46.05 explicitly bans possession of brass knuckles, defining them as “any instrument made of any hard substance that is shaped for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury by striking a person with a fist enclosed in the instrument.”
- Local Enforcement Variations: Municipalities like Dallas and San Antonio have supplementary ordinances, requiring additional compliance checks during firearm-related inspections conducted by local ATF task forces.
- Penalty Structure: Violations constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000, with federal sentencing guidelines applying if interstate trafficking is involved.
Recent legislative scrutiny in 2026 has expanded the definition of prohibited weapons to include modified variants, such as polymer-coated knuckles, following directives from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division. Retailers and collectors must verify compliance with updated ATF guidance to avoid inadvertent violations.