Texas set to end ban on brass knuckles

In less than two weeks, Texas residents will be allowed to carry brass knuckles for self defense.

Starting Sept. 1, brass knuckles will be removed from the Texas Penal Code’s list of prohibited weapons under legislation signed into law by Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) earlier this year. 

{mosads}An analysis of the law conducted by the House Research Organization, a nonpartisan independent department of the Texas state House, stated that it is “an offense to intentionally or knowingly possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell certain items, including knuckles.”

“Illegally possessing knuckles is a class A misdemeanor,” which is punishable by up to a year in prison in Texas and a fine of up to $4,000, the department added.

Proponents of the new law, House Bill 446, said that brass knuckles, which are banned in multiple states across the country, are a “self-defensive” tool and argued it will end the “unnecessary classification of knuckles as a prohibited weapon.”

Backers of the legislation also argued that “law abiding Texans who carry knuckles, perhaps as part of a novelty key chain, should not be vulnerable to jail time for possessing a legitimate self defense tool.”