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Brass Knuckles Laws in West Virginia

The rules on brass knuckles in West Virginia: who may own and carry them, where they are banned, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Brass knuckles are legal for most adults in West Virginia. The law defines "metallic or false knuckles" (made of any material) as a "deadly weapon," and any U.S. W. Va. Code §§ 61-7-2(5), (10), 61-7-7(c), 61-7-8

Brass knucklesBrass knuckles are legal for most adults in West Virginia. The law defines "metallic or false knuckles" (made of any material) as a "deadly weapon," and any U.S. citizen or legal resident 18 or older who is not barred from possessing firearms may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license. A person under 18 who is not married or emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon, openly or concealed, and can be adjudicated delinquent.
Source: W. Va. Code §§ 61-7-2(5), (10), 61-7-7(c), 61-7-8

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FAQ

Are brass knuckles illegal in West Virginia?
Brass knuckles are legal for most adults in West Virginia. The law defines "metallic or false knuckles" (made of any material) as a "deadly weapon," and any U.S. citizen or legal resident 18 or older who is not barred from possessing firearms may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license. A person under 18 who is not married or emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon, openly or concealed, and can be adjudicated delinquent.

Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.