- 3-judge panel unanimously upholds 92-year-old weapons law
- 5-year felony penalty remains for possession
- Court compares brass knuckles to historically banned 'unusual weapons'
- Over 20 states maintain similar restrictions
In a landmark decision reshaping Michigan's self-defense landscape, the Court of Appeals affirmed the state's right to prohibit metallic knuckles despite evolving Second Amendment interpretations. The ruling cites historical precedent dating to early 20th-century concealed carry laws, drawing parallels between brass knuckles and other combat-focused weapons...
Legal experts note this decision contradicts growing trends in southern states like Texas, where 2022 legislative reforms reclassified brass knuckles as non-lethal defense tools. Unlike Michigan's blanket prohibition, Texas now permits ownership with mandatory safety training – a model some Midwestern lawmakers are now scrutinizing.
The court rejected arguments about modern self-defense needs, emphasizing brass knuckles' disproportionate injury potential. Forensic data reveals these weapons triple facial fracture risks compared to bare-handed strikes, according to 2023 ER injury reports from Detroit Mercy Hospital.
Three critical industry shifts emerge from this ruling:
- 42% increase in legal synthetic polymer knuckle alternatives since 2020
- New bodycam policies requiring knuckle inspections during traffic stops
- Insurance companies denying claims for knuckle-related assault incidents
Regional enforcement patterns show stark contrasts. While Grand Rapids reported 78 brass knuckles seizures in 2023, neighboring Ohio jurisdictions – where possession carries only misdemeanor charges – documented 412% more related assaults last year.
Second Amendment scholars warn this narrow interpretation could enable broader weapon restrictions. 'If courts can ban fist-load weapons,' notes UM Law Professor Ellen Voss, 'what stops them from restricting tactical pens or reinforced gloves next?'