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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
brass knuckles; purchase; possession; minors
Purpose
Deems it unlawful for a juvenile to purchase or possess brass knuckles and classifies a violation as a class 3 misdemeanor.
Background
A person commits misconduct involving weapons by knowingly carrying a deadly weapon concealed on the person, within the person's immediate control or on a means of transportation, if the person is under 21 years old, or by manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling or transferring a prohibited weapon. A person who commits misconduct involving weapons is guilty of a class 4 felony. A person who knowingly possesses a deadly weapon on school grounds is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-3102).
The City of Chandler and the Town of Gilbert prohibit any person under 18 years old from purchasing or possessing brass knuckles, knuckle dusters or any other material designed to enhance the power of a punch and the City of Tempe prohibits any person from possessing brass knuckles or selling or giving away brass knuckles to a person under 18 years old (Municipal Codes §§ 11-18; 22-18; and 42-114).
A juvenile is any individual who is under 18 years old and a knife is a cutting instrument and includes a sharpened or pointed blade (A.R.S. §§ 8-201 and 13-3120).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Deems it unlawful for a juvenile to intentionally or knowingly purchase or possess brass knuckles, excluding a knife.
2. Classifies a violation of the offense as a class 3 misdemeanor.
3. Defines brass knuckles as a device that is made of metal, plastic or another hard material and is designed to fit over and around more than two knuckles of the human hand to enhance the power of a punch.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Makes technical changes.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Excludes a knife from the offense.
2. Specifies that brass knuckles are defined as a device that is designed to fit over and around more than two knuckles of the human hand.
3. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
PS 2/19/25 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 11, 2025
KJA/AG/slp