Assigned to PS                                                                                                                        FOR COMMITTEE

 


 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1290

 

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 (A.R.S.
§ 8-201
).

               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.

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 the knuckles of the human hand to enhance the power of a punch. 

4.   Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 17, 2025

KJA/AG/slp