A proactive enforcement stop by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) North Patrol Bureau on July 13, 2026, served as a stark reminder of California’s strict stance on prohibited weapons. Deputies operating in unincorporated Orange County contacted a wanted subject who was found carrying a hidden pair of brass knuckles—integrated with a folding blade mechanism.
The individual was immediately taken into custody, facing both the new weapons offense and prior outstanding warrants. While local law enforcement prioritizes removing these items from the street to reduce violent crime, many citizens remain confused about the longevity and scope of the state’s weapon restrictions.
Metal knuckles have been outlawed in California for over a century. The ban is currently codified under California Penal Code § 21810 PC, making it entirely illegal to manufacture, import, sell, give away, or possess brass knuckles within the state…