Lawmakers approved an amendment to a current law that if passed by Senate and signed into law, would legalize knuckles, more commonly known as ‘brass knuckles’.
The amendment that was passed is part of a larger Public Safety bill, that will be voted on by the House Chamber in the future.
It was first introduced in January by Republican Representative Tony Lovasco.
Documents from the House Session on May 5 says if signed into law, people with concealed carry permits, a valid concealed carry endorsement issued before August 28, 2013, or a concealed carry endorsement or permit issues by another state in their name can legally carry knuckles, with similar exceptions to those who are permitted to carry a firearm.
Many state Democrats responded to the motion on Twitter, wondering why an amendment about knuckles was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are in Jefferson City, hundreds of people sitting in one room, at least half without masks. What are we debating that’s so important you ask? Making brass knuckles legal in Missouri – because, you know, the second amendment. #moleg pic.twitter.com/LYOxZ0b8tO
— Greg Razer (@gregrazer) May 5, 2020
Yesterday saw the largest increase in Covid cases in one day in Missouri. MOleg House just passed legalization of brass knuckles.#moleg
— Crystal Quade (@crystal_quade) May 5, 2020
You can read the details for where you can legally carry and more here, the section for this amendment begins at page 10.
KTTS News reached out to Rep. Lovasco and this was his response.
“The measure was added as an amendment during the perfection process of an omnibus “public safety” bill (SB 600). My amendment removes criminal penalties for possession of “knuckles”, and regulates the carry of them in a similar way to concealed firearms.
The amendment was accepted by the House, however SB 600 as a whole has not yet received a final vote from the chamber.
As to why I offered the amendment, I did so because it’s absurd to me that the mere possession of a piece of metal with some holes in it could result in criminal charges. There are plenty of existing statues that properly prohibit the inappropriate use of these products, and banning them entirely is unproductive and outside the proper role of government.
