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No right to possess brass knuckles in Michigan

A Michigan court has said there is no constitutional right to possess brass knuckles in that state.

The weapon which is typically associated with violent ambushes has been banned in nearly two dozen states.

The Michigan Court of Appeals, in an 18-page opinion, declined to interfere with a 1931 law that carries a five-year prison term for simply having brass knuckles, also known as metallic knuckles, AP has reported.

 A "ban on the possession of metallic knuckles falls within the historical tradition of prohibiting the concealed carry of metallic knuckles as a dangerous and unusual weapon," Judge Christopher Murray wrote in a 3-0 opinion (18 March).

Injuries

Brass knuckles are usually a single set of rings that fits on someone's hand. A punch can inflict serious injuries.

Lawyers for a Grand Rapids-area man argued that Michigan's ban violated the Constitution's Second Amendment right to bear arms.