As the debate on street-fighting weapons intensifies, Arizona and New Hampshire take opposing stances on how to handle brass knuckles. In Arizona, a string of brutal attacks has triggered calls for the outright ban of brass knuckles. 17-year-old Connor Jarnagan, a recent victim, has pleaded with his state's legislature to make a change after suffering significant head injuries during an assault by a teen wielding the weapon, according to a 12News report.
Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, the Senate Judiciary Committee deemed it unwise to lift existing prohibitions on brass knuckles and similar devices. In a 4-1 vote, the committee recommended that the full Senate kill a bill which would have lifted the ban, a move defended by Republicans as a step toward self-defense rights. New Hampshire Bulletin's coverage of the decision to maintain the stand against these controversial items.
In his letter urging legislators to ban brass knuckles, Jarnagan stated, "Unlike guns, which can be used for hunting, brass knuckles have no redeeming purpose other than to hurt people." He believes that, "We could make our communities safer and work together to educate people about the dangers of this weapon," as quoted in the 12News article. Jarnagan's plea comes in the wake of multiple assaults involving the weapon, including the attack on 15-year-old Kevin Durkin, who suffered significant oral injuries due to a brass knuckles assault.
On the other side of the conversation, Rep. James Spillane, a proponent of the failed New Hampshire bill, argued for the necessity of such tools for self-defense. "The truth is that blackjacks, slung shots, and brass knuckles are purely non-lethal defense weapons tools to be used to protect yourself," Spillane told New Hampshire Bulletin. Contrastingly, State Senator John Kavanaugh of Arizona expressed his concern to 12News, stating, "I don't picture anybody other than organized crime and criminals who would want to legalize such offensive weapons that have no place in self-defense and give self-defense a bad name."
As the dialogue continues, with the Gilbert teen violence subcommittee calling for restrictions on brass knuckles, and lawmakers such as Kavanaugh ready to propose a bill addressing the issue, it's clear the conversation on these weapons is far from over. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg has confirmed his willingness to work with legislators on any bill that aims to reduce crime.
