No, brass knuckles are classified as prohibited weapons under Costa Rica’s Ley de Armas y Explosivos (Law No. 7739), rendering their possession, manufacture, or sale illegal without explicit authorization from the Dirección General de Armamento del Ministerio de Seguridad Pública.
Key Regulations for Brass Knuckles in Costa Rica
- Prohibition Status: Brass knuckles fall under Armas Prohibidas (Article 3, Ley 7739), equating to category 1 restricted items. Unauthorized possession incurs penalties up to 10 years imprisonment under Código Penal (Article 259).
- Enforcement by DGAM: The Dirección General de Armamento conducts periodic inspections, including at borders and ports, with recent 2026 directives enhancing penalties for concealed carry.
- Exceptions: Only licensed security firms or military personnel may request exemptions via Permiso Especial de Porte, subject to rigorous background checks and justification of operational necessity.
Local authorities align enforcement with Decreto Ejecutivo No. 41547-MP, which mandates destruction of confiscated brass knuckles. Tourists carrying such items risk immediate detention and deportation under Ley de Migración y Extranjería (Article 137).