# Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-104: Criminal use of prohibited weapons > Arkansas · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-104 ## Section - **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-104 - **Heading:** Criminal use of prohibited weapons - **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** AR Code / Title 5 / Chapter 73 / Subchapter 1 / Section 5-73-104 ## Text (a) A person commits the offense of criminal use of prohibited weapons if, except as authorized by law, he or she knowingly uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in any: (1) Bomb; (2) Metal knuckles; or (3) Other implement for the infliction of serious physical injury or death that serves no lawful purpose. (b) This section does not apply if the person uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in an item described in this section that is in compliance with the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5801 - 5861 , or other applicable federal law, as either existed on January 1, 2019. (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that: (1) The defendant was a law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney, prison guard, or member of the United States Armed Forces acting in the course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited weapon; or (2) The defendant used, possessed, made, repaired, sold, or otherwise dealt in any article enumerated in subsection (a) of this section under circumstances negating any likelihood that the weapon could be used as a weapon. (d) (1) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class B felony if the weapon is a bomb. (2) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is possession of metal knuckles. (3) Otherwise, criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class D felony. Amended by Act 2019, No. 1051,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 495,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2013, No. 539,§ 1, eff. 3/28/2013. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 3104; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-3104; Acts 1993, No. 1189, § 7; 2005, No. 1994, § 438; 2011, No. 161, § 1. (a) A person commits the offense of criminal use of prohibited weapons if, except as authorized by law, he or she knowingly uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in any: (1) Bomb; (2) Metal knuckles; or (3) Other implement for the infliction of serious physical injury or death that serves no lawful purpose. (1) Bomb; (2) Metal knuckles; or (3) Other implement for the infliction of serious physical injury or death that serves no lawful purpose. (b) This section does not apply if the person uses, possesses, makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in an item described in this section that is in compliance with the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5801 - 5861 , or other applicable federal law, as either existed on January 1, 2019. (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that: (1) The defendant was a law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney, prison guard, or member of the United States Armed Forces acting in the course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited weapon; or (2) The defendant used, possessed, made, repaired, sold, or otherwise dealt in any article enumerated in subsection (a) of this section under circumstances negating any likelihood that the weapon could be used as a weapon. (1) The defendant was a law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, deputy prosecuting attorney, prison guard, or member of the United States Armed Forces acting in the course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited weapon; or (2) The defendant used, possessed, made, repaired, sold, or otherwise dealt in any article enumerated in subsection (a) of this section under circumstances negating any likelihood that the weapon could be used as a weapon. y, prison guard, or member of the United States Armed Forces acting in the course and scope of his or her duty at the time he or she used or possessed the prohibited weapon; or (2) The defendant used, possessed, made, repaired, sold, or otherwise dealt in any article enumerated in subsection (a) of this section under circumstances negating any likelihood that the weapon could be used as a weapon. (d) (1) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class B felony if the weapon is a bomb. (2) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is possession of metal knuckles. (3) Otherwise, criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class D felony. (1) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class B felony if the weapon is a bomb. (2) Criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense is possession of metal knuckles. (3) Otherwise, criminal use of prohibited weapons is a Class D felony. Amended by Act 2019, No. 1051,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 495,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2013, No. 539,§ 1, eff. 3/28/2013. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 3104; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-3104; Acts 1993, No. 1189, § 7; 2005, No. 1994, § 438; 2011, No. 161, § 1. ## Nearby sections - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-101 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-101.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-102 Possessing instrument of crime](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-102.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-103 Possession of firearms by certain persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-103.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-104 Criminal use of prohibited weapons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-104.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-105 Legitimate manufacture, repair, and transportation of prohibited weapons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-105.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-106 Defacing a firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-106.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-107 Possession of a defaced firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-107.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-108 Criminal acts involving explosives](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-108.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-109 Furnishing a deadly weapon to a minor](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-109.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-110 Disarming minors and mentally defective or mentally irresponsible persons - Disposition of property seized](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-110.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-111 Unlawful procurement of a firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-111.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-112 Certification by a chief law enforcement officer regarding receipt or manufacture of a firearm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-112.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-119 Handguns - Possession by minor or possession on school property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-119.md) - [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-120 Carrying a weapon](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-120.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C73_S1_S5-73-104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.