FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Self-defense keychains are growing in popularity, but according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Department, if you are caught with one you could face jail time.
Esmi Careaga visited the Fresno County Courthouse in downtown Fresno where deputies have confiscated a number of these self-defense keychains when people are entering the building.
While working at the Fresno County Courthouse, Deputy Ethan Bare has seen his fair share of items try to make through the door.
Over the years he's confiscated a treasure chest full of pocket knives, kitchen knives, and much more.
Recently, he's seen an uptick in self-defense keychains try to make it passed the courthouse metal detectors.
At first glance, they look like harmless cat or dog keychains.
But as it turns out, they're actually used as a deadly self-defense weapon.
Deputies say they're known as Plastic Knuckle Dusters, which fall under the umbrella of brass knuckles, which are illegal in the state of California.
Deputy Bare says people tell him they got them because they're cool and the like cats, but he tells them they are not allowed to have them and they could end up in jail.
He also adds just because you buy something online doesn't mean it's legal in the state you are inso you have to make sure to check the laws within your own state before buying.
