5 cell maglite

[Rob454]

I have a 5 cell and a 3 cell maglite. the 5 cell is in my truck. A neighbor of was Seal beach PD and he said the 5 cell are illegal to have in a truck cause they can ebe used as a weapon. I can think of about 10 things in my truck that can be used as weapons. I had it in there for a long time and I never had a cop even say anything about it. Hes sort of I know everythign kind of guy but I thought i'd ask. He is no longer a cop he works for some insurance place now

Also is there any sort of tool that would draw the cops HMMM I wonder why that is here attention?

Thanx
Rob

[scootergmc]

Your neighbor is a moron.

[Jonathan Doe]

There are some regulation by LE agencies for the flashlights for their officers. I am not aware of the regulations on the civilian possessions.

[Fire in the Hole]

If it were a club, axe handle, or baton, your neighbor might have a case. As it is there is no restriction on how long of a flashlight a person chooses to own. You can have a 20 battery flashlight if you wanted. If your neighbor's statement was not misunderstood, he's having wet dreams.

[retired]

I don't know about the last part of FitH's statement, but he is certainly correct about the flashlight size. Keep it in your truck.

[BigDogatPlay]

+1... if you use the flashlight for it's intended purpose, it's a flashlight. If you lay someone out with it in a fight, generally speaking, it's 245 PC. If you were in danger of death or great bodily injury and defended yourself in the last extreme with the flashlight you might get a pass, or you might not.

Sounds like FUD to me on the part of the neighbor.

[yzErnie]

If your neighbor's statement was not misunderstood, he's having wet dreams.

I don't understand this above ^^^ comment.



To the OP: A 5 cell flashlight on its face is not illegal. If it had spikes taped to it and a sticker with 'thumper' that may be viewed differently. This is the same kind of FUD Megan's contact told her about a lone golf club or a baseball bat.

It could be used as a weapon of opportunity as long as the situation had digressed and the threat of serious injury or death presents itself.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Your neighbor's an idiot misinformed. It's not a weapon unless you use it/threaten to use it as one.

[Rob454]

I was replacing the batteries and I was placing it back in my truck and he walked over and said you know that's considered a deadly weapon right? I wasn't sure what he was talking abotu and I asked what is. he said the maglite. I asked why and he said due to the 5 cell capacity. only 3 cells are allowed. I just shrugged and put it back in my toolbox. I like the 5 cell cause it lasts longer than the 3 cell. I got pulled over before and no cop has ever said anything. Either way its back in my truck.
if it was a life and death situation I would use anything I had up to and including my teeth if it meant my survival.

[Tragic Image]

you could of asked him to cite PC/VC or case law...

[ojisan]

Back about 30 years ago these lights, when they first came out, were not sold to the public, only to L.E.
They were the first really strong flashlights that could be used as a club if needed, so they were really popular with L.E.
There were warnings to civilians here in CA not to own or have one of these in their cars.
Then things seemed to calm down, the novelty wore off, and sales to the public began.
I suspect this is where his comments came from.

[yzErnie]

I carried a 4 cell Kel Lite for years. I got it in 1976 and I still have it. With the invention of the Streamlights and Maglites is was retired years ago. It rests peacefully in one of my boxes of memorabilia form my career. It was a whole different era and style of law enforcement back them but I'm glad that bad boy can't talk!!

[retired]

I carried a 4 cell Kel Lite for years. I got it in 1976 and I still have it. With the invention of the Streamlights and Maglites is was retired years ago. It rests peacefully in one of my boxes of memorabilia form my career. It was a whole different era and style of law enforcement back them but I'm glad that bad boy can't talk!!

I stopped using my plastic county one once I got into the jail and bought a 5 C cell Kel Lite. Still have it, tho I don't really use it.

[Seesm]

I keep my mag lights (all 3 cell) in my cars for a light but in a life or death deal it may get used for something else... Double duty.

[Big D]

I believe (that means that the following may not be true) that at one time a spacer was made which replaced two of the three batteries in those 5 cell flashlights. This product was designed for LE so that they could carry the big flashlights which could double as a club while keeping its weight down. I also believe that some departments decided that as soon as you put the spacer in the flashlight it was no longer a flashlight it was now a club (and here is where the urban legend gets a little murky) And thus was
A) against policy for officers to carry
or
B) illegal for civillians to carry

Regardless of the above you are perfectly within your right to keep a flashlight in your truck.