California Expandable Baton Laws

[Xn0r]

Wow. What I've learned from reading this thread will have saved me from possibly getting into a lot of trouble. cough. Nuff said on that.

So I guess pepper spray is legal? I'll be sticking with that I guess, until I get a CCW (not holding my breath).

I carry a 4D maglite in my car too, both for emergency illumination, and as a self defense tool (hope I never need it). Any legal issues with that?

CA seems to really have issues with folks being prepared for self defense. sigh.

UGH. So. If some situation presented it self where I was forced to use the maglite to defend myself against a perp, say, a carjacker, I could be charged with that state law. Absolute clowns running this state.

Well, I will not plan on obtaining any sort of blunt force weapon, but I'm going to leave the maglite in the car. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

[mej16489]

UGH. So. If some situation presented it self where I was forced to use the maglite to defend myself against a perp, say, a carjacker, I could be charged with that state law. Absolute clowns running this state.

Well, I will not plan on obtaining any sort of blunt force weapon, but I'm going to leave the maglite in the car. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

No, not quite. The important distinction is that you don't carry it with the intent to use as a weapon. Having it at hand and coincidentally using it as a weapon of opportunity for the purposes of self-defense, you should be in the clear.

I know its simply semantics, but this is CA and that's often the difference between illegal and legal.

[TrailerparkTrash]

I had a incident a while ago while walking and the thought it might have come in handy and prevented a dog bite. I am not looking for felons in the bushes... Sheeest...

Carry "suspect repellant" (aka: pepper spray). Works better on dogs than a collapsible baton. It's smaller, fits in the pocket and legal. The "Sabre" brand is wicked good stuff!

[BT JUSTICE]

When I retired, my ASP magically turned into a collapsible tire checker! I wouldn't get caught carrying it concealed, though. That along with my .45 might make ma' britches fall down....

[stormvet]

Not only can we not carry them when retired, we can't carry them off duty. Way to much risk to reward with batons, like others have said a mag light or walking stick is a much better option.

[AR15Man]

This is California. If you have to ask, it's illegal.

Congratulations


You're now nominated for the CalGuns 2014 Quote of the Year!!!

A CalGuns T-Shirt with that quote would be the bomb.

[AR15Man]

Not only can we not carry them when retired, we can't carry them off duty. Way to much risk to reward with batons, like others have said a mag light or walking stick is a much better option.

Why go hands on after you're retired?......just exercise your right to protect yourself with a C-2 Taser

[MARVIN GARDENS]

I was thinking about this subject and found this thread,

Interesting, and like everything else in California, makes no sense.

When our agency transitioned from the PR-24 to the Monadnock, we were told that after we qualified, we were allowed to carry them off duty as the law was different. We were not allowed to carry PR-24s off-duty previously.

I retired last year. I find it silly that I cannot carry a Monadnock on my daily walks with my dog, but can carry a 1911. I remember certain duties where we were not allowed to carry a baton. We carried four cell Maglights.

I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion but I think expandable batons are being underrated here. After using many of the options mentioned, I prefer the expandable baton to the PR-24 or Maglight. I have never hit anyone with a baseball bat but swung at a few fastballs in my youth. IMHO, the weight of the bat is a detriment as it's weight makes the bat harder to control. The expandables are much easier for me to use. My grandfather's straight stick could still be put to good use as well.

I liked the PR-24 but didn't like carrying them. I was happy to transition to the Monadnock and Surefire lights.

Best regards
Bob

[1CavScout]

^^^ Using an expandable baton with little weight behind it in my experience is not very effective though. You need weight to be able to incapacitate a determined suspect. The lightweight batons tend to flex when you are hitting someone. I want something with some weight behind it.

[esy]

The only expandable that I would use would be the Peacekeeper RCB.

[andyyazo]

same question w/o being current or retired law eforcement

I have the same question without being current or retired Law Enforcement, nor have a valid or otherwise CCW (whatever that is).

[jeffyhog]

I regularly see an older neighbor of mine out walking in the evening. He's always carrying a golf club, but there isn't a course for miles.

[74c5]

Too bad the injuries you acquired during your career cause you to sometimes walk with a "cane". One that might prove useful in other ways. There is a Korean self-defense discipline that is specific to canes.

[_XSV_]

but you'll put an eye out with that baton.