Expandable Batons?

[686+]

Any thoughts on these? Are they mostly legal in all states? I thought they would make a great non-firearm addition to a BOB.

[Working Man]

Not legal in Texas to carry but if it is in your BOB and if the SHTF you'll have
other things to worry about. :evil:

[Jeff White]

How do you envision using it? They are an intermediate force option just below using your firearm. Do you envision striking someone and then running off? Do you intend to use it to force compliance?

I use mine to break out auto glass at accident scenes or to extract a non compliant suspect from a vehicle. There are a lot of other intermediate force options that aren't as damaging to the other person and require less training.

I'd think about how I intended to use a particular tool before I invested money in aquiring one and training with it.

Jeff

[TallPine]

How about a D-cell Maglite...?

For those times when you absolutely can't carry a gun.

[english kanigit]

How about a D-cell Maglite...?

For those times when you absolutely can't carry a gun.

That my friends is exactly what I had to do when I was a delivery driver for Jason's Deli. Never had to use it on a person... dogs on the other hand. :scrutiny:

Made a nice, meaty thunk kinda sound. :evil:

[Voodoo]

They are illegal in CA. You're better off carrying a firearm (not that I'm suggesting that). Carrying an ASP in CA is a felony, while carrying a concealed firearm is a misdemeanor. Go figure...

[MrTuffPaws]

^^^^

That is true for the first time at least.

What ever happened to those spring expandalbe batons? You used to see them all over, now, it is just the ASPs.

[WvaBill]

How about a D-cell Maglite...?

For those times when you absolutely can't carry a gun.


It is only an illumination device.:evil:

[ctdonath]

They are illegal in many jurisdictions.

Being legal in GA, I'm finding it the most useful weapon available:
- no off-limit zones (at least places I frequent, like work)
- compact
- inconspicuous
- broad spectrum of application force
- barrier
- light poking
- persuasion
- pain
- damage
- lethal

These I find important as I'm most likely faced with having to be persuasive without restricting myself to invariably deadly force (gun, knife), but still have lethality available. Specifically I may have to fend off a dog bent on being more domineering than deadly; if I don't have to kill it I'd rather not (living in close proximity to owners). I can't always have a gun handy (work rules, jurisdiction issues), but the ASP is with me almost constantly. I choose it only after years of training with pistol, rifle, sword, sticks, and empty hands; the ASP baton gives me the broadest balance.

[NMshooter]

Do not know about where you are, but here in NM they are considered a deadly weapon, same as a firearm.

[Working Man]

+1 on the D-cell Maglite.

[psyopspec]

I'd considered it, but the warranty that came with mine says something to the effect that using the flashlight as an impact weapon voids the warranty. :(

Go figure.

[thorn726]

They are illegal in CA. You're better off carrying a firearm (not that I'm suggesting that). Carrying an ASP in CA is a felony, while carrying a concealed firearm is a misdemeanor. Go figure...

REally! wow, i need to let someone know that.

i had thought there was a size limit on them, smaller ones were legal, i guess not

[hso]

Asp is not the only brand of quality expandable baton available, but they all are used in much the same way.

It is legal to carry an expandable baton in many states, illegal in others, and legal with certification in some (TN). This means you MUST research the law in your state to determine if it is legal to carry an expandable baton if you want to stay out of felony territory.

An expandabl baton is just a very portable well designed stick. I train in escrima and am certified to carry an expandable baton. As such I carry a baton with nearly the same expanded length as an excrima stick. Anyone that has taken training in empty hand on stick, knife on stick or stick on stick knows what enormous advantge a "simple" stick gives someone with training.

I consider a stick to be an excellent option for self defense and would consider it an excellent non-firearm weapon to include in a BOB. OTOH a short segmented staff that you could assemble into a walking staff and screw apart to store or use as a baton would be a better additon to a BOB.

[jpthegeek]

I have had an ASP for over ten years. It's one of those things that is usually in the car/truck. I used to carry it in my backpack in younger years when I was walking in and around the city in the days before CC.

I had the misfortune to use it once outside my apartment. It was quite effective.

Very light, very concealable.

[NCP24]

How about a D-cell Maglite...?

For those times when you absolutely can't carry a gun.Just make sure you use the "right end".

[Andrew Rothman]

I'd considered it, but the warranty that came with mine says something to the effect that using the flashlight as an impact weapon voids the warranty.

Oh, I dunno. If you really need an impact weapon, do you care about voiding the warranty on a $20 flashlight?

[Curare]

I have had an ASP for over ten years. It's one of those things that is usually in the car/truck. I used to carry it in my backpack in younger years when I was walking in and around the city in the days before CC.

I had the misfortune to use it once outside my apartment. It was quite effective.

Very light, very concealable.

What happened? Where did you strike?

[MillCreek]

My preferred strike point was at any weapon being held. Beyond that, you are trained to preferably strike at joints to put down and immobilize the suspect: knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists. Whaling away at the head or spine was a big no-no, due to the potential for death or permanent neurological injury. Striking at soft tissue, such as the abdomen was usually not very productive.

The side or back of the knee is a very popular strike point. The person usually goes down like a tree, and it is painful to boot.

However, in the middle of a vigorous struggle, you cannot always pick and choose where to strike, so random strikes in the hope that the person will cease and desist are more common than you would think.

[Biker]

Yes. I carry a 15" adjustable wrench in my saddlebags. It can't be called a weapon per se, but it sure as hell can be used as one. Because I have a clear and valid reason for carrying one, it is a big plus on the GG's side in civil court, too.
Biker

[mitchshrader]

i have a BIG ol' screwdriver that is a nice tool. Real Big.

doubtful anyone would regard it as a (legally) deadly weapon.

can't see it being illegal to just HAVE it, anyplace.

i'd rather have it in hand than *most* knives in a personal altercation.

i think i gave 5$ for it at a pawnshop some years back.

[wizard of oz]

I carry an expandable baton at work sometimes (legally and with all correct certification) when it is always paired with cuffs. (It is used for self-defense when making an arrest). It is very comforting to have and fairly quick to deploy (must be carried in a pouch of some kind here) but generates a lot of paperwork if ever used ! A D cell maglite can be carried in hand at night here though since it is not a 'weapon'. Nice to have a length of steel to block a knife blade. A maglite also pairs up better with a handgun at night.

For a bugout bag, a tool of some kind as already suggested seems to make more sense to me than a dedicated baton. I'd rather have a shifter (adjustable wrench in americanese ?) or boltcutters. Another possibility is a perfectly innocuous workman's tool belt which can be filled with (perfectly legal) screwdrivers, hammers, files, nails etc.

[1 old 0311]

My late Father was a fan of the hammer and screwdriver. You can keep them ANYWHERE, they don't draw attention, legal everywhere. Between a hell of a stab wound, no expansion but good penetration, and a crushed skull they ain't bad. Cheap too.

Kevin

[walking arsenal]

Yes. I carry a 15" adjustable wrench in my saddlebags.

Maybe you should try some situps?:neener: