[BigBlock]

Last night I was watching something on TV, and the bad guy pulled a collapsible type night stick out of his pocket, threw it open, and whacked somebody with it. (not the first time I've seen one)

Anyway, what exactly are those things called...and would it be legal for me to carry one?

[mokin]

I picked up an item called a "Sipo" around 20 years ago. I carried it a lot and used it several times on dogs that chased me on my bicycle a couple of times (not sure how effective it was). It was gravity/centrifugal force operated and constructed of two springs that collapsed into each other and a tube handle. There were similar items marketed available by ASP at the time. I have recently found out that such items are very restricted/taxed here in Colorado.

[M203Sniper]

Expandable batons;
You can get one from a catalog geared towards law professionals.
They can be expensive.

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=BA113&cat=3005

Liability is a big thing I'd say - it is considered less then lethal - up to - lethal force.

the best IMHO http://www.batons.com/autolock.aspx

[coyotehitman]

If you want an expandable, you want an ASP. This is the finest expandable baton on the market. I would get a steel one (no airweights) and get a 21 incher, 26 tops. They have a LT warranty as well, but I have only seen one ASP that was broken during use in the past 12 years.

The ASP is a very effective impact tool. I have used them for SD, and I have accidentally been struck with one during training. They take care of business. Teaching, I see just about everything on the market, and a few students always have the "newest and best."

M203, have you used the Monadnock? I was not very impressed with them, other than their ease of closing, and I have seen 2 broken on a training dummy. What sold you on them?

Liability is a big thing I'd say - it is considered less then lethal - up to - lethal force.

They are designed to be less than lethal, defensive, impact tools. Used according to the manufacturers training protocol, they are. If you deviate from that protocal, or chase someone down and beat the tar out of them, I'd say you are asking for legal troubles unless you can justify such actions. In addition, certain manufacturers will provide legal support provided you follow their protocol and are properly certified in their products use.

[hso]

Other companies now make quality expandable batons along with ASP, but make sure you order from a company like Galls so that you don't end up with an imitation POS.

[NorestRDS]

i think the funniest thing about this board is the distinction people make about "good guys " and "bad guys" .. what made him a bad guy?

[NorestRDS]

also a asp is considered a offensive weapon , in my state of PA it is put in the same category as a sawed off shotgun and a grenade . Its not a less lethal weapon .

[Dismantler]

NorestRDS...the OP said that he was watching a TV show. Clearly on most TV shows we know who the good guy is and who the bad guy is. My guess is that doing something bad made him the bad guy. :)

This may not be so in books, where there is time for plot development...but on TV we generally know.

[NorestRDS]

well obviously im a "good guy" at jumping to conclusions.

[sm]

ASP (and similar) are not legal for me, in my jurisdiction.

I have messed with them, some owned by Non-LEO, such as Private Investigators that had to take training, in not only the Legal aspects also in how to use the ASP (similar).

Pay attention here as what comes next I found real fascinating.
We had some folks that used some private ranges I assisted with that were Blind,or Legally Blind.
(Yes these folks shot real gun with real bullets).

These canes that blind, or legally blind with limited sight use, do "fold".
It will blow your mind what a blind, or legally blind person can do, with one of their canes, with some training.

"What a prudent person would do in this situation".

First responders, grand jury, or jury will hear these words said often , as will folks seated next to Attorneys representing and defending a client.

For me, I chose to NOT have a ASP or go through those hoops to allow me legally have one.

I do recommend blind and legally blind persons get some tips and training on the cane, they own and use daily.

[mgregg85]

I do believe they are illegal for the loyal subjects of Michigan but if I did buy one, it would be an ASP. Maybe I'll get one to keep in the car if they aren't illegal in North Carolina.

[M203Sniper]

I don't like the ASP brand or any friction lock open baton because; I carry one at work and dislike the quality, I have seen ones issued that just fall open and others that wouldn't open at all. I have broken one (it wouldn't close again) on the window of a Chevy Tahoe. The glass broke too so the job got done but i ended up holding broken equipment. I like the Monadnock because it has a positive open and close feature.

Some people like a Glock and some like an XD. I have even met a few that won't carry a gun whose design wasn't at least as old as they are. I don't like the XD, IMHO it won't do anything I don't already have a Glock for, same thing. YMMV.

I forgot to ask - did the movie have Clint Eastwood in it?




<---- Not a cop BTW.




;)

[coyotehitman]

also a asp is considered a offensive weapon , in my state of PA it is put in the same category as a sawed off shotgun and a grenade. Its not a less lethal weapon .

What PA considers it, and what it was designed to be, are two different things. The ASP IS designed as a less lethal impact tool. This is why head, groin, throat, etc. strikes are not a part of the ASP training system.

[Skofnung]

NorestRDS...the OP said that he was watching a TV show. Clearly on most TV shows we know who the good guy is and who the bad guy is. My guess is that doing something bad made him the bad guy.

This may not be so in books, where there is time for plot development...but on TV we generally know.

I'll bet he was watching "Lost." It is hard to tell who the "good guys" are on that show. (I don't normally watch TV, but my evil brother in law got me hooked on this particular show.)

To the point, you can carry one in some states, Florida being one of them. Truth be told, you would be better off with a solid hardwood walking cane. The one advantage ASP type batons have over regular ones is concealability.

[neviander]

I'm not sure of the legality of a collapsible baton in all states, but from what I read and understand, it has quite a bit of a psychological deterrent to it. If an unarmed (not carrying a firearm that is) freak tries to come up on you from even, say 7 yards or so, and you crack open that baton in plain view, he's gonna think twice, if not walk away.

[Geronimo45]

Truth be told, you would be better off with a solid hardwood walking cane.
Which is legal everywhere, too boot (AFAIK).

[M203Sniper]

Yeah a cane is legal.....

http://images.nearbynow.com/productimages/spencergifts/f8/002927f8_360x360.jpg


as long as it matches my golden cup with all the pearl trim....:neener:

[waterhouse]

also a asp is considered a offensive weapon , in my state of PA it is put in the same category as a sawed off shotgun and a grenade . Its not a less lethal weapon .

The makers of the baton would disagree. Granted, just about every item could be used as an offensive weapon in some way, but the very first question on the collapsible baton multiple choice certification test was:

"The collapsible baton is designed for ________ purposes.
a) offensive
b) defensive"

The correct answer was B.

It is in fact a "less lethal" weapon. If I hit you in the common peroneal (a nerve in the leg, and a common target for a baton strike) with my baton and all goes well, you will receive no permanent damage. Even if I miss my target, I may wreck your knee, but this is not usually lethal. Compare that with my handgun which is designed for lethal force (as opposed to less lethal).

If you want to hurt me, and you have a knife, I would probably respond with lethal force (my gun). If you are unarmed and about my size, I would take out my baton (or perhaps OC spray) and attempt to control the situation without causing permanent damage to you (less lethal force.)