Advice on a baton.

[macadore]

I am retired and have had heart problems so I ride a bicycle for exercise. I frequently put my bike on the bus and take the bus downtown. I have been carrying a Glock 32 in a fanny pack when I ride. The bus system in San Antonio recently banned firearms and carrying serious fighting knives is illegal in Texas, so I have been considering an expandable baton. I would appreciate any advice anyone might have.

What should I look for? Is there any particular brand any of you recommend? What length should I get. Anything else I need to know.

 

[JShirley]

ASP is always good. For concealment, 16 or 21" are your choices.

Check your laws carefully.

 

[sgt127]

In Texas, you cannot carry a "club" of any kind. Your CHP won't cover that. However, theres no reason a retired person would seem out of place with a good hickory cane. Option #2, you can legally carry a knife that is under 5 1/2" and not a "Bowie knife, dirk dagger or stilleto. Generally meant to imply that it cannot be double edged. A 5 1/2" blade is nothing to sneeze at though.

 

[msb45]

You're riding a bike, bike tires lose air. Carry a nice 20" aluminum tubular air pump. Problem solved if you know what I mean.

 

[hso]

Look for a steel pump if possible since the Al pumps on our bikes won't do much more than buy you a momentary advantage.

 

[Gordon]

I saw a Mountain biker in Northern Hill billy Calif who turned his frame mounted pump into a .22 zip gun with intergal silencer! Didn't look that hard to do.He did not care if illegal!
On a saner note a hickory cane is an awesome weapon if you get a little training for it.Better for defense than a knife I believe.

 

[Phydeaux642]

It's a little difficult to carry a cane on a bicycle. It can be done, but it's a pain in the behind.

I do have to ask you this, though. What's the penalty for carrying on the bus? Where I live there are places that are posted, but the penalty is being asked to leave. So, I just keep it concealed and no harm, no foul. YMMV, though.

 

[IlikeSA]

Im not a lawyer, nor a Texan, but isn't the law in Texas preempted, meaning that a city cannot pass a law more restrictive than the state? If it is no, then the ruling of the bus system wouldn't apply to CHL holders. If I were you, I'd do a bit more research and see if the ruling really does apply to you.

As a bike rider in a non-carry country (S. Korea) a pump works really well, and I second an earlier posters suggestion for carrying one.

 

[macadore]

Thanks for the advice. I have a light weight pump, but I will see what's available in a heavier version. I may also look into a way to clip a cane on the handlebars.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Yes, Texas is a pre-emption state... which means that if the bus system is operated by the local government they may not prevent your from legally carrying with a CHL.

Also, if it's a privately owned bus line, they would need to post a 30.06 compliant sign on the bus to prevent your from carrying on it. They may refuse you service without a 30.06 sign, but it's not legally binding which means no police or prosecution.

Check the actual wording of the prohibition. I suspect it says something about "prohibiting the unlawful carry of". CHL is lawful carry, and thus the prohibition wouldn't apply to you.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I don't see why you couldn't mount a cane to the spine of the bike.

 

[seal]

Yeah pretty sure public buses can not bar legal carry. Sign reads in most places in texas. "The unlawful carry of a firearm on these premisises blah blah blah" word two means does not apply to you

 

[macadore]

Check the actual wording of the prohibition. I suspect it says something about "prohibiting the unlawful carry of". CHL is lawful carry, and thus the prohibition wouldn't apply to you.

Yeah pretty sure public buses can not bar legal carry. Sign reads in most places in texas. "The unlawful carry of a firearm on these premisises blah blah blah" word two means does not apply to you

Thanks for the suggestion. It was announced on television that it would be illegal to carry weapons on VIA. However, I could find nothing concerning firearms. The only thing I could find in writing was,

“It is a violation to commit the following acts on a VIA vehicle, VIA facility or VIA property:

7. Carry or possess any illegal weapon. “


Since I'm legal, I'll keep carrying my Glock. Thanks for everything.

 

[hso]

That seems to handle that.