billy clubs (?)

[sakimoto]

Does anyone know where to get billy clubs or the British Bobby Stick? I remember a good while back you could find them in surplus catalogs, but now they seem to be scarce. Any information will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sakimoto

 

[CWL]

You might have some success googling "tire thumper".

 

[7X57chilmau]

Good thought CWL....

Many truck stops here sell "hickory tire knockers", basically a stout hickory stick with a handle, 20 or 24" long.....

J

 

[rcmodel]

Try "fish billy" too.

Be forewarned that Billy Clubs & Black Jacks are considered deadly weapons in most jurisdictions.

If you carry a tire-knocker, you better have a big truck!

rc

 

[Piraticalbob]

You can find the genuine article at Atlanta Cutlery.

 

[godsdog]

Make your own Black Jack... Take a 10" piece of thick walled 3/8" I.D. flexible rubber pipe.... cut the head off a 4" stainless 3/8' bolt and insert it in one end of the pipe. Pack the empty section of the pipe with salt (to stiffen the handle section). Seal both ends with a small rubber plug and CAT cement. Voila... Black Jack. Cheap... an' it works!!!

 

[Carl Levitian]

Not to rain on anyones parade, but be very carefull of what is called a "prepared weapon".

When I had to clobber that pit bull that attacked our corgi, and I had to defend my self against the owner, the judge who tossed out the case against me because my hornbeam hiking stick was not a "prepared weapon" considering the place of the attack.

Somehow, the instument, place, and time, can conspire to give an abitious deputy DA a case of intent to commit mayhem. Not right, but there it is.

Be carefull gentlemen, what you have on you these days.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

That's exactly the point I tried to make in post #4.

If you use it inside your home against a BG, there would probably be no problem

If you use it in a bar fight, or to defend yourself on the street, you are going to jail for using a deadly weapon!

rc

 

[bikerdoc]

any sort of "billy club" is illegal in VA

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Monadnock T-batons are legal in Maine, and make great "doorway" weapons against forced entry. Also good car clubs.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Billy clubs, saps, blackjacks, impact martial arts weapons like nunchuks, are all illeagal in Maryland.

 

[ChristopherG]

In WA, some such weapons--like the blackjack described by godsdog--are always illegal to possess at all; some--like nunchucks--are only illegal on school grounds; and others may be illegal based on the 'totality of the circumstances.'

Lesson: know your state laws. Making the wrong choice will put you on the wrong side of the high road.

 

[TehK1w1]

Here in TX truckers have been known to be arrested and charged with possesion of a club in their vehicle-even if it was a "tire thumper" (with the name stamped into the handle!), and it was in an 18-wheeler. I don't recall the source because it's been some time since I saw it, but it was creditable.

 

[Thruhike98]

bikerdoc: I'm interested in learning more about your source for this info: "any sort of "billy club" is illegal in VA"

I have been searching for the answer as it relates to an ASP, but have not found anything definitive (for me) in the VA code. The closest thing I've found is reference to a two-part weapon that is hinged, i.e. nunchuks. I thought about the blackjack reference, but a club or baton wouldn't be a leather-covered, lead-weighted blackjack. I believe this is the relevant section:

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Any ideas where the "baton" or "club" info might be found?

 

[TimboKhan]

It strikes me as somewhat odd that whacking someone with a baseball bat is probably legal (circumstances aside), but whacking someone with a purpose-made billy club is not. In my mind, a stick is a stick is a stick...

Crazy.

 

[arcticap]

Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Any ideas where the "baton" or "club" info might be found?

Firstly, the statute is only talking about hidden or concealed weapons. So carrying a bat or stick in the open isn't covered by this statute unless it's concealed from observation.

However it does state: "or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."
That expands the entire catagory of concealed weapons that can't be carried which then becomes a grey area.
Personally I don't think that a bat or baton is a weapon of a like kind, but if it's considered to be an instrument to whack someone in the head with, then it may indeed resemble one of the illegal weapons of a like kind by belonging to the catagory of weapons having a similar function.
If a spring stick or a blackjack is interpreted as being designed to be used in a similar manner with the same purpose as a baton, then it could be argued that a club is illegal to be carried concealed.
It would be up to a jury to decide if the prosecutor was over-zealous and wanted to take it to trial, but it's important to be aware that the meaning of statutes are often interpreted to expand their text.
It's also possible that a cop would arrest or confiscate first and let the court sort it out later if such a baton was discovered and he felt that he had probable cause to be concerned about public safety.
Arrests and prosecutions occur within the context of an event or incident, and there can always be extenuating circumstances to cause increased concern.
If law enforcement thinks that someone was looking for trouble or intended to threaten, they can try to skew the law to prosecute as an example and to set a precedent.
These officials don't usually get into trouble for making "honest" mistakes either.
In general, the statute appears to exempt batons and clubs from concealed carry. But be extra careful because I'm not a lawyer and even if I was, that wouldn't make me the cop who might get upset and suspicious when he happens to find a baton concealed on your person.

 

[Piraticalbob]

In any event, the original poster may simply be a collector and not wish to carry it as a weapon, in which case all this discussion will have been for naught.

 

[godsdog]

I realize Black Jacks are illegal to possess in the U.S., however it is not illegal to discuss them or the contruction of them, if you choose to make and carry a Black Jack it's your choise and you cowboy up to the consequenses if you get caught. It's handy to know how to make one if you find yourself in shady foriegn places (like Russia) out of generally availible materials and it's cheap enough you can dump it if you need to. Sometimes one has to think outside the box. It is not looked down upon to share experiences on THR I hope. Knowledge is not illegal.

 

[ChristopherG]

It is not looked down upon to share experiences on THR I hope. Knowledge is not illegal.

No, knowledge is not illegal; it's cool and it's why we're all here. Just making sure the OP and other readers know that the Law in some places views such objects as okay ONLY at the level of contemplation and discussion.

So, even if:

the original poster may simply be a collector and not wish to carry it as a weapon

merely possessing some such objects in some jurisdictions is a crime. Just another vote for knowledge: know the law, it can be surprising.

 

[CWL]

I remember when I used to make billy clubs in woodworking class. Used to get an "A" for the lathe-work.

 

[bang_bang]

I carry "club" type weapons in my vehicle for emergency situations. If someone tries to mug me at a stoplight or something, I have a Bow-Flex rod cut in half to smack him with. In the truck I have a pool cue and baseball bat.

I mainly use these in hotel rooms. Keep one in the car, and one in the room.

I have used them helping someone change a tire. Wheel was stuck on it lugs, so a couple of quick smacks with the bat dislodged it. The Bow-Flex rod is used to double as a hood prop, help get engine belts back on, and even used it to help move some sheep and horses with a friend.

I'm in VA also. The cops don't mind the fact I have a baseball bat in my car or the Bow-Flex rod. There are people with worse in their car for them to worry about me with a piece of plastic.