Qu re: batons in CA

[10-Ring]

What is legal in CA? Can I carry a collapsable baton? or maybe just a sawed off baseball bat?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Nothing is legal in CA, didn't you know that?

It is a felony to carry a knife, blackjack, baton or other weapon concealed. They don't want you injuring their muggers.

 

[Airwolf]

Can't find a thing but references to cops and rent-a-cops in regards to batons.

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/dwcl/dwc.htm

The "Dangerous Weapon Control Law" California 2003... All 140 some-odd pages worth of it.

 

[Dan Shapiro]

About all you can "legally" carry is a folder. Jim March will hopefully post here...he knows the PRK laws like this inside and out.

 

[tw1112]

Yeah I don't even think you can buy a baton less carry it. I am not too fresh on the local knife carry laws

 

[Hkmp5sd]

While CA has the classical old political CCW system (no right to carry except for politicians and celebrities -- e.g. anti-gun rights senators Boxer and Feinstein have permits) there are two things you should know. First: CA has a gray area defacto quasi-right-to-carry. The state law provides that carrying a concealed weapon (including a knife or blackjack) is a FELONY. However, the wise legislators kept a clear exception to cover all of their friends and relatives that carry illegally. If you are carrying a gun (not a knife!) AND it was legally purchased AND you are not a gang member (yes, they have a statutory definition of gang member) AND it is your first such arrest then concealed carry is only a misdemeanor. This was explained to me by several professionals and lawyers and I checked it out on the CA government web page. A typical fine is $200. Do not carry a knife or baton!

http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/california

 

[10-Ring]

Asked LE buddyof mine and he quickly 86'd the idea...oh well, back to scheming :banghead:

 

[Kahr carrier]

LOL

 

[ambidextrous1]

The next time you have a physical, tell the doc about how your knee (or hip, or ankle) is painful when walking on cold mornings; would he be kind enough to write a prescription for a cane, so you can deduct the expense?

Don't get creative and buy a sword cane!

 

[10-Ring]

OVer the summer, I was having some knee & ankle problems. I've already got a cane...really nice bamboo one that an uncle gave me. I can swing that bad boy pretty well Thanks for the idea ambidextrous1

 

[Jim March]

All batons and clubs are banned for civilian carry, collapsable or otherwise, with canes/walking sticks the sole exceptions.

Licenced security guards can get a "baton endorsement" on their guard card that allows open-carry of a baton in uniform. With that training, as with law enforcement, the baton becomes a NON-lethal weapon if used "properly", mainly no overhead blows, no blows to the head or neck. (The Rodney King video seems to show improper baton use, which was the main thing that eventually got some of the cops convicted.)

Canes/walking sticks carried by regular folks will always be classed as deadly force. If you're VERY well trained and use one for tripping/grappling/limb control moves AND leave your unarmed assailant largely uninjured, you might be able to get away with that. Maybe. Your milage may vary, I am not a lawyer, etc...but I've seen real experts with staffs in that size range do grapple techniques and I wouldn't want to mess with 'em. But this is ADVANCED stuff, not something you pick up off a video.

The two big areas of California law that are actually decent are the knife laws (not perfect, slightly complex but livable if you understand 'em) and the pepper spray laws which are excellent.

My guide to the knife laws is here:

http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/knifelaw.html

The "megafolders" are the finest generally available concealable deadly force legal in California. The Cold Steel Vaqueros/Voyagers in 5" or esp. 6" blade lengths are fantastic bargains, less than $80 at discount and reliable. The bottom of my knife law page goes into some of the options.

 

[10-Ring]

Thanks Jim