Watch out for dangerous long sticks in CA :)

[phorvick]

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Rap artist "Snoop Dogg" was charged Thursday with one felony count of knowingly possessing a deadly weapon -- a collapsible baton -- while trying to board a plane in California, authorities in Orange County said.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Snoop Dogg -- whose real name is Calvin Broadus -- said he denies the charges brought against him by the Orange County District Attorney and called the baton "a prop."

If convicted the 35-year old musician from Sherman Oaks would face a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. A warrant has been issued for his arrest with $150,000 bail.

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

I reckon I don't get out much or watch the right movies.

Whats the problem with a collapsible baton?

I'd think it would be more like a cane.

Time to google again.

Vick

 

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Okay I'm reasonably embarassed, need coffee yet this morning.

I watched a high school band competition in Selma this weekend, complete with politicians and had little girls tossing flying batons on the brain.

Couldn't understand why a rapper thug type would want a rubber tipped chrome plated stick

Coffee is done.

Vick

 

[phorvick]

Telescopic batons

Both ordinary batons and side-handle batons are available in collapsible variants.

An expandable baton or telescopic baton or telescope baton is an intermediate-force weapon often carried by law enforcement and security professionals, used to gain control over violent subjects. The expandable baton typically comprises a cylindrical shaft that contains telescoping metal pieces that lock into each other when expanded, and a solid metal tip at the end of the extended shaft. When swung, the extended baton can cause substantial damage because of the high kinetic energy imparted by its solid metal tip upon striking a surface. Most strikes are done on large muscle areas of the subject to avoid permanent injury. Expandable batons come in various sizes, including 16, 21, 26, and 31 inches when extended. The purpose of a collapsible baton is threefold:

The collapsible shaft makes it easier for the officer to carry it and to sit in a car seat wearing it, since when collapsed it is between six and ten inches long.

The baton can be psychologically intimidating to an aggressive suspect upon seeing and hearing the baton being extended.

Many police administrators think that it presents a more peaceful image to the general public than the regular non-collapsible baton.

As of the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 2000s, a popular type of telescopic straight baton or friction lock baton is made of steel tubing which collapse together for carrying, and which slides apart to expand into the extended configuration. This device is commonly referred to as a "teleton", "asp", or 'cobra stick'. A small metal knob on the end adds weight when the baton was used as a bludgeon.

(above is a Wikipedia entry...if you translate, it means that the baton is the modern day version of the cave man's club...oooh....licensing of sticks,...are trees next? Perhaps not a weeping willow, but certainly a good hardwood tree like an oak should be banned if its limbs can be cut and used as clubs.)

 

[jnojr]

Whats the problem with a collapsible baton?

The problem is that you are not permitted to have one in the People's Republic of California. And that is all we need to know.

Of course, the elite are exempt from these laws. This will quietly go away with a fine and maybe some token "community service". You or me, three years in the state pen.

 

[gunsmith]

a felony

Whats the problem with a collapsible baton?

it's a felony, so the best thing to have is pepper spray and a loaded handgun.
yup!
if you legally own the loaded handgun it is a misdeameanor

 

[torpid]

Yes, batons are a no-no for the "people" here.
And you don't wanna know how bad it is in CA to have a dreaded (gasp) throwing star!

 

[Sry0fcr]

I might want to get one of those... After i check the legalities of course.

 

[NoPhilly]

You have to license a collapsible baton in CA?

Wow.

 

[El Tejon]

3 years in prison for a stick? Unbelievable.

 

[50 Freak]

I don't know about you guys...but with all the firearms, baton, knives, blowguns and other weapons laws here, CA a virtual crime free paradise.

It's so safe I have no problems walking any down the streets of Compton or Oakland. Nor do I ever worry about criminals using machine guns to hold up banks and getting into shootouts with the LE or any other silliness like that.

Thank God we have our laws...

 

[carpediem]

Collapsible batons are not licensed to my knowledge.

Neither are they explicitly illegal, however, it's pretty much a sure bet that you'll be charged with possession of or assault with a "billy, blackjack, sap" which is a felony. Kind of like the butterfly knife situation.