Batons Legal?

[Obiwan]

Someone asked me this today and I couldn't answer

He is a bike messenger and carries one on his bag...apparently it is legal where he lives (Oregon)...or he thinks it is

I never really gave them much thought

Are they legal for the average civillian or are they too scary?

[ssf467]

Legal until used illegally.

[KarlPMann]

Ummm, NO! Not in this state. Never have been either. Sorry, but I guarantee you they are not legal to carry like that for the average person. They are considered a "blackjack, club or bludgeoning device". Let me see if I can find a law to reference here. Karl.

[KarlPMann]

OK, I found the laws relating to dangerous and illegal weapons. I gotta retract my previous statement. They used to include a variety of types of bludgeoning devices. Now it appears they only include "black jacks", which typically require some type of springy action between the handle end and the striking end. So any type of standard night sticks would probably be fine. Just stay away from the "Nun Chucks" style used by some police and any that have "spring action" of any kind and he would be OK in Colorado. Karl oops Mann. [Flower]

[mr_will]

yea standard batons are legal, but not slap jacks, or the ASP spring batons. I would feel more comfortable with a big can of FOX myself.

[Obiwan]

Yeah...I think he was referring to a collapsible unit

[hkOrion]

So what about open or car carry of one of the ASP batons? Is it just illegal to CCW one?

I've got one that you need to 'flick' open, i don't believe it's spring loaded. It's a real bitch to collapse too - you need a really hard surface.

[mr_will]

what we mean by spring is not spring loaded. but the baton itself is actually a large heavy spring.

[KarlPMann]

Correct. There are spring loaded batons, and those are fine. It's the type that have a spring of sorts that is a sort of part of the shaft. So the striking end and the handle end have a spring in between them that acts to increase the impact of the striking end. So an ASP that is spring loaded is legal. But beware, there are also ASP batons that have the spring as part of the shaft, and those are not legal for carry of any type, CCW or otherwise. Karl.

[Pet_Rock]

Obiwan,
Here are some examples of spring batons and non-spring, both extend when you "whip" them. However one is a series of springs while the other is composed of three cones of steel that interlock.

sorry for the way I posted these

and don't ask where I got the spring one from!!

[Bitter Clinger]

Any new info on this? I've tried searching and cannot find relevant statutes. I want for when i can't carry a gun, like at work, or when im (rarely) at a other place I cannot carry.

[jerrymrc]

I am glad ya searched but talk about some people long ago and far away. [Beer]

[Mazin]

Hell I never gave it a second thought. I have had this little guy in everyone of my wife's cars since we met, guess I better start thinking about it. Totally tension with no spring and 27"

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/05/ypysana6.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/05/3a8aveta.jpg


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[Kraven251]

I can't quote any statutes, but I have one with me at work all the time. Picked mine up at one of the Tanner shows. They had the spring batons there as well, glad I didn't get the spring version as I wasn't aware they were on the questionable list.

[Gman]

Holy WABAC machine, Mr. Peabody.

[Ah Pook]

I am glad ya searched but talk about some people long ago and far away. [Beer]

Yep. I'd forgotten about some of them.

[StagLefty]

I am glad ya searched but talk about some people long ago and far away. [Beer]

WOW I thought I was having a senior moment when I saw Karl !!!

[lawmage]

Quick glance shows:

18-12-102. Possessing a dangerous or illegal weapon - affirmative defense



...

(2) As used in this section, the term "illegal weapon" means a blackjack...
...
(4) A person who knowingly possesses an illegal weapon commits a class 1 misdemeanor.

----------------------

18-12-101. Definitions - peace officer affirmative defense

(a.5) "Blackjack" includes any billy, sand club, sandbag, or other hand-operated striking weapon consisting, at the striking end, of an encased piece of lead or other heavy substance and, at the handle end, a strap or springy shaft which increases the force of impact.

[Irving]

They sell the kind Mazin posted at the Army Surplus store.

[Gman]

Based on the description, a collapsible baton does not meet the literal definition of a blackjack...but I'm also not a lawyer.

This is a blackjack;
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDgza0uxzoMuANYlXcoLxYKGfnBd-2nBba9x0U_VoQr7tNxR6o4g

[Dave_L]

All I know is I'm a huge Rockies fan and love those novelty baseball bats.

[davsel]

Based on the description, a collapsible baton does not meet the literal definition of a blackjack...but I'm also not a lawyer.

This is a blackjack;
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDgza0uxzoMuANYlXcoLxYKGfnBd-2nBba9x0U_VoQr7tNxR6o4g

No, THIS is a blackjack
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBa-RacNXUpWnu1ODB8ENyvCve0r90T2pLmLIE0Oaar9mmiy0j

Or perhaps this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Jack_Black_2_2011.jpg/220px-Jack_Black_2_2011.jpg

[Mazin]

They sell the kind Mazin posted at the Army Surplus store.

I forgot its not an asp it's a tire checker see

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/08/yqu6upeg.jpg


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[Mazin]

Sadly to say after that photo was taken it was cut up, melted and forged into a bar that helps baby seats be more stable.


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[Irving]

I bought a tire checker from a truck stop just before driving through Illinois.

[MrPrena]

They sell the kind Mazin posted at the Army Surplus store.


IF someone just want to have a baton to play with, get those heavy Chinese made baton at a surplus store. Those are actually stronger than ASP.
IF someone is gonna carry a baton for over 10hr/day on a duty belt, ASP is way to go. ASP be probably 1/3 weight of those cheap batons.

[Squeeze]

Never been a fan of the collapsible batons. I prefer a nice solid piece of hickory or koka bola wood. Sure, it's heavier and not as compact, but seems to be more of a "show stopper" than the ASP friction-lock collapsible batons. Monadnock makes a positive-lock collapsible baton that I think is pretty sweet. Still prefer the straight baton though.

[Irving]

We had a Denver cop friend that whipped out his collapsible baton once and laid it on the table. Thing was so bent in the middle it wouldn't even roll over.

[Double00]

MAG lite! Carry one every day on route