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.

[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!!