Are batons illegal?
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Eastenerwesterner
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Welcome, and I do not know that answer.
Been thinking of getting a multipurpose walking stick myself.
Been thinking of getting a multipurpose walking stick myself.
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May require a certificate: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...ectionNum=22295.&highlight=true&keyword=baton
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I don’t know but smith snd Wesson sent one to my address
I see walking sticks for sale around Lake County everywhere, I just saw some at Brunos Market and CVS both.
As of late 2025, California's ban on expandable batons (billy clubs) is currently enjoined (paused) due to a federal court ruling finding it unconstitutional, meaning civilians may be able able to possess and carry them for self-defense, though this is a complex legal situation with potential for further appeals and enforcement changes, with licensed law enforcement/security personnel still having specific rules. While historically illegal under California Penal Code 22210 (PC 22210), a federal court blocked enforcement, making simple possession currently not a crime, but the state may still challenge this, and carrying them carries risks.
Key Points:
Old Law: California Penal Code § 22210 banned batons (including expandable ones).
Recent Ruling (2024/2025): A federal court ruled this ban unconstitutional, enjoining the state from enforcing it, making possession currently legal.
Current Status: You can likely possess and carry one, but it's a "wobbler" offense (misdemeanor/felony) under old law, and the legal situation is fluid.
Professionals: Law enforcement and security guards need specific permits, and carrying outside work hours is risky.
In Summary: While the state has historically banned them, a recent court decision temporarily lifted that ban, but it's a legally gray area, so proceed with caution as the situation could change
Key Points:
Old Law: California Penal Code § 22210 banned batons (including expandable ones).
Recent Ruling (2024/2025): A federal court ruled this ban unconstitutional, enjoining the state from enforcing it, making possession currently legal.
Current Status: You can likely possess and carry one, but it's a "wobbler" offense (misdemeanor/felony) under old law, and the legal situation is fluid.
Professionals: Law enforcement and security guards need specific permits, and carrying outside work hours is risky.
In Summary: While the state has historically banned them, a recent court decision temporarily lifted that ban, but it's a legally gray area, so proceed with caution as the situation could change
If someone had a baseball bat in a car, would that be considered a billy club? Or would it need to be smaller?
Isn't it legal to have a baseball bat in your car? Or a crow bar?
Isn't it legal to have a baseball bat in your car? Or a crow bar?
Eastenerwesterner
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May be I should have been clearer. Tactical walking stick A simple search will lead to what I am thinking
Had a really cool wood one found it when I was a kid, lost it in one of many moves.
Well, I think there's really one purpose, beat the heck out of someone...when needed. My intention would be to play baseball, until I needed it for defense.
The ones I see are similar, could be more deadly, actually. I see a lot of wood with big knots on the handle end. Tall ones, like chest or shoulder height. At my old house in West San Jose, I had a lathe wrench for a long taper on the lathe. I got it from a guy that cut them out of AR steel. They're like 4' long. Too heavy for a cane, but a good beater bar for intruders!
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I carried a 5-cell aluminum flashlight in my truck and car for years. I was told it was illegal and got rid of them.
Those are great beaters! I've never had to use one, but have carried them. How can it be illegal to carry a flashlight?
I'm 72. If I have to defend myself stupid laws, go out the window. The hell with this state.
Again, it is all how it is presented. Having a baseball bat in the car COULD be used as a weapon, but COULD be used for recreation. You drill spikes into said baseball bat, where it is no longer for recreation, but certainly to be used as a weapon, then there could be a problem.
It's all in the delivery.
It's all in the delivery.
Nah, I don't do anything like putting spikes in the bat. Currently I don't even have a bat in the truck, only a crow bar. 24" tire iron is light, and could be a great beater. Made out of steel.
Those are just everyday stuff. I’ve had a bat and some tools in my car for years without any issues. As long as you’re not using them as weapons, they’re generally viewed as what they really are. It’s the intention behind their use that can land people in hot water, not the items themselves.
True, for the most part. Just watch out for brass knuckles or switch blades.
How does this work if you do actually use one for self defense. Let's say I was to use a baseball bat in my truck, because although it is there, I had no plans to use it as a beater, until I was threatened, and at that point, that's what was available.
Would that be legal?
Seems to me that if someone did actually threaten you to the point that you had to use a baseball bat, a court wouldn't hold any of us guilty. Is that flawed thinking?
Yes, very flawed thinking.
The DA could flip the entire incident on the accused, and having that innocent baseball bat just proved that you were stirring up a problem, and the baseball bat was in fact the deadly weapon that provided you the needed courage to complete the dastardly attack.
In other words, you came into the fight with malice and forethought, and your second degree charge was just bumped up to first degree.
Does the DA get to make that decision? I would imagine the DA is pretty good at knowing how to fight cases to flip the incident on the victim. Although it doesn't seem right, there's not much in California that does...Yes, very flawed thinking.
The DA could flip the entire incident on the accused, and having that innocent baseball bat just proved that you were stirring up a problem, and the baseball bat was in fact the deadly weapon that provided you the needed courage to complete the dastardly attack.
In other words, you came into the fight with malice and forethought, and your second degree charge was just bumped up to first degree.
The DA's that I know are pompous asses. They only want wins, at any cost. If they fluff the initial charges, as I spoke about above, they would then allow the defendant to plea to a lesser charge because... a win is a win.
Of course for people like me, it's a loss. This is like what Harris did when she was DA.
Luckily for me, I've never even seen the inside of a jail, and I'd kinda like to keep it that way. No baseball bats in the car/truck.
