State Baton Laws - Weapon Laws for Dummies (2024)

The following is a comprehensive compilation of the laws on civilian carry of batons, also called nightsticks or billy clubs, in each state of the US. The baton is a roughly cylindrical club weapon used predominately by law enforcement, corrections and security personnel as a less-than-lethal measure. This includes three major variants:

• Straight stick - The oldest and simplest form, this is simply a stick 1-3 feet long, usually made of one material and having a grip at one or both ends. Some are formed to have a tapering shape so that more weight is at the striking end.
• Side-handled - A design based approximately on the Japanese tonfa, this is a cylinder with a second handle perpendicular to the main shaft located above the grip. Sometimes called a "PR-24," though this is a commercial model name that simply fell into popular use.
• Expandable - Also called a telescopic baton, this type consists of 2 or 3 shafts that slide into one another to reduce its size when not in use. Mechanisms vary; some lock open with friction, some use a ball-bearing system, and some are spring-loaded. Sometimes called an ASP, but this is actually the name of a company that makes a popular product line.

The following items are distinct from batons and will NOT be covered in this list to avoid confusion:

• Blackjack - Also called a slapjack, sap, or cosh, blackjacks are short, mostly rigid club weapons consisting of a heavy metal weight enclosed in a covering, usually leather but sometimes other materials such as cloth, woven rope or plastic.
• Slungshot - A broad term for a heavy weighted object at the end of a flexible chain, rope, cloth or leather pouch. While similar to blackjacks in basic principle, the shaft is flexible enough for the item to be rolled up and stored. Sometimes called a "sand club" or "sand bag" in legal contexts. Not to be confused with a slingshot, which is a projectile weapon using rubber bands.
• Knuckles - Sometimes called knucks, these consist of a rigid item with holes for the fingers that, when held with a closed fist, present a hardened or even spiked surface across the knuckles to cause more damage with punches.
• Nunchaku - also called numchucks, nunchaku are a martial arts weapon consisting of two cylinders joined by a rope, strap or chain.
• Yawara/Kubotan/Pocket-stick - Short cylinder held in the fist that is used for hammer-fist strikes and pressure points.

Legend for this List

• Legal - Carry is permitted either explicitly or any restriction is completely absent.
• Illegal - Explicitly prohibited.
• Vague - Law contains ambiguous language and no case law or Attorney General decision exists. See Comment.
• With CHP - If having Concealed Handgun Permit affects legality (actual name of a firearm carry permit varies by state)
• Other Permit - If a permit or certification other than a CHP can be obtained to carry.

NOTE: This list covers carry by people who are neither law enforcement nor corrections officers, in public places away from one's home, and does not cover carry on school property, government property, airports, or military installations. This list also does not cover local laws at the county or city level.

This page was created in mid-2016 as a lark and is not generally updated unless someone e-mails me about a law change. The only update I've made since that year is Texas in 2019. Please see the Contact page for my e-mail if you have another law change you would like reflected in this page.

page revision: 28, last edited: 07 Jul 2020 11:18