UK & law re expandable batons

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fergussheppard

Full Registered User
Forgive the beginner's question, but am I right in thinking an expandable baton is illegal in the UK and classed alongside flick knives, knuckle dusters etc as an offensive weapon? The exception to this I think is if one is kept in the home but used in self defence, whatever that concept now means in court? Thanks for any pointers.
 
Hippy is correct, It's a weapon made or adapted to cause injury. You can buy one and keep it at home to polish and flick when your bored but you cannot do anything else with it.


Mark
 
fergussheppard said:
Forgive the beginner's question, but am I right in thinking an expandable baton is illegal in the UK and classed alongside flick knives, knuckle dusters etc as an offensive weapon? The exception to this I think is if one is kept in the home but used in self defence, whatever that concept now means in court? Thanks for any pointers.
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Although each case of self defence in the home is taken on it's merits the question will be asked why you had it in the first place. It's not something you can easily buy over the counter. It may even under mine your defence in court.
 
As an expandable baton is only for use as a weapon you'd be on dodgy grounds using one for self-defence even in your home. As the only advantage of having an extendible baton over something such as a cricket bat is that its easy to carry around I can't see why you'd want one in your home when there are numerous items in the home which may be brought into use should the need arise.
Just because you have something that is technically a weapon doesn't give you an advantage in a fight.
 
i know the official line as do we all
but as the asp is for self defence (that includes police)and we are trained, licenced and registered by a goverment body ,its about time there were changes.

just a thought
mick
 
littlewoman said:
As an expandable baton is only for use as a weapon you'd be on dodgy grounds using one for self-defence even in your home. As the only advantage of having an extendible baton over something such as a cricket bat is that its easy to carry around I can't see why you'd want one in your home when there are numerous items in the home which may be brought into use should the need arise.
Just because you have something that is technically a weapon doesn't give you an advantage in a fight.
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I have a good old fashioned wooden baton at mine... 'Technically' it is an leaving present presented to me by the lads on my first coy. It seems to however 'mysteriously' come loose from its stand... Now it just rests on the stand...
 
hippy said:
I have a good old fashioned wooden baton at mine... 'Technically' it is an leaving present presented to me by the lads on my first coy. It seems to however 'mysteriously' come loose from its stand... Now it just rests on the stand...
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Funny that as I'm in a similar position...although mines aint a baton its a mounted HK53!!

okay okay its plastic before anyone has a bloody fit!! LOL

CM
 
hippy said:
pmsl.... Could you imagine bad guys face as cm takes HK off wall...
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You should have seen the guys face at RAF Aldergrove when I flew out with the 53 plaque wrapped up going through the scanner...



Rich H
 
Rich H said:
You should have seen the guys face at RAF Aldergrove when I flew out with the 53 plaque wrapped up going through the scanner...



Rich H
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Proberbly the same as the woman on the scanner when i went through city airport with a 3 foot IV training arm , airway trainer, Landmine and a bag of inert ammo. But it wasnt a patch on the faces of the passangers as the NIPS got it all out infront of them and then gave it me all back once it was cleared by the airport security manager. Some funny lucks on the flight back to leeds.
KTM
 
Don't go there! I stupidly took the wrong Ops bag on a Diplo Job and my 24 inch Monadoc got pinging going through Check point 24 at LHR. Tryed to bluff it with the jobs worth but he called in the uniforms from Heathrow Nick. Luckily for me the baton was confiscated and I was warned as to my future conduct and not arrested.

Another incident I recall was of a chap being arrested for carrying a full length US stlye baton whilst working with us on the High Profile / Risk Iraqi conference in London just before the kick off for Gulf II..... never saw him again !

The Old Bill are also now wise to you carrying a baseball bat complete with glove and ball in your car (As advised by an Ex BTP PC)!
 
covert munkey said:
Funny that as I'm in a similar position...although mines aint a baton its a mounted HK53!!

okay okay its plastic before anyone has a bloody fit!! LOL

CM
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When my spleen stops hurting...........! :D

A good mate of mine, an ex Para circa '82 had, for many years in his lounge, on the wall, an old SLR...... which I stupidly assumed was a de-ac.

Nope.

Its no longer on display...... but I'll bet it isn't far away!
ah! happy memories!................

Re: The original batons comment... there are many household items, which would prove effective in a self defence situation scattered about the home.... when you are bored one day, take a look about - then ask yourself why you were thinking of acquiring a baton in the first place!
 
Spoke to a copper mate today there sale to non UK police officers ie the public, was banned 6th June 2004. To aquire one from a uk company it has to be delivered to a police station address and warrant card ID is required before a sale.
KTM
 
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