Billy club or a baton is a strong wooden stick with a handle grip designed to strike or hit people if they break laws, commit crimes, and do something terrible. Most police officers carry a Billy club with them.
According to a Penal law, the use of particular objects like firearms, electronic darts, guns, gravity and switchblade knives, Billy clubs, blackjacks, and metal knuckles unlawfully. Some people also use it for other legal purposes. Owning these items is unlawful. Even though some objects like knives or razors are often illegally used as weapons, they also have some lawful functions. That is why the owners of such things or any dangerous weapon or instrument are unlawful if someone uses it unlawfully against another person.
States with the Strictest Billy Club Laws
1. California
It is illegal to carry Billy clubs openly. It is only legal if a person has a certification other than CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit).
2. Connecticut
It is illegal to carry Billy clubs in Connecticut openly. Only the security guards that are on duty can carry them.
3. District of Columbia
It is illegal to carry Billy clubs in the District of Columbia openly. However, it is unclear whether having a Billy club concealed will incriminate you.
4. Hawaii
It is illegal to openly or conceal carry Billy clubs, so there is no point in needing any CHP or other permits. Fish bats are omitted unless you use them as a weapon.
5. Idaho
It is legal to carry Billy club openly in Idaho. However, it is vague to have them secretly, but this rule doesn’t apply to you if you are more than 18 years old or are on private property with the owner’s permission. You also need a CHP to use them.
6. Illinois
It is illegal to hold Billy clubs in Illinois, especially for using them unlawfully against another person or if you are in the government’s building. No exceptions are allowed for the use of Billy clubs among civilians.
7. Kansas
It is legal to openly carry and illegal to have Billy clubs in Kansas concealed. A CHP or other permission to use them won’t help either.
8. Louisiana
It is legal to carry openly, and it is unclearwhether having Billy clubs concealed in Louisiana will incriminate you. It is illegal to conceal any weapon to use instrumentality or use it as a dangerous weapon. Moreover, you don’t need a CHP or any other permit to carry them.
9. Maine
It is legal to carry openly and vague to carry Billy clubs in Maine secretly. You don’t need a CHP or any other permission to use them.
10. Michigan
It is unclear whether openly and secretly carrying Billy clubs in Michigan is an offense. However, it is illegal to have Billy clubs or use any dangerous or deadly weapons unlawfully against another person. Moreover, you won’t need a CHP or any other permit for using them.
11. Minnesota
It isnot specified if openly and concealed carryingBilly clubs in Minnesota is illegal or incriminating. However, it is unlawful to keep any dangerous item to use it as a weapon against others.
12. Missouri
It is legal to carry openly, and laws are vague on ruling for having Billy clubs concealed. It is illegal to carry any weapon that you can use for lethal activities. You will need CHP to use Billy clubs.
13. Nebraska
It is legal to carry a baton openly in Nebraska, but it is unclear whether having Billy clubs secretly in Nebraska will land you an offense. However, it is illegal to conceal any dangerous weapon. The state’s law allows you to use Billy clubs for self-defense only and depend entirely on the state’s discretion and decision.
14. Nevada
It is illegal to openly and secretly carry Billy clubs in Nevada. But if you want to use them, you have to get permission from the county sheriff before using them.
15. New Jersey
It is illegal to openly and secretly carry Billy clubs in New Jersey. Although you can’t use CHP to use them, the guards with CHP and a training certificate can. You will need a permit to use them.
16. New Mexico
The law is vague on openly and secretly carrying Billy clubs in New Mexico, but it is illegal to have dangerous and deadly weapons on you. You will need a CHP to use them.
17. New York
It is illegal to openly and secretly carry Billy clubs in New York. So, there is no point in getting any CHP or any other permits for using them.
18. South Carolina
It is legal to carry Billy clubs in South Carolina openly, and unclear whether one can keep it secretly. It is illegal to have a weapon that is dangerous and can inflict personal injury.
19. Tennessee
Tennessee has made it illegal for both open carry and concealed carry of Billy sticks. A special permit besides CHP may be considered as approval of usage.
Types of Billy Clubs
Straight Stick Baton
A straight stick is the most simples and oldest form of Billy club that is 1-3 feet long and is made from only one material. It also has a grip at one or both ends. Some of these sticks have a design to get a tapering shape so that more weight is added to the striking end to increase the damage a victim can get.
Side-handled Baton
The side-handled baton is based on a design that is similar to the Japanese tonfa. It is a cylinder with a second handle perpendicular to the main shaft found above the grip. It is sometimes called “PR-24”. Although it is the name of the commercial model, it is still popularly used.
Expandable Baton
The Expandable Baton is also known as a telescopic baton. This baton type consists of 2 or 3 shafts that you can slide into one another to reduce its size when you are not using it. These batons have different mechanisms that they use, like lock-open with friction, ball-bearing system. Some rods are also spring-loaded.
Billy Club–A Very Highly Regulated Tool
Billy clubs are a must-have for you if you live in an area where crimes are common and are reported very often. They can help you a lot in self-defense in dangerous circumstances, such as fighting criminals, avoiding burglary, etc.
However, before buying or using a Billy club, you must keep the Billy club laws in mind, or you might get into some serious trouble.