NOTE: This information is not provided as legal advice. Always consult a lawyer and seek legal guidance.
Here are the laws regarding weapons in New Jersey. Most places consider a billy and expandable baton the same thing so the law would likely apply to all batons and other bludgeons.
New Jersey – Code of Criminal Justice
– 2C:39-3 Prohibited Weapons and Devices…
e. Certain weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, billy, blackjack, metal knuckle, sandclub, slingshot, cestus or similar leather band studded with metal filings or razor blades imbedded in wood, ballistic knife, without any explainable lawful purpose, is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
– 2C:39-1 h. “Gravity knife” means any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof
by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force… p. “Switchblade knife” means any knife or similar device which has blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife… u. “Ballistic knife” means any weapon or other device capable of lethal use and which can propel a knife blade.
– 2C:39-4. Possession of weapons for unlawful purposes… d. Other weapons. Any person who has in his possession any weapon, except a firearm, with a purpose to use it unlawfully against the person or property of another is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
– 2C:39-5. Unlawful Possession of Weapons… d. Other weapons. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful uses as it may have is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
– – e. Firearms or other weapons in educational institutions… (2)Any person who knowingly possesses any weapon enumerated in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any components which can readily be assembled into a firearm or other weapon enumerated in subsection r. of N.J.S.2C:39-1 or any other weapon under circumstances not manifestly appropriate for such lawful use as it may have, while in or upon any part of the buildings or grounds of any school, college, university or other educational institution without the written authorization of the governing officer of the institution is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
– 2C:39-6. f. Nothing in subsections b., c. and d. of N.J.S.2C:39-5 shall be construed to prevent… (2) A person carrying a firearm or knife in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this State for the purpose of hunting, target practice or fishing, provided that the firearm or knife is legal and appropriate for hunting or fishing purposes in this State and he has in his possession a valid hunting license, or, with respect to fresh water fishing, a valid fishing license;
(3) A person transporting any firearm or knife while traveling:
(a) Directly to or from any place for the purpose of hunting or fishing, provided the person has in his possession a valid hunting or fishing license; or
– 2C:39-9. d. Weapons. Any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, transports, ships, sells or disposes of any weapon including gravity knives, switchblade knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos… is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
– 2C:39-9.1… Any person who sells any hunting, fishing, combat or survival knife having a blade length of five
inches or more or an overall length of 10 inches or more to a person under 18 years of age commits a crime of the fourth degree…
New Jersey Case Law:
– “Concealment was not a necessary element of the offense of carrying a dangerous knife.” (1973)
– “Concealment of weapon at time of incident constituted important factor of offense of possession of dangerous knife.” (1971)
These are expandable baton laws for New Jersey. Basically there is a huge grey area. You really can’t carry them unless you have a lawful purpose to be carrying the baton. In these cases, you may be arrested and at the same time you may be found not guilty. I would suggest not carrying an expandable baton in NJ. I am not an lawyer and one should be consulted before risking carrying an expandable baton in Jersey.