Police Baton Buyer's Guide
Let’s start with a brief history of the police baton.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1
What is the history of police batons?
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2
Why do I need a police baton?
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3
What are the most commonly available police baton types?
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4
What accessories I can get for a baton?
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5
What is the police baton rating system?
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6
What are the legal implications of buying/owing a police baton?
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7
What are the obsolete batons?
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8
What are the top baton options available?
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9
How to make sure your baton fits your requirements?
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10
Are there any baton tips available?
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11
What are the frequently asked questions on police batons?
HISTORY OF THE BATON
Early police batons were nothing more than a harsh, blunt force instrument that put law enforcement on the same level as riotous people. Certain versions were built specifically for security staff in restaurants and other public gathering spots across the city. Some batons were little more than an ax handle with a leather strap wrapped around them. Batons served as a leveling tool for both sides in physical clashes between authorities and ordinary citizens regardless of their design or lack thereof.
The Royal Coat of Arms, which was affixed to the batons of English officers during the Victorian era, symbolized their service to the King and Queen of England. Individuals sometimes went so far as to decorate the items with their family crests. To protect themselves, police officers in London carried one foot long batons known as billy clubs during this time. The Victorian period baton was a straight stick made of wood or synthetic material around 32 mm (1+1/4 in) in diameter and 460–910 mm (18–36 in) in length, with a fluted handle to aid in grasping.
The Baton experienced a change and rebranding in the 1970s. Tonfa baton was the name given to it. Because of the “Y” gap on the defensive tool’s short side, police could apply leveraged force during arrests. Although extensively used, the Tonfa baton was ultimately overtaken by newer and more secure variations. Expandable batons started to emerge as ultralightweight defense devices around the end of the decade. In contrast, the modern Baton is more than merely a blunt force instrument or an equalizer.
WHY DO YOU NEED A BATON?
There are various applications of a baton for self defense. A few applications have been detailed below:
POLICE APPLICATIONS - Depending on the circumstances, when a person is resisting a police officer, the officer may use the Baton as a leverage tool or a control hold weapon—mainly used for crowd control in riot situations. You have the option of employing your Baton against an aggressive or assaulting opponent. When under assault, the Baton’s principal targets are the sub-waist and major muscle groups. Technique is essential for getting the greatest outcomes while using a baton.
MILITARY APPLICATIONS - In some scenarios, a baton may be used as a weapon by military officers. It may be used defensively to block, offensively to hit, jab, or bash, and it can also be used to apply armlocks, among other things. The normal striking action is achieved by applying some skill level rather than a simple and direct blow, as would be the case with a standard blunt instrument.
ARMED SECURITY APPLICATIONS - The use of batons is not restricted to police and military officers only. Private security operators and bodyguards can also use it to protect those assigned to them.
SELF-DEFENSE APPLICATIONS - The military or riot police are trained to wield batons to handle huge crowds. They never intend to injure or even kill someone; instead, they use their victims’ dread of pain to take control of the situation. Therefore, a person forced to use a baton for self-defense may utilize pain or the dread of suffering as a form of self-defense. In reality, swinging and wielding a stick of any kind is extremely easy and basic for anybody, even those with no previous experience or instruction.
Police Safety Applications
Military Applications
Armed Security Applications
Self Defense Applications
TYPES OF BATONS
There are several types of batons available and we have listed a few for your convenience:
POLICE FORCE 21 INCH AUTOMATIC EXPANDABLE BATON
This police force 21 inch automatic expandable baton can be extended from 8.5 inches to over 20 inches with a single button press. A safety system prevents it from accidentally opening, which is a good thing given that it has a powerful 30 pounds of pressure when it comes out. However, an aggressor who ventures too close to the target may face serious repercussions!.
POLICE FORCE 31” EXPANDABLE BATON
Steel batons are being employed in place of conventional nightsticks by police officers and security personnel worldwide. The 11-inch solid steel baton is constructed in Taiwan and has a maximum length of 31 inches. It locks into place and extends your reach with a flick of the wrist, keeping you safe from an attacker.
TRIPLE DEFENDER 27,000,000 STUN BATON FLASHLIGHT
The Streetwise Security Products Triple Defender 27,000,000 Stun Baton Flashlight has a strong stun gun, a bright LED light, and a military-grade aluminum baton. Its triple threat strategy will keep you safe in any situation regarding self-defense.
PS EXP BATON 16” FOAM HANDLE BLK
This is a 16-inch expandable baton with a foam handle which directly translates to an easier grasp option.
ACCESSORIES
There are no major accessories for police batons other than holsters.
BATON RATING SYSTEM
There is no regulatory body governing the rating of a baton, and one would get what meets their requirements. However, people have used batons for thousands of years. Police have employed both collapsible and fixed batons for many years. It was intended to be a basic crowd control tool, but it has grown into a complex weapon. An extended baton is useful for jabbing and hitting in the appropriate spots and with the proper power.
Non-law enforcement personnel are unlikely to have received enough training in using a collapsible police baton. Thus, in choosing a baton, you must consider its accessibility during emergencies and the extent to which you can control it. For example, the easy-grip handle is designed to offer you a tight hold on the Baton while making it almost impossible for someone on the other end to grab it away from you.
When used properly, batons are fantastic self defense weapons. Thus, the effective use of a baton is not dependent on only the capacity and features of a product but also on the capacity of the user. In addition, improving your technique will boost your strike rate.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Carrying a baton legally in many regions in the United States has become a pipe dream for the common individual, providing the privilege only to members of the police enforcement sector. States that allow the possession of batons often declare their use illegal if used inappropriately, such as aggressively towards another person or to cause property damage to another person’s property.
In an unusual twist, several state laws do not specifically say whether or not expandable batons are forbidden. Many state laws prohibiting batons are out of date and claim that either any baton is illegal or that only a club is prohibited in particular situations. If the state forbids carrying certain batons, it is best to avoid carrying such a sophisticated baton entirely.
Furthermore, in any state where using a baton is legal, it may only be used in self-defense situations. It must not be used in a way that would result in death, and it must not be used to hit another person in the head or neck.
Batons are legal in many areas where other weapons are not permitted, and they are not necessary to be registered or to have a permit. Some rules are vague and have particular limits that allow or prohibit carrying a baton in each of the 50 states, and these regulations differ from one state to the next. It is crucial to look at the exact laws when determining whether it is legal to carry a baton in public.
Carrying a baton is illegal in Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C., but they are permitted to be owned and used in the other states. Furthermore, no federal laws prohibit the ownership of expandable batons.
OBSOLETE BATONS
One should be aware of obsolete batons and we have provided the detail below to educate you on this topic.
Straight (straight sticks) batons were employed in Ancient Egypt and are said to be the most basic baton shape. The handle is molded, turned, or wrapped; the shaft is thicker or tapered, and the tip is plastic.
Typically constructed of hardwood, they vary in size from little clubs less than 30 cm (1 ft) in length to massive “riot batons” used by police personnel on horseback or in municipal conflicts.
In addition, straight sticks are heavier than other varieties and have greater weight concentrated at the striking end. This reduces their mobility but increases their kinetic energy when they make contact.
As a result, most law enforcement organizations have abandoned the straight stick in favor of various kinds of batons due to their weight and perceived danger to the communities they serve. These days, side-handle and expandable baton forms dominate.
TOP POLICE BATON OPTIONS
There are several police baton options on the market and we have listed a top four popular on our end.
POLICE FORCE 12,000,000 TACTICAL STUN BATON FLASHLIGHT
According to experts, this is the best tactical defense equipment available today. This police force 12,000,000 tactical stun baton flashlight features a military-grade metal baton, an ultra-bright tactical flashlight, and a powerful stun. Most contemporary stun guns only have one or two points of contact. TST allows a lethal electrical charge to radiate across three independent points on the stun baton’s top (two sides and the middle). This extends the stun radius and allows for easier defense. If the loud, blinding electrical explosion isn’t enough, a jolt from this gadget should be. In addition, its low light output may save battery life when the brightest light output is unnecessary.
POLICE FORCE 9,000,000 TACTICAL STUN BATON FLASHLIGHT
This unit comprises military-grade aluminum alloy, which allows it to withstand (and even apply!) great force without injury. In addition to being a self-defense weapon, the shockproof casing enables it to resist the tough circumstances that military and law enforcement professionals experience daily. Anyone unlucky enough to come into touch with it will be knocked to the ground by the blinding and deafening electrical explosion. However, it may be utilized as a defense weapon and an instrument to provide evening safety light. The ultra-bright 140 lumen light may momentarily blind an attacker, making stun guns or batons easier to use. This stun baton may be put on your bedside, vehicle, or belt loop.
HEAVY HITTER WITH HEAVY DUTY HOLSTER
In this major league protective system, the safety of 200-lumen lighting is paired with the protection afforded by a quality aluminum bat. An assailant who wishes to stay undetected will strike during the night. He’ll also be on the lookout for people most vulnerable to prey on. Most of the time, a bright laser beam directed at him is enough to deter potential attackers. Flashing light with at least 120 lumens straight into someone’s eyes will cause confusion and temporary blindness. When you deploy the Heavy Hitter with the Self Defense Strobe, your opponent may get confused, allowing you to exit the situation. If the previous two strategies have failed, a Heavy Hitter strike will almost always stop an assailant. Face your opponent and strike to protect yourself!
STREETWISE LIGHTNING ROD 7,000,000 STUN BATON
This unit includes a blazing bright LED flashlight and an extremely powerful 18-inch stun baton in one compact container. Whether you are a police officer, a security guard, or a normal person, you will feel secure knowing that this product adequately protects you. Often, just blasting this unit into the air will be enough to dissuade an attacker. It releases a scary electric current and makes an unsettling electric sound as the bright electric current pulsates over the unit’s top. Any aggressor with a semblance of common sense will be apprehended. If the appearance and sound of this device aren’t enough to scare him away, a shock from it will. The electric current is extended around the sides and the top and bottom of the gadget to shock anybody who attempts to take it.
HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR BATON FITS YOUR REQUIREMENTS?
It is essential for officers to self-evaluate based on various personal characteristics. For example, a one-hit kill, a multi-strike weapon, a quick reload, big or little? It depends on an individual’s situation and requirements.
The truth is that all commodities have advantages and downsides for certain users. Remember that while choosing a life-saving instrument, operators must make the greatest possible choice.
Sizing, training, experience, and assignment must all be considered. For example, a baton strike is impossible if using a baton is difficult. Because “skilled” and “fit” are subjective, and officer experience varies, thus, setting objective criteria for picking a baton is vital.
Also, prioritize your tasks. Less is better for regular individuals or investigative work. Consequently, it is smart to observe and follow safety procedures; it is essential. Check out our website for your baton options.
BATON TIPS
Batons are often viewed as the most critical compliance tools accessible, with the main goal of protecting and defending one’s person and property. However, the following tips must be considered to guarantee your safety while using a baton:
- The most important thing to remember while learning how to use a baton is how to keep it within your grasp. It’s easy to grasp and pull away, thus ensuring you always keep attackers away from it.
- Taking into account your reasons for requiring a baton. If you need to hide the Baton for any reason, a shorter length or an expandable is preferable.
- Maintaining your Baton entails lubricating the ring guides, especially for expandable batons.
BATON FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions we have put together for you.
CONCLUSION
Scaring the adversary with any weapon is the most effective self defense tactic. Bring out your Baton and expand it if it is expandable; the mere sight of it, especially if you own a stun baton, will dissuade the offender from approaching you.
Consequently, you may argue that a baton is a useful instrument for defending oneself against an opponent. However, the kind of gadget being used should also be critical in determining the level of security to be offered.
The Baton has various benefits in both self-defense and security applications. Because it is compact and portable, you can take it with you everywhere you go and use it whenever you need it. However, as important as it is to understand batons, it is as important to choose the best possible purchase to get the most out of the gadget. Consequently, purchasing batons becomes a challenging chore, which is why Best Safety Apparel handles all of the hassles for you and is concerned with providing you with a variety of alternatives to fit your individual security needs.
