The_Vigilante wrote: ↑Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:02 pm
Let's see, I can carry a firearm which can inflict a lot more damage than a baton, billy club, etc. Why not a baton? Wouldn't it be preferrable to use a baton to defend yourself in cases where a gun wouldn't be an option? No loss of life! Wonder what the reasoning is on the restrictions of batons?
As much as I love this state we have had some of the dumbest weapons laws in the country for decades. Our knife laws until recently amended were an abomination.
With respect to clubs, blackjacks, etc the reasons behind the prohibitions are understandable, they wanted to limit as much as possible the ability of gangs and individual criminals to legally possess such weapons on the street.
In reality, the net effect is that it makes the law abiding citizen less safe and gives criminals an advantage since it isn't they who are inclined to follow the law.
For decades "officer discretion" took care of the problem. The law existed to get them an excuse to hold someone for investigation on the violation if they suspected them of something else but "Joe or Jose' Good citizen" would be treated with a wink and a nod.
With all the discrimination lawsuits of the last few decades much of that discretion is simply gone and cops are in a no win situation.
I've written the governor, legislature, and individuals in the gov't several times suggesting these laws need to be repealed and reviewed but so far, there's just not enough political will behind it.
In truth, all that would be necessary to have the desired deterrent effect while still allowing more less than lethal options for lawful self defense would be to simply amend the existing laws making possession of any of those weapons a felony or even aggravated felony during the commission of a crime and lawful for all others.
