Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

Can I legally carry a baton or night stick in public?

Due to some circustances that have developed within the last few weeks, I purchased a police issue baton from the internet. It's the retractable kind that is only 6 inches when rectracted and fits into my pocket easily. Due to some dating circumstances,I have been carry it with me wherever I go. My girlfriends ex-husband and his friends have been telling people they are going to jump me simply for dating this guys ex-wife. I want to know if it's legal to carry this? What happens if these guys jump me on the way to my car one night and I brain all of them with my baton? Would there be any criminal repercussion's? Jail,fines, Etc. Should it ever get down to this, I am going to let them hit me first so as to use the ''I felt threatened defense, when they try to come after me with doctor. There's nothing I can do, they are going to come after me, they have that reputation. What can happen to me?


Asked on 7/08/02, 2:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Re: Can I legally carry a baton or night stick in public?

You have asked a loaded question. I don't know if anyone can answer your "is it legal?" question based just on the information that you have provided. Any instrument that you carry with intent to due bodily harm, and you do in fact cause such harm, could get you into the defendant's chair. However, if you are attacked,and threatened with imminent bodily harm, few instruments would be taboo for you to use to extracate yourself from the immediate threat.

I do not know of any state laws or local ordinances that specifically prohibit the carrying of a retractable baton. However, there may be some. That is an issue that would require research. If you are interested in having this issue researched, you may contact me at 816-763-4330, or at www.lawsmith.org.

Physical safety and health are teh most important issues here. Try to find ways to avoid having to use bodily force, or have it used against you.

Good Luck

Tony Smith

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Answered on 7/08/02, 5:06 pm


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