Asp Baton

[Doug627]

I know the Asp Baton is a specific product but who here uses an asp for personal protection? What brand do you use and where did you get your training if you are non-LEO? I thought it would be great for dogs. My concealed carry revolver is for more serious confrontations although some dogs can be life-threatening. I tried CAJUNLAWYER's "I will kill you face" but people just thought I was constipated.

 

[Big Cholla]

'Intent' is such a big factor in legal self-defense actions that I would reconsider the use of an ASP for civilian use. I believe the ONLY time it would be justified in such an encounter is IF your antagonist is also armed with one (or equivalent, or another weapon further up the Use of Force Scale) and initiates the action. The 'Intent' in this case is that the ASP is a sole use weapon. I was trained for the ASP and carried one faithfully although I was somewhat reluctant to give up my wonderful Monadnock PR-24. The ASP is a potential lethal weapon and as such I believe in most jurisdictions if one was attacked by an assailant armed with same, one would be justified in self defending with a firearm. It bears some investigation as to the legal justification for use by a civilian vis-a-vis local laws. .............. What say you Legal Types that have done Courtroom Defense or Prosecution?

BTW: The larger ASPs are wonderful against attacking dogs. I have a LEO acquaintence that killed a mixed breed Doberman/Pit with one blow over the head.

 

[Motorsporting]

I carry one on my walks (along with my CCW). If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I'm not sure that's the best philosophy, but I figured an intermediate deterrent is better than nothing. I do need to investigate the law more though ...

 

[finesse_r]

When I am wearing my fancy carpenter's overalls i usually just hang a roofing hammer in the hammer loop on the side. I hate to think what a roofing hammer would do to one of those silly batons. I always thought a baton was meant for twirling not self-defense.

 

[W.E.G.]

I don't think any of the training outfits that do ASP training offer a training component on whipping dogs with the ASP.

 

[Farmer17]

I like to ride a bicycle and I have had several bad experiences with dogs and been bitten a couple of times. Once a German Shepherd bit me on the leg and made me bleed and I would STILL like to ride back there and make him bleed. I have a small metal bicycle pump that I can use against dogs but I don't have much confidence in it and I would be afraid pepper spray would blow back in my face and make me crash. Some type of stick with a sharp point on it may be my next dog repellent tool, also the bar-b-q fork sounded like a good redneck weapon.

 

[4011]

Saw a well trained instructor whip the galv off a trash can with an ASP. A strike above the shoulders could prove fatal very easily. Still have my PR 24. Still can't find a use for it.

 

[O2Guy]

My Cold Steel Blackthorn walking stick is pretty nice.

Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick - Cold Steel Knives

 

[Squarebutt]

I carry a can of Prestone De-Icer in the truck year-round. It shoots a stream of ammonia and rubbing alcohol about 15 feet, and dogs change their attitude when they get a snout full. It would probably fit in the water bottle bracket on a bicycle.
An unarmed mugger probably wouldn't like it much, either.

 

[Doug627]

An asp does not need to be used as a lethal device. As to the Use of Force Continuum, I have used Sam Faulkner many times as an expert in defense of law enforcement officers in use of force cases. Sam Faulkner developed the Use of Force Continuum and I was the first attorney in Ohio to get it admitted as an exhibit at trial. I understand how it works and the factors used to raise or lower one's allowable use of force. An asp can be used to strike muscle mass or bone to inflict pain or injury in response to a threat or to get compliance of another person depending upon the circumstances. Training in the use of the asp baton could probably be transferred into not only defending yourself from another person but also animals.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I pretty much share Big Cholla's concern over using an ASP for defense against humans. However, I have considered it for dogs. In my limited experience, at least some dogs react to Man With Stick by retreating, thus obviating the need for a strike at all. If you do need to use it, and it works, you'll be glad you didn't have to fire a pistol, which is quite a bit louder and more or less appropriately alarming to the neighbors.

For bicycling, I find that a section of fishing rod Velcroed to the top tube is the easiest way to carry silent anti-dog weapons. Probably a lot safer to use than a pistol, too, not that I wouldn't have one of those, too. I have carried the rod when walking in an area with known unruly dogs. For general use against dogs, an aluminum ASP is certainly a lot easier to carry.

Strangely, a baton is legal to carry in MA until you get into a ruckus with one.

 

[Ranger514]

As another option, there are a number of makers of blackjacks and saps still in business. They are easier to conceal. ASP and other collapsible batons have inertia engaged parts that require maintenance. If you want to have a longer intermediate weapon with greater reach, a sturdy fighting cane or walking staff would work well.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

An ASP was part of duty gear for a while until I switched to O.C. instead. The ASP is effective in its' limited purpose. But, once expanded , you have to strike it on a hard surface to collapse it. The tactical disadvantage of this became crystal clear on a traffic stop where one guy decided to fight with me while buddy ran with the dope. After I got the guy on the ground in the ditch, I had to drop the ASP to cuff him and make sure buddy didn't come back at the same time and get it ..... Buddy did eventually come out of the woods.O.C. just always proved to be a better more practical as well as tactical solution. The effects of O.C. wear off after decontamination. Not so much with the ASP.

 

[sigp220.45]

Asp batons are great for dogs. Just the motion of snapping it out will usually do the trick. If it doesn't a good rap on the snout will send 'em running. I've never had a dog persist after that - if one did I suppose I could shoot it with a clear conscience.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I carry one for dogs and dogs only as a last resort other than my sidearm. Used it twice. Very effective.

 

[EdnAZ]

An ASP was part of duty gear for a while until I switched to O.C. instead. The ASP is effective in its' limited purpose. But, once expanded , you have to strike it on a hard surface to collapse it. The tactical disadvantage of this became crystal clear on a traffic stop where one guy decided to fight with me while buddy ran with the dope. After I got the guy on the ground in the ditch, I had to drop the ASP to cuff him and make sure buddy didn't come back at the same time and get it ..... Buddy did eventually come out of the woods.O.C. just always proved to be a better more practical as well as tactical solution. The effects of O.C. wear off after decontamination. Not so much with the ASP.

Sounds like someone didn't pay attention in their ASP training class. That exact scenario is addressed.

 

[10mmauto]

21" airweight, foam handle with the grip cap accessory.

 

[e3mrk]

I do know that in Ohio if Your not a L.E.O You dont want to get caught with one in Public.
The Ohio Weapons Law is vague on the Baton but it could fall under the deadly weapon part(Blackjacks and Saps) and depending on the Officer detaining You it could be a Felony. Heck,
those little Baseball Bats They used to give out at the Ball Parks are considered Weapons now.

 

[Ray]

I´ve been trying to order a ASP baton , but in their site they say it´s only avaiable to the police.
Is that true? There´s a retailer that supply them to the general public?
Regards, Ray

 

[Brian41]

I know they are not legal in Michigan even with a carry permit. A lot of other things like stun guns aren't either. It always pays to check out a state's laws before carrying anything.
I have a cane which I don't need to use anymore but would take it with me still especially if I was someplace that didn't allow my gun. A walking stick is another good option and see many walking my road with one.
Basically anything that has a purpose besides self defense is legal. I carried a long socket breaker bar in my service truck and a customer gave me a fish club that was labeled as being so. He did advise me to have fishing gear with me if I were to carry it in my truck.