The sap in another thread got me to thinking...

[7shooter]

My earliest recolection of being sapped was when the no nonsense cop who volunteered to run a junior high Friday night canteen let us handle his sap and let us feel what it was like to be tapped on the head with it. We learned that it was an impressive weapon . He'd probably get in trouble if he did that now but back then we thought it was cool and I'm sure our parents thought it had educational benefit in case any of us might be thinking of a life on the other side of the law. Kind of makes me nostalgic.

 

[dasnake]

can't have a sap, but i do this

the mention of the asp made me think of the civilian answer to the above. i have an asp given to me years ago, it stays put away for a situation that needs a more detailed answer. what i do carry in both the truck and the jeep is a 12 ounce ballpeen hammer, if i'm ever asked why, i tell whoever that it is for tire testing, at 65 pounds each tire on the truck has a certain "ring", at 35 pounds on the jeep the same story, never had a problem.

 

[sparkgap]

"As he went by me for the father in law, I stuck my food out and tripped him."

Stale donut I guess


Bob

 

[smith revolver cop]

This thread gave me one of those "now that I think of it" moments.

I had always seen the sap (and its pocket) as part of an officer's uniform. After reading this thread I suddenly realized that I haven't seen a cop with a sap (or night stick for that matter) in a very long time. Now I'm going to be checking out every officer I come across to see whether or not they have a sap (or another suitable cudgel). What a shame that the police have been stripped of such useful tools.

I have seen some cops wearing bright yellow stun guns on their belts (why yellow?). But I bet they've been told NOT to use them. The nation is doomed I tell ya. Doomed!

The coloring on the Taser is another way to differentiate it from the firearm. There have been some tragic accidents in which an officer intended to taser someone, but grabbed their sidearm out of habit and... well, you get the idea! That's why the firearm is generally carried strong-side, and the Taser carried cross-draw.

You don't see a lot of coppers with traditional nightsticks anymore, but the ASP isn't too bad, and it's always there on your belt without getting in the way. And, without extending it, it's not terribly unlike the sap. Hmmm... I might have just renewed my relationship with the ASP!

 

[MKT]

I started out with a straight stick but preferred not carrying it due to the fact it got tangled in my legs during a foot chase (plus it don't look to good to be hoofing it behind someone with the stick in hand). The ASP is a whole nuther story, nice compact and steel. It'll put the hurt to someone and is always right there on my bat belt if I need it. Sometime after I retire I'll talk about some of the non-issued items I may or maynot have carried.

The wife is a Deputy Sheriff and her uniform britches still come with the sap pocket.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Someone must still carry and use various Saps, Boston leather still makes them and sells them - Boston Leather Denver Sap 9" Impact Weapon . I don't think Galls stocks them, but other LE supply outfits certainly do. Chinese knockoffs are abundant. Hatch still makes, or at least made until recently, Sap gloves. To a certain extent they've been replaced by the protective plastic inserts in certain "tactical" gloves. Most sap gloves made today also have steel shot instead of lead. Sap gloves are somtimes used for "impact play" by devotees of certain alternative lifestyles.

Laws for non LE carry of all these things vary from state to state. Like the ASP baton, if one wants to carry one and sell the idea that it was a non lethal weapon, it's a very good idea to show some sort of formal training or profiency in its use.

Things like hammers and Maglites are, while legal to carry as "tools", are still likely to be considered deadly weapons if actually used as a weapon, thus one would still need to show that such force was justified.