Self Defense Weapons

  A Police baton is a short-handled, collapsible cane with a semi-rigid cylindrical steel shaft. They have long been used as a defensive weapon in police and corrections settings and were commonly found during the early 20th century in criminal areas of cities outside the United States.  The design has varied considerably over time, but modern batons are typically around 60" (cm) in length for officer protection and 45 lbs (20 kg) for offender incapacitation.  The length of 45 pounds is derived from legal standards that allow officers to use as much force as reasonably necessary to control or arrest an offender. Length is limited by the rules of some sports, such as the National Football League, which may limit a coach's challenge flag to be no longer than 45 inches. Many police departments in the United States have replaced traditional wooden nightsticks with telescopic batons of various types.  A visitor to New York City is more likely to see a police officer arme...