Are "weaponized" flashlights legal to carry concealed in CA?

[Grapeshot]

We need a opcorn: smiley.

As you wish ........

 

[vindicated]

As you wish ........

Sneaky.

 

[Grapeshot]

Sneaky.

Best I can do for "sneaky" is shifty eyed....

Back on thread sort of - how to use your iPhone as a flashlight:
http://appshopper.com/utilities/flashlight-free-version

 

[Michigander]

Even if true, lights are excellent at disorienting an attacker at night. Carrying a light doesn't prevent carry of a knife like a Kershaw Speed Safe, for example.

As a way to ward off a casually rude drunk, fine. And even then a backup plan would be awfully nice.

Otherwise, if your ass is on the line, you're out of your mind if you think that a super bright white light is anything other than a great big sign that says SHOOT ME!!!!!!

If you want to take out an attackers eyes temporariy, for the love of God, hit him with some Fox Labs or something. Then maybe stick your Kershaw in his throat.

If you don't want to realistically plan to take out people who may at some point endanger your life, that's your business. But I'd like to think your life is worth protecting.

 

[randian]

Otherwise, if your ass is on the line, you're out of your mind if you think that a super bright white light is anything other than a great big sign that says SHOOT ME!!!!!!

I'd much rather shoot the bad guy, but that's illegal in California. If I'm already being shot at, I'm not going to use the light, I'm taking cover. If the attacker is in my face, I could buy a few seconds using the light. May not seem like much, but a couple of seconds could give me enough time to get to my knife and slash the SOB, or I could just break his jaw or clavicle with the light, or I could run.

If you don't want to realistically plan to take out people who may at some point endanger your life, that's your business. But I'd like to think your life is worth protecting.

So do I. What weapons do you suggest? Most of the good ones are illegal for insufficiently privileged persons in California to carry.

If you're suggesting "avoid conflict", well duh!

 

[Michigander]

What weapons do you suggest? Most of the good ones are illegal for insufficiently privileged persons in California to carry.

If you're suggesting "avoid conflict", well duh!

Of course conflicts are best avoided, carrying, particularly concealed, is all about those times it can't be.

I suggest you re read my post above. There are large quantities of lethal, less lethal and non lethal weapons you can get away with carrying in Kali.

If in your shoes I would personally probably carry ammoniated cleaner in a nose spray bottle, although legally regular pepper spray must be a way better idea, along with a large folding knife. This combination can reach out to a solid 10 feet to blind someone, then you can move in with the knife and take them out within a couple seconds if needed. This combination is nearly as good as a 380 at 10 feet, and every bit as good as a 45 at arms length. That is, if you deploy it properly, and manage to be lucky enough not to get cross contaminated.

 

[Iopencarry]

..... then you can move in with the knife and take them out within a couple seconds if needed..

While most of your post, not only here, but all of them I can agree with, THIS line I can not. Sorry.

In CA, once you "move in" it is no longer a Defensive move but now an Offensive move, and will get you charged with a crime.
Thats not how it should be, but just how it is. We have a very lame Castle Doc here. While we do not have to retreat, we can not advance.

 

[marshaul]

While most of your post, not only here, but all of them I can agree with, THIS line I can not. Sorry.

In CA, once you "move in" it is no longer a Defensive move but now an Offensive move, and will get you charged with a crime.
Thats not how it should be, but just how it is. We have a very lame Castle Doc here. While we do not have to retreat, we can not advance.

Cite?

The law allows for defense of another. How is this possible if one cannot "advance"?

 

[Iopencarry]

yes, the law allows for DEfense of another, once the punk stops, you must stop.

Do your own homework, on the many cases in CA that have had people busted because they failed to stop after the punk gave up.

 

[Born2Lose]

I carry this flashlight. BG's figure i must be insane and leave me alone. :lol:

 

[vindicated]

I smear poo all over my face and scream "Bizzdazzleringding" over and over again. Most people just leave me alone. I only open carry because some people will scream "Frizzlefrazzledangdong" and that's just scary.

 

[Gunslinger]

Incidentally, I had the TSA refuse my Surefire 6PDL as a carryon with the strike bezel attached. :banghead:

Absolutely ridiculous. But, that's another story...

So, yeah, I just bought the standard bezel, and I left the strike bezel in Virginia. I use it there, but traveling and here I use the standard. I also open carry in Virginia, so it seems less silly to have the strike bezel (I can see needing to hit someone while wielding gun + flashlight much more than I can see trying to draw the flashlight by itself for hand-to-hand combat).

To be honest, I've been carrying a flashlight in a belt holster for years; I use it constantly for illumination in random circumstances, and frankly the standard bezel is more practical.

The TSA refused my palm sander in carry on at RDU. But you have to allow for the reguirement that their IQ not exceed room temperature, and it was cool in the terminal that day.

 

[Gunslinger]

I carry this flashlight. BG's figure i must be insane and leave me alone. :lol:

Nobody in their right mind would mess with "Hello Kitty."

 

[Gunslinger]

Cite?

The law allows for defense of another. How is this possible if one cannot "advance"?

When the BG knocks you down with his baseball bat, under Kalifornia Revised Statutes Annotated, 23:45-c, 12, you must remain in your pool of blood or you become the aggressor and can be charged with Public Nuisance. Carries 5-10 at Lumpac or wherever...

 

[Gundude]

I carry this flashlight. BG's figure i must be insane and leave me alone. :lol:

Very practical, You can clip it to your purse. :lol:

 

[randian]

yes, the law allows for DEfense of another, once the punk stops, you must stop.

So if the perp wants some time to rest before beating on you some more, or wants a timeout to call his friends to help him, you have to let him so long as he's not actively attacking you at the moment? That's insane.

 

[marshaul]

yes, the law allows for DEfense of another, once the punk stops, you must stop.

Do your own homework, on the many cases in CA that have had people busted because they failed to stop after the punk gave up.

That's true in most states, actually.

Virginia is an exemplar of common-law self-defense (from which castle law derives), and in Virginia one must also stop when the threat stops.

This is as it should be. Self-defense law in California is actually pretty damn good. I don't approve of the minority of states which legalize violence absent a continued threat.

In no way can this be construed as a prohibition against "moving in" or physically "moving toward" an aggressor. If close-quarters engagement is the best means available to stop the threat, it is perfectly legal.

 

[pullnshoot25]

What are you referring to specifically?

The thread topic itself is a good place to start.

 

[Michigander]

yes, the law allows for DEfense of another, once the punk stops, you must stop.

Do your own homework, on the many cases in CA that have had people busted because they failed to stop after the punk gave up.

Exactly, hence I specifically stated "if needed". Perhaps there would have been less misunderstanding if I said "if the threat still isn't neutralized".

 

[realityfatality]

I live in california and I EDC a mini maglite right next to my ka-bar openly on my belt. I have heard lots of hearsay about billy clubs / kubaton laws regarding flashlights. While I don't carry either for defensive purposes, But if my blade were rendered useless in some situation and I was not carrying on private property. I would use anything and everything at my reach to defend myself until I felt safe, regardless of anything besides my own personal safety.

Regarding lethal force statues, I believe dead men tell no tales.

If indeed you did have to use it in lethal force, read up here about that. Plan your defenses. Protect yourself.