Batons

Batons: From Club to Tonfa

Due to its simplicity, the origins of the baton cannot be pinpointed to a specific time period. Essentially, even a simple, wooden and unmodified stick can be used as a baton. However, such primitive variants of batons are now commonly referred to as clubs. Nowadays, batons are widely used in military, police, and security services worldwide.

Types of Batons

The Tonfa is an elongated baton with a perpendicular handle extension, which can be made of metal, wood, or hard rubber. It is believed that the Tonfa originally comes from China, where it was used as a tool for moving millstones. The characteristic perpendicular handle of the Tonfa allows additional handling options such as quick wrist turns. Moreover, the weapon can also serve to protect the forearm.

Rubber Batons used by the police are made of hard wood cores covered with rubber. Upon impact on bones, they bounce back, thus not transferring the full force of the blow to the target. Solid rubber batons were banned over time because they transferred the entire impulse and could cause serious injuries.

The Telescopic Baton is frequently used by police forces and consists of several, usually three segments that slide into each other and can be extended as needed. The handle segment serves as a sheath for the two inner segments. Telescopic batons are typically made of aluminum or steel. The handle is often covered with rubber or plastic. Small baton for enhancing striking power: Kubotan

Questions: Batons

Are Batons allowed in Germany?

Whether a baton is prohibited or allowed in Germany depends on the specific variant. In any case, the baton is considered a weapon under the Weapons Act (§ 1 para. 2). It is generally prohibited to carry batons at public events (§ 42 WaffG). In the case of telescopic batons, carrying them in public is an administrative offense. However, possession and acquisition are allowed for persons over 18 years of age. Carrying telescopic batons is only permitted under a "legitimate interest," such as professional use, sports, tradition, and generally recognized purposes. Carrying for self-defense purposes does not fall under legitimate interest. Carrying Tonfas is generally prohibited according to § 42a Weapons Act, but acquisition and possession are allowed. Again, carrying the weapon is permitted under a legitimate interest. Moreover, its use is permitted for film, photo, or television recordings. Transport must be in a closed container. The so-called "Totschläger" must be distinguished from the aforementioned batons. According to German jurisprudence, these are flexible striking devices weighted at the end. The impact energy is potentiated by the whip effect, resulting in significant kinetic energy and impact force. Due to this, such weapons are prohibited in Germany. The same applies to the steel rod made of spring steel with an iron or lead ball at the end.

What accessories are available for batons?

If carrying is permitted, Tonfas and rubber batons can be worn on specially designed belt holders, ensuring quick accessibility in emergencies. For batons with interchangeable tips, specialized tips are available designed to break glass. Additionally, mirror attachments are available, allowing the wearer to look around corners without exposing themselves to potential dangers.