Carrying a cane or stick in Florida

[Dragonbreath]

I've checked with various police, Highway Patrol, and FDLE personnel in Florida, and they all confirm that carrying a cane, or carrying an Escrima stick, is completely legal anywhere in Florida, PROVIDED that you do NOT have the intention of initiating violence against another (try proving that in court, either way!). So if I want to have SOME way to defend myself, say, in a bar, a cane or stick is a viable choice, and offers a way to keep an attacker back out of knife range. Like any weapon, training and practice are needed. Personally, I like the Armed Response video "Defensive Cane Fighting" as a good entry to training and practice. In addition to cane fighting techniques, Ralph Mroz, the video presenter, also makes very good "legal technicalities" points in the video, to help you keep out of legal trouble before, during, or after a fight. So get (or make) a cane or stick, learn, and practice. You'll have a self-defense method available that won't automatically be deemed "lethal force" (like a gun will). Increasing your options is always a good thing!

 

[Skiluvr03]

I thought you were going to say a cane like they used to have with a pistol concealed in the handle and I thought that would be a great idea I hadn't thought of; although, your idea is well taken. I wonder if there is a place that sells canes with guns in them, or do I need to make my own. This could be a good business to get into again.

 

[Sh00tn Butt]

i don't know if they still do .. but i have had a cane which fired a 22lr .. i also had one that converted to a sword type or a really long knife .. now you can drill out a wooden cane and fill it with lead .. looks normal but weighs a lot more ..
side note here .. if i tried self defense with my cane i would probably fall on my butt .. its easier to try an avoid the problem or if no other choice then use my CC ..
Stay Safe ..
SB

 

[tuts40]

Thug(s), having been fighting all their lives, strong, tough, very quick and mean with no hesitation and will keep comming and maiming. Yeah, a cane would be taken away from most (not all) of us here and used to make us look like popsicles, wouldn't ya say?

"Keyboard Rambo" I've been called, and I'm smart enough to know that's where to leave it!

 

[tuts40]

I thought you were going to say a cane like they used to have with a pistol concealed in the handle and I thought that would be a great idea I hadn't thought of; although, your idea is well taken. I wonder if there is a place that sells canes with guns in them, or do I need to make my own. This could be a good business to get into again.

Link Removed ...Found after a 15 second google search.

 

[Hoganbeg]

Thug(s), having been fighting all their lives, strong, tough, very quick and mean with no hesitation and will keep comming [sic] and maiming. Yeah, a cane would be taken away from most (not all) of us here and used to make us look like popsicles [sic], wouldn't ya say?...

Actually, I think it is a poor assumption to make. Firstly, it is a defeatist attitude. One is generally better off with a weapon than without. I think a more accurate statement would be that a cane might be taken away. As with most things in life, some training is required but given that training, I think a person would stand a very good chance of defending against even someone younger and stronger than themselves. Why? From what I've seen, heard, read, not many in the U.S. have any knowledge of stick fighting. So, a thug is likely to attack using nothing more than his native strength and speed. This ignorance will work against the mugger as it will against the defender. With a modicum, of training however, that equation is easily tipped in favor of the defender.

Another thought is that while the attacker is focusing on my cane, he opens himself up for other means of defense. It does not take years of training to gain this level of competence. The keys are focused training and motivation.

 

[Dragonbreath]

In my original post, I mentioned carrying a cane or stick as a defensive tool. In Florida it is ILLEGAL to carry a sword-cane or pistol-cane, and if caught doing so, you go directly to jail and you WILL get a stiff fine and possible jail time. So I'm NOT talking about concealing a different weapon within a cane. I'm talking about using a good solid cane or stick as a weapon in it's own right, and as a deterrent to keep the BGs looking for someone else to bother.

 

[Nightmare45]

Do to knee problems on occasion I use a cane, solid hickory with 2 lb brass head, has been used once on two young guys, not for sale.

 

[tuts40]

Actually, I think it is a poor assumption to make. Firstly, it is a defeatist attitude. One is generally better off with a weapon than without. I think a more accurate statement would be that a cane might be taken away. As with most things in life, some training is required but given that training, I think a person would stand a very good chance of defending against even someone younger and stronger than themselves. Why? From what I've seen, heard, read, not many in the U.S. have any knowledge of stick fighting. So, a thug is likely to attack using nothing more than his native strength and speed. This ignorance will work against the mugger as it will against the defender. With a modicum, of training however, that equation is easily tipped in favor of the defender.

Another thought is that while the attacker is focusing on my cane, he opens himself up for other means of defense. It does not take years of training to gain this level of competence. The keys are focused training and motivation.

Good thoughts there, thank you! We all have opinions and can call another's opinion any number of things, but I'm glad we have a place we can openly express them.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Not certain at this time, but I believe:
A cartridge cane or pen gun would be AOW.
But a percussion cane gun, say. 36 cap & ball, would be legal.
I may be out of date on this, but I think it works the same way
that cap & ball rifles and revolvers are not "guns" under GCA68.

 

[Dragonbreath]

Sorry, but in Florida (as per my original post), ANY firearm is a deadly weapon and is illegal to carry without a CCW license. On a practical level, if a Florida cop or state trooper finds you with a cane-gun or sword-cane, they're gonna look for any excuse to confiscate the weapon and/or take you in, CCW or not, because it's gonna set their mental BadGuy radar off. Anyhow, I was trying to keep on-topic, which was to discuss the use of canes or sticks as a potentially useful "Less-Lethal-Weapon", not to discuss how to sneak in swords or guns.

Personally, I have a CCW and carry one of my pistols, concealed, every time I go out. But I also carry either a cane or an escrima stick, in plain sight, and I know how to use them. 90% of the time I'm "exposed to the public", I have a cane or stick IN MY HAND, in position and ready to use. No drawing or getting into position needed. Any would-be mugger or strong-arm robber is going to notice my situation-awareness and readiness, and if he has desire for self-preservation, he's going to take the less-risky path and decide to keep walking and look for an easier victim. And if I have to leave my pistol behind to go into a federal building or bar, etc., I still have my (completely legal) cane or stick. I'm obeying the law, but keeping an edge over being unarmed, and that was the point of my post.

 

[Nightmare45]

In my original post, I mentioned carrying a cane or stick as a defensive tool. In Florida it is ILLEGAL to carry a sword-cane or pistol-cane, and if caught doing so, you go directly to jail and you WILL get a stiff fine and possible jail time. So I'm NOT talking about concealing a different weapon within a cane. I'm talking about using a good solid cane or stick as a weapon in it's own right, and as a deterrent to keep the BGs looking for someone else to bother.

This is only a cane has traveled on aircraft and other means of transport no issue

 

[muddog15]

I just found this thread. Interesting, too bad it's an old thread. I need to remember to check this forum more often.

 

[CapGun]

I just found this thread. Interesting, too bad it's an old thread. I need to remember to check this forum more often.

You are so right!

 

[tcox4freedom]

Thug(s), having been fighting all their lives, strong, tough, very quick and mean with no hesitation and will keep comming and maiming. Yeah, a cane would be taken away from most (not all) of us here and used to make us look like popsicles, wouldn't ya say?

"Keyboard Rambo" I've been called, and I'm smart enough to know that's where to leave it!

Yeah, good luck trying to take my cane away with a broken hand, arm, leg or neck. I've been using a cane to help with mobility for several years now. But, I began learning how to use stick type weapons in elementary school 45+ years ago.

-

 

[muddog15]

I agree with 4freedom, I found a class that taught cane defense a few years ago. I'm now one of the instructor's. I have a disability & have to use a cane. If you know how you can keep somebody from taking your can away from you, even if they are bigger & stronger. There are techniques to do that no matter how big or strong it will hurt.

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[apvbguy]

And if I have to leave my pistol behind to go into a federal building or bar, etc., I still have my (completely legal) cane or stick. I'm obeying the law, but keeping an edge over being unarmed, and that was the point of my post.

why would you disarm when going into a bar?

 

[muddog15]

why would you disarm when going into a bar?

Because alcohol and guns don't mix very well. It the responsible thing to do.

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[apvbguy]

Because alcohol and guns don't mix very well. It the responsible thing to do.

1. nonsense, maybe you and some other people have issues with remaining responsible while enjoying alcoholic beverages doesn't mean that everyone who has a beer or two while armed becomes a murderous madman because he was armed while drinking.
2. just because someone enters a bar doesn't automatically mean that they intend to consume alcoholic beverages

the reality is that there is no laws in FLA regarding entering establishments that have bars while armed, only people who perpetuate myths

 

[muddog15]

BS, one, I don't drink I haven't been able to drink for years. And it has been proven a zillion times that some people can get pure stupid when they drink. It's a human thing. Some people get very violent when they drink. Maybe you haven't been around long enough to have learned that yet.

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