I have a query for LEOs here, or other knowledgeable gurus:
If you carry a flashlight with a deep crenelated head and tail, is this considered like large knives or other weapons? What happens if an officer sees this light?
A lot of us carry these lights in our vehicles, and I'd like to know what to expect (if anything) during a routine traffic stop?
I'd like to know that too. But it will probably depend on what state or even city you live in. Search the state laws, then the local municipal code maybe? Guess they most likely don't have anything about flashlight in there. But I doubt you would have much trouble unless entering an airport or another secure place. Also if you have it on a clip or holster it will probably be even better. In California it is technically legal to carry a sword in public as long as it's not concealed. Police tend to like me(not in a good way) and they have never made any fuss over my lights even one that had .5 to an inch spikes on the crown. Can't remember the exact length. Maybe ask a cop next time you see him. They normally don't know that stuff either though. Just don't have it on you.
No offense to cops on this board but the last person you want to ask about the law is a cop, they will be the first person to tell you their job is not to know the law, just to enforce it.
Just like WastedNihilist said, it will be highly dependent on your location. Most places are going to treat a Crenelated Bezel as an impact weapon so check your for your local laws on kubatons. Also very important is the context you are caught with it, if a cop finds it during a Terry stop and claim it is so you can see if you left your light if you put it down bezel first the potential outcome will be quite different then if he finds it after busting you for some violent crime and you claim it is for bashing in someone face.
If you tell me what state and even city if it is a large city that may have more restrictive laws I can give you a much more definitive answer.
A small AA or 18650 light won't get a second glance... but if you're sporting a 3+ D cell Maglite or clone with a crenelated bezel--- you might want to think twice about either displaying it publicly or in the worst case actually striking someone with the "business" end of it. Very well could add to the "deadly weapon" determination..... Nutz
I doubt it's technically considered an illegal weapon. Notice I said "illegal." Which means a cop may consider it "a weapon" but I doubt he could charge you for having one unless you actually used it as a weapon.
That being said if a cop questioned me about one of my lights I would say "I just think it looks cool." Then again, I don't own any lights with big spikes on them. Most are just your standard tactical-looking bezel.
in case you get caught tell them its a apple corer, if its a large one then pineapple corer !! write that on the side of the flashlight now to be safe : ) legally that may save you lol
frankly you would never hit anyone with that unless you needed to right ? its all up to interpretation and intent. lovely shade of gray and how much justice you can afford ...
i would maintain the prongs are used for low light needs. that is really the best thing about them IMO. no chance of it shining in people eyes if doesnt face up and blind you
Your fine. Don’t worry about it. This would not be a problem in the patron state of shooting stuff( name the movie) unless you use it as a weapon in an offense. if you use it as a weapon in defense ( weapon of necessity) kudos to you if I am answering the call. It’s a flashlight and it would not be considered a weapon unless it is used as one.
Start rant.
Also there is no DA that I know of that would prosecute you for carrying a weapon based on the weapon being a damn flashlight. Now if you go to one of those horrible places like DC, Chicago, California, NYC, there is no telling what the power hungry bill of rights trashing liberals might do to you.
Molon Labe!
Rant over
Why does the whole state of California get singled out? This conservative, CCW holding Southern Californian just wants to remind you that outside of los anybrains and san fransicko and a few other pockets of stupidity (where fortunately most of the "progressive" voters work and unfortunately vote) we are a pretty damn conservative state no matter what the ant burners say.{myrantoff}
Crenelated Bezeled lights are fine in California as long as you are not carrying it with the intent of using it as a weapon (or are stupid enough to admit it).
i like your style... ive wanted a kimber custom for years. maybe my next hand gun
personally, im more worried about a cop spotting me puffing on my big 2xRCR123a ecig. i can hear it now "put your hands out the window and drop your giant crack pipe on the pavement, now!"
Holy wow.. 2 RCR123? That's bigger than my EDC Flashlight! ;) I quit smoking using an eCig - wonderful invention. Went from 1.5 packs per day to 0 in less than a month. awesome. I still puff on my 510 with some TastyVapor Strawberry Cheesecake every once in a while.
And I can't recommend the Kimber highly enough. It's an all around fantastic firearm. It's still my most trusted piece, and it's got 4 or 5 thousand rounds through it.
Flashlights can be considered weapons since they make flashlights with integrated tazers. Or I should say tazers with integrated flashlights because the lights are pretty inferior. Then again so are the tazers. We should start a thread on cheap tazers. I know first hand they do not have the same effect as the name brands. They say 2 mil volt. But I think the current is what stuns people.
According to my Counsel, if you are going to carry a light with a bezel or a feature that makes it usable as a weapon, it would be wise to buy one that comes with the feature rather than adding it and then say something like "Oh, I just thought it looked nice". Intentionally adding features that can be construed as weapons makes it pretty hard to argue you didn't INTEND to use it as a weapon which makes all the difference in the world when/if you get to court.
I have a Solarforce accessory bezel even more outrageous than that one it looks like to me. Installed on a light it extends about 31mm from the front of the P60 housing. Quite the fruit corer! Solarforce used to offer at least three accessory crenelated bezels from mild to wild. I have all three.