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

[G50AE]

Caneguns are considered AOW's and fall under NFA rules.

[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.

Gun Canes ...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.

[G50AE]

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.

It's also illegal in California to carry a swordcane. That's why Cold Steel Knives sells their swordcane out of their Arizona office.