USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • DAILY GUNS & AMMO DEALS – CLICK HERE!
Home Articles Concealed Carry

Impact Weapons for Concealed Carry

Salvatore by Salvatore
January 5, 2023
in Articles, Concealed Carry, Self-Defense
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Impact Weapons for Concealed Carry
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Impact weapons fill what seems to be a select niche in the world of self-defense. When we refer to impact weapons, we are typically referencing tools that are specifically designed for fighting and that imparts a blunt force on an opponent. The majority of environmental weapons of opportunity serve as impact weapons, grabbing a chair and hitting someone with it, hitting someone with a fire extinguisher, etc. But dedicated impact weapons, carried for defensive use, are the topic of this discussion.

Impact weapons come large and small; batons are an example of a larger dedicated impact weapon, yet a pocket stick, kubaton, and similar, are small impact weapons. Since any object that is hard and robust can be used for impact, then certainly flashlights or any hard object you are currently holding or have access to can be forced into this role. However, in terms of items that are dedicated impact weapons that are also small enough to carry feasibly, the most effective options are saps and blackjacks. These items are small, yet they have weighted ends that allow for the generation of significant power when swung in a blow. Such tools generate far greater power than kubatons or other similar items that essentially enhance a hammer fist blow.

Saps and blackjacks are very effective. Unless you have used one and practiced hitting with it, you likely don’t appreciate how much power they can generate because they look small. In fact, I can tell you that if I had to face the hypothetical theater of the mind scenario of being put in the Thunderdome against a much larger, stronger, and ruthless man for a fight to the death, if I could choose a blackjack or a knife, I would opt for the blackjack. The reason? Knives are extremely lethal, but the mechanism by which they damage takes time. Bleeding to death takes time, and in that time, a dangerous adversary can continue to damage you. However, impact is instantaneous, and when landed on vital targets on the body, the impact generated through the swing of a sap or a jack is telling and quick.

Legality

The significant downside to saps and blackjacks, however, is this; they are illegal to carry in the vast majority of places. Now, this is not an article offering legal advice, but this is an issue for consideration. The reality is that in most places in the country, you can carry a loaded handgun legally with a carry permit, or in many states constitutionally now, but even in most such jurisdictions carrying a sap or a blackjack is illegal. Most jurisdictions also prohibit the carrying of collapsible batons, so know the laws in your vicinity. Like all laws that prohibit and limit the carry of weaponry, this is ridiculous and accomplishes nothing in terms of preventing crime, but it is the reality. Therefore, while formidable in force, these items are legally precarious.

The truth is that the restricted nature of these weapons causes most concealed carriers to avoid them. Again, most places that prohibit such impact tools are fine with the carry of the far more deadly handgun, and most jurisdictions accept the carry of knives as well, at least those of limited blade length. These legal issues have much to do with the reason that impact weapons are not nearly as prevalent as pistols or blades for defensive carry. Again, rather ridiculous, considering that guns and blades clearly constitute lethal force and impact weapons, although capable of significant force, can also inhabit a lower tier of force. Nevertheless, this is the legal reality surrounding these tools.

Force Considerations

Even if you live somewhere that does not prohibit the carry of a sap or blackjack, there are some other considerations as well. While the judicial system would typically view saps or jacks as potentially “less lethal” in nature, whereas guns and blades are strictly lethal weaponry, this is a murky area that further complicates the role of dedicated impact weapons for defensive carry. The reality is that the difference between less-lethal and lethal force, as it applies to an impact weapon, is very much determined by how it is used. For example, targeting parts of the body that can result in a deadly outcome may be deemed lethal force. Targeting the limbs or the torso, probably not. But this grey area is one reason that I suggest cautious consideration regarding the carry of impact weapons even where legal.

Perhaps some logic applied can help rather than relying on convoluted legal parameters; ask yourself, is it possible to kill a person with a sap or a blackjack? If you hit them in the head, it is absolutely possible to kill or cause significant and permanent injury. Therefore, the lethal capability is there. For individuals looking to supplement their firearm with a dedicated “less-lethal” tool for dealing with simple assaults that are not deemed deadly under the law, I would urge caution in choosing impact weapons for this. Yes, targeting less-lethal body targets such as hands, arms, knees, etc…, with an impact weapon would likely be deemed less-lethal under the scrutiny of the law, but can you guarantee that in a fight, you can so meticulously stick to striking only such targets? Hardly.

If carrying a sap or blackjack is legal in your jurisdiction, and you choose to do so, I would urge you to consider what role it fills cautiously. If you consider it a potentially lethal force tool that may be better suited for dealing with contact distance deadly threats than is your handgun, then it may be a viable option. However, I would urge caution if you are carrying such a tool as your dedicated less-lethal force tool. OC spray is the best tool for most people to provide a strictly less-lethal level of force. Impact weapons can do great harm, so the justification for use must be warranted against a significantly violent threat.

In closing, I would suggest that you get good training in the use of an impact weapon if you do indeed carry one. I also suggest that you consider it a significant level of force because it is, and if you want a dedicated less-lethal tool, then OC spray is a better option.

Salvatore

Salvatore

Salvatore is a firearms instructor, competitive shooter, and life-long practitioner of the concealed carry lifestyle. He strives to serve as a conduit of reliable information for the ever-growing community of armed citizens and concealed carriers. You can contact him at his website Reflex Handgun.

Next Post
Alabama Homeowner Stops Home Invasion, Shooting 1 of 2 Suspects

Alabama Homeowner Stops Home Invasion, Shooting 1 of 2 Suspects

5 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Please login to comment
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
jack burton
2 years ago

A collapsible baton such as an ASP is easily carried and quite effective when trained to use one. There is good reason why they are so popular with police. When in your car you have access to a nigh infinite number of useful impact weapons that are disguised as ordinary items that are legal to carry. Tire irons, wrenches, hammers, and other items are perfectly normal to have within reach in the front seat of a car.

7
Previous Post

First Hawaii Concealed Carry Permit Issued In Oahu After Bruen

Next Post

Alabama Homeowner Stops Home Invasion, Shooting 1 of 2 Suspects

Related Posts

Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint
Articles

Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint

June 11, 2025
Concealed Carry Expanded: PA and VA Finalize Firearm Reciprocity Agreement
Articles

Concealed Carry Expanded: PA and VA Finalize Firearm Reciprocity Agreement

June 11, 2025
Articles

“People That Want To Kill You Don’t Care About Your Feelings”

June 10, 2025
Masked Gunman Killed by Employee During Attempted Robbery at Sugar’s Crab Shack
Articles

Masked Gunman Killed by Employee During Attempted Robbery at Sugar’s Crab Shack

June 9, 2025

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

Navigate Site

  • State Guides
  • Maps
  • Articles
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Giveaway
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

wpDiscuz
1
0
Join the conversation, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Gun Deals
Gun.Deals