First, let me introduce myself. I'm a midwestern clergyman who is also a second dan in Taekwondo, and the weapons instructor for my traditional school (traditional in that we consider TKD to be a martial art, not a sport).
While state laws vary, let me contribute my thoughts to the discussion of the laws that may regulate the carrying of Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks. I do know something about how the laws work relevant to marital arts weapons or tools, although I am not a lawyer or even an expert.
It seems to me that there is no problem with the Pocket Meteor or the Koppo Stick. First, They probably would not be recognized as weapons at all, or if they were they would fall into the generally lawful "key chain" weapon category such as the Kobuton. Most states are very tolerant of such weapons as they simply are not intimidating enough to be seriously considered offensive weapons ("Give my your wallet or I'll whap you with my Kobuton" isn't much of a threat). While they probably could be used offensively, anything can. Clearly, they are not designed with attack in mind.
The Ban Bog sticks are a bit more problematic, but might still fall into the key chain weapon category. However, I believe that the Wang Stick and the Wang Bo stick would be very difficult to explain away. I suspect they would violate the general prohibition against "black jacks and billies" that most states have on the books.
As someone else said in this forum, if you are caught carrying a martial art tool you better have a reason for carrying it, and the reason cannot be self-defense. If you are a legitimate martial artist (who belongs to a federation, is a student or instructor at a school, and who holds some rank) I think that a very reasonable argument can be made for carrying at least some of the Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks. It is a point of common law that the peaceful practice of a martial art is not a crime. Therefore, it seems to me that a legitimate martial artist could carry a TiStick on his or her person to permit frequent range-of-motion exercises to be done in the course of day to keep joints flexible. As one gets older (and I am almost 50), such daily exercise is essential to keep arthritis at bay. I doubt the law can tell me that I cannot have on a my person a tool that permits me to do the exercises essential to the continued peaceful practice of my art.
I've looked at the Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks for some time, and after reading the traffic in this forum, decided to order a Pocket Meteor and an 8" Ban Bog. They arrived here yesterday, and I've had fun trying them out. The Ban Bog is a traditional Korean weapon and my students are going to enjoy playing with this one. The Pocket Meteor does look useful as a self-defense tool and is certainly convenient to carry. This was important.
I typically go through my day in dress slacks, and as I sit for long periods, I do not want anything in either of my back pockets (it throws the spine off and I find it causes backaches). After some experimentation, I find that it works best for me if I drop the PM in my front trouser pocket and run the cord up to a small flat "s" shaped steel clip (originally sold to hold a key ring) on my belt. One part of the "s" shaped clip goes over my belt and the other loosely clips the cord of the PM. Snagging the cord with a thumb and pulling it can quickly draw the PM. This move pops the cord out of the belt clip and pulls the PM out of the pocket. A flick of the wrist wraps the PM around my hand to the Ready Position. When I am standing the PM is actually dangling from its cord inside my front pocket, with its full weight being supported by my belt. It cannot be seen and is very comfortable to wear.
I am very pleased to have these tools and especially pleased at their quality. I hope some of you will find my comments useful.
Scot Giles
While state laws vary, let me contribute my thoughts to the discussion of the laws that may regulate the carrying of Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks. I do know something about how the laws work relevant to marital arts weapons or tools, although I am not a lawyer or even an expert.
It seems to me that there is no problem with the Pocket Meteor or the Koppo Stick. First, They probably would not be recognized as weapons at all, or if they were they would fall into the generally lawful "key chain" weapon category such as the Kobuton. Most states are very tolerant of such weapons as they simply are not intimidating enough to be seriously considered offensive weapons ("Give my your wallet or I'll whap you with my Kobuton" isn't much of a threat). While they probably could be used offensively, anything can. Clearly, they are not designed with attack in mind.
The Ban Bog sticks are a bit more problematic, but might still fall into the key chain weapon category. However, I believe that the Wang Stick and the Wang Bo stick would be very difficult to explain away. I suspect they would violate the general prohibition against "black jacks and billies" that most states have on the books.
As someone else said in this forum, if you are caught carrying a martial art tool you better have a reason for carrying it, and the reason cannot be self-defense. If you are a legitimate martial artist (who belongs to a federation, is a student or instructor at a school, and who holds some rank) I think that a very reasonable argument can be made for carrying at least some of the Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks. It is a point of common law that the peaceful practice of a martial art is not a crime. Therefore, it seems to me that a legitimate martial artist could carry a TiStick on his or her person to permit frequent range-of-motion exercises to be done in the course of day to keep joints flexible. As one gets older (and I am almost 50), such daily exercise is essential to keep arthritis at bay. I doubt the law can tell me that I cannot have on a my person a tool that permits me to do the exercises essential to the continued peaceful practice of my art.
I've looked at the Blade Rigger Titanium Sticks for some time, and after reading the traffic in this forum, decided to order a Pocket Meteor and an 8" Ban Bog. They arrived here yesterday, and I've had fun trying them out. The Ban Bog is a traditional Korean weapon and my students are going to enjoy playing with this one. The Pocket Meteor does look useful as a self-defense tool and is certainly convenient to carry. This was important.
I typically go through my day in dress slacks, and as I sit for long periods, I do not want anything in either of my back pockets (it throws the spine off and I find it causes backaches). After some experimentation, I find that it works best for me if I drop the PM in my front trouser pocket and run the cord up to a small flat "s" shaped steel clip (originally sold to hold a key ring) on my belt. One part of the "s" shaped clip goes over my belt and the other loosely clips the cord of the PM. Snagging the cord with a thumb and pulling it can quickly draw the PM. This move pops the cord out of the belt clip and pulls the PM out of the pocket. A flick of the wrist wraps the PM around my hand to the Ready Position. When I am standing the PM is actually dangling from its cord inside my front pocket, with its full weight being supported by my belt. It cannot be seen and is very comfortable to wear.
I am very pleased to have these tools and especially pleased at their quality. I hope some of you will find my comments useful.
Scot Giles
