In reference to MillCreek's response and others' requests regarding the legality of carrying a collapsible baton in Washington state:
Today I called the Washington State Patrol office in Olympia and consulted with a trooper regarding this issue. Together we both reviewed RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 9.41.270 and it is as such:
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.
(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license.
(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:
(a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business;
(b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;
(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;
(d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or
(e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.
It should be noted that this law excludes civilians in general from carrying a collapsible baton as it is regarded as a lethal weapon and punishable as a gross misdemeanor; furthermore, if the violator is a holder of a Concealed Pistol License, said license will be revoked by law enforcement personnel upon arrest. Thus, carrying a collapsible baton is not covered under said Concealed Pistol License. The only time said weapon is allowed for carry, presentation and/or use is in one's domicile or fixed place of business (store building only; vehicles not included), and presentation and/or use within the home or fixed place of business must be consistent with the intent to preserve the safety of one's self or another if the perpetrator presents any form of weapon with intent to attack and/or cause bodily harm. Any other presentation or use is a gross misdemeanor.
Hopefully this lays the matter to rest. As disappointed as I am on the fact (I recently purchased a collapsible baton), the law's the law. I imagine there could be an initiative drafted to make carrying a collapsible baton legal by virtue of permit, but finding the necessary 6-digit signatures is another matter altogether. Any ideas?