The last argument.
The last «argument».
A sedative by force.
A police baton cannot be clearly classified. Its use does not involve causing significant harm to a person. Apparently, this is why batons are vaguely called «special means».
In fact, the term «police baton» is accepted in the West. Our police pacify their citizens with ordinary rubber truncheons.
Rubber truncheon PR-89M. It is a rubber rod connected to a metal handle, in which a gas canister can be mounted. If there is no need for it, the truncheon can be used as a folding one. The length of the PR-89M is 620 mm, the diameter is 30 mm, the weight is 100 g.
Another modification, PR-73M, is intended for equipping the external service and internal troops. The rubber rod of the baton has a thickening that protects the hand from a blow from a cold weapon, as well as a knurled handle that allows you to securely hold this special tool. The length of the PR-73M is 600 mm, the diameter is 34 mm, and the weight is 820 g.
The PR-89 telescopic baton was developed for actions in cramped conditions. Its length can vary from 450 mm to 595 mm, the diameter is 30 mm, and the weight is 600 g.
An innovation in the design of police equipment was the appearance of batons made in the form of a tonfa, that is, having an additional side handle.
The presence of such a handle significantly expands the practical capabilities of the baton. Among domestic special means of this type, the PR-90 can be noted. In addition to the presence of a side handle, the baton has a telescopic design. Dimensions from 450 mm to 595 mm, diameter — 30 mm, weight — 820 g.
The «Argument» series products have a similar design, but without a telescopic element. These batons have different lengths and weights. Due to their increased elasticity, they cannot be used as a classic tonfa, but are nevertheless quite an effective weapon.
Special means of this type are constantly being improved. A baton has been developed that has a small knife in the handle, with a hook at the end for cutting seat belts. In addition, a flashlight is built into the baton. It is possible to attach a removable metal element to the side handle. A modern baton is sometimes disguised as a police baton with a built-in device that throws a charge of an irritant at a distance of 10-15 meters. With the help of such a baton, you can significantly complicate the life of a criminal. For example, liquid released from the baton hitting the windshield of the offender's car solves two problems. Firstly, it obstructs the driver's view, and secondly, it marks the car.
The Surprise-1 product has an interesting design. It consists of a handle, an elastic element and a spherical striking part. When folded, the baton has small dimensions.
Improvised means can be used as a police baton, for example, a police flashlight from the Maglite company. This is a rather massive product with exceptional strength. Flashlights are produced in a whole range, differing from each other in length and weight. Now an interesting device in the form of a side handle has been developed for them. In combination with a rigid design, such a handle turns the Maglite flashlight into a tonfa. In some countries, the use of flashlights as batons by police is prohibited. This indicates their exceptional effectiveness.
All of the listed products can be purchased relatively freely.
DIFFICULT KIDS
In the initial period of democracy, telescopic batons, which were more effective and convenient than rubber truncheons, began to appear in law enforcement agencies. This not entirely official process was soon stopped, and telescopic batons were banned. But a large number of them are still «walking» around the territory of our country.
Telescopic batons come in two types: with rigid and flexible striking elements.
As a rule, the telescopic element consists of two sections, which makes the baton portable when folded. For example, the Spring Billy telescopic baton is 7 inches long when folded and 16 x 12 inches when unfolded. The baton consists of a metal handle and two elastic elements twisted from wire. There is a small metal thickening at the end. To activate such a baton, it is enough to make a sharp swing. Under the action of inertial forces, it opens and wedges in the open state, since both the handle and the telescopic elements have a conical shape.
Telescopic elements can also be rigid, as in the «tactical» baton Scabbards. This baton is available in two sizes: 8×21 inches and 9×26 inches. Their handles are covered with soft rubber and are easy to hold in the hands. Such a baton can be carried in a special case on the belt or simply in a jacket pocket.
In my opinion, batons with flexible telescopic elements are more convenient. They are more securely fixed in the open state. Their functionality allows you to strike even through a block. Therefore, these batons are very close to such a traditional Russian weapon as a flail. I believe that such batons are the most promising as an urban weapon. In the late 80s in Moscow, telescopic batons were sometimes sold even in commercial kiosks. Moreover, the batons were distinguished by good factory quality. It is also quite natural that their distribution was quickly stopped. Telescopic batons were produced in small quantities in Tula. They were mainly supplied to special services, although they were formally banned.
The Tula baton is equipped with a lock, which eliminates the possibility of its spontaneous opening. In addition, the end of the handle has a conical shape and can be used to strike. The handle has a hole for attaching a lanyard.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has rules for the use of special equipment. It is forbidden to strike with rubber truncheons on the head, neck, collarbone area, stomach and genitals. But these restrictions, of course, are theoretical.