Categories: U.S.

California billy club ban struck down by court on Second Amendment grounds

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 23

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

A court in California has stricken down a state ban on billy clubs on Second Amendment grounds.

The lawsuit was brought by plaintiff Russell Fouts against California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the state law making it a crime to carry or even possess a billy club.

“This case is about a California law that makes it a crime to simply possess or carry a billy. This case is not about whether California can prohibit or restrict the use or possession of a billy for unlawful purposes,” the verdict reads.

BIDEN ADMITS ‘BROKEN’ IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IN MEETING WITH GOVERNORS AS MIGRANTS MASS-RELEASED IN CALIFORNIA

Photo illustration shows a law enforcement officer carrying a billy club, also sometimes referred to as a police baton. (In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

It continues, “Historically, the short wooden stick that police officers once carried on their beat was known as a billy or billy club. The term remains vague today and may encompass a metal baton, a little league bat, a wooden table leg, or a broken golf club shaft, all of which are weapons that could be used for self-defense but are less lethal than a firearm.”

The decision was passed down by Judge Roger Benitez in the Southern District of California.

WOULD-BE BURGLARS ARMED WITH ‘BILLY CLUB’ PICK THE WRONG FARMER TO TRY TO ROB: ‘I WILL SHOOT’

The court ruled to strike down the ban based on the Second Amendment and its protection of citizens’ right to carry weapons, including those other than firearms.

“The Second Amendment protects a citizen’s right to defend one’s self with dangerous and lethal firearms,” the court stated. “But not everybody wants to carry a firearm for self-defense. Some prefer less-lethal weapons. A billy is a less-lethal weapon that may be used for self-defense.”

Police in Canada brandish billyclubs as they clash with protestors during a protest in Toronto, Ontario. ((Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images))

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

The verdict continued, “One can easily imagine countless citizens carrying these weapons on daily walks and hikes to defend themselves against attacks by humans or animals. To give full life to the core right of self-defense, every law-abiding responsible individual citizen has a constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms like the billy for lawful purposes.”

Billy clubs — also variously referred to as batons, billysticks, and truncheons — are short, lightweight clubs that have been used by security, law enforcement and private individuals as blunt weapons.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com

Share

Recent Posts

Iran remembers Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a ‘martyr’ and ‘model for the youth and children’

close Video Former ambassador says Israel at war for its 'national survival' Former Israeli Ambassador…

50 mins ago

Pentagon answers question of whether UFOs and aliens have visited Earth

close Video Former intel official on government UFO program: We are ‘well beyond reasonable doubt’…

60 mins ago

Honduran illegal immigrant deported from US twice, sentenced for leading Texas burglary ring: ‘Masterminded’

close Video Trump sends message to illegal immigrants: 'Get ready to leave' Fox News' Bill…

60 mins ago

Alyssa Lokits case: Man accused of savagely murdering woman on Nashville trail makes first court appearance

close Video Nashville police arrest person of interest in Mill Creek Greenway murder Less than…

60 mins ago

LAPD seizes $4M in fentanyl, enough dosage to potentially kill entire population of Los Angeles

close Video Mom of fentanyl poisoning victim: Trump-Vance ticket is 'only answer' to opioid crisis…

3 hours ago

California man tortured girlfriend, tattooed ‘degrading words’ on her chest before killing her

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for October 17 Fox News Flash top headlines…

3 hours ago