Penal Code § 22210 PC – Leaded Canes & Batons – California Law

Penal Code § 22210 PC makes it illegal to manufacture, import, sell, give, or possess leaded canes or batons (or other weapons in this category). The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. A conviction is punishable by up to 3 years in jail or prison.

A leaded cane is a:

• crutch,
• staff,
• stick, or
• rod

that is weighted with lead so it can be used as a weapon. The statute also applies to short and weighted objects that can strike a person (such as a baton).

The language of the code section states that:

22210. Any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any leaded cane, or any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a billy, blackjack, sandbag, sandclub, sap, or slungshot, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment.

Examples

• going to a concert while carrying a billy club in a backpack.
• buying a leaded can in Oregon and driving it back into California.
• selling a baton to a neighborhood kid.

Defenses

You can use a legal defense to challenge an accusation under this statute. Common defenses include:

• no prohibited weapon,
• free from prosecution, and/or
• no probable cause.

Penalties

A violation of PC 22210 is a wobbler offense. This means it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

Either charge is punishable by:

• imprisonment in county jail, and/or
• a significant fine.

In lieu of jail time, a judge can award either:

• misdemeanor (or summary) probation, or
• felony (or formal) probation.

Our California criminal defense attorneys will explain the following in this article:

• 1. To which weapons does 22210 PC apply?
  • 1.1. Can I get a permit for a baton in California?
• 2. Are there legal defenses?
  • 2.1. No prohibited weapon
  • 2.2. Free from prosecution
  • 2.3. No probable cause
• 3. What are the penalties?
• 4. Are there immigration consequences?
• 5. Can I get a conviction expunged?
• 6. Does a conviction affect gun rights?
• 7. Are there related offenses?
  • 7.1. Possession of brass knuckles – PC 21810
  • 7.2. Carrying concealed dirks or daggers – PC 21310
  • 7.3. Possession of prohibited weapons – PC 16590

1. To which weapons does 22210 PC apply?

Penal Code 22210 is the California statute that makes it a crime to:

• make,
• import,
• sell,
• give, or
• possess

leaded canes or batons.¹

A “leaded cane” is an object like a stick that is unnaturally weighted with lead.²

Note that the statute also applies to weapons that are short and weighted.³ Some examples include a:

• baton,
• billy club,⁴
• blackjack,⁵
• sandbag,
• sap, and
• slungshot.⁶

Also note that all these weapons are:

• also prohibited under,
• Penal Code 16590 PC, or California’s statute on generally prohibited weapons.⁷

1.1. Can I get a permit for a baton in California?

California Business and Professions Code 7583.3 BPC says that:

• security guards,
• can apply for and obtain a permit to carry and use a baton,
• provided the baton is used only while on duty.⁸

The following conditions must be met for a guard to get a baton permit:

1. you must be 18 years old or older,
2. you must receive baton training from a bureau-certified baton training facility,
3. you must have a valid security guard registration, and
4. you have to pay a fee of $50.⁹

2. Are there legal defenses?

You can raise a legal defense to beat the charge if accused under these laws.

Three common defenses are:

1. no prohibited weapon,
2. free from prosecution, and/or
3. no probable cause.

2.1. No prohibited weapon

This statute only makes it a crime to do certain acts with leaded canes, or:

• other weapons,
• that are specifically listed in the law.

This means it is a defense to say that you did not have one of these prohibited weapons.

2.2. Free from prosecution

Please note that certain people are free from prosecution under Penal Code 22210. For example:

• members of law enforcement agencies may,
• sell, transfer, or possess these weapons.

It is a defense, therefore, to show that you are exempt from prosecution.

2.3. No probable cause

Police must have probable cause before they can detain or arrest you for a crime. Thus, if you were stopped or arrested for violating this statute, and:

• there was no probable cause,
• then any evidence obtained could get excluded from the case.

This could result in the dismissal or reduction in charges.

3. What are the penalties?

A violation of Penal Code 22210 is a wobbler offense. This means it can be charged as either:

• a misdemeanor, or
• a felony.

If charged as a misdemeanor, the crime is punishable by:

• imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, and/or
• a maximum fine of $1,000.¹⁰

If charged as a felony, the offense is punishable by:

• imprisonment in jail for up to three years, and/or
• a maximum fine of $10,000.¹¹

4. Are there immigration consequences?

A leaded cane conviction will not have any negative immigration consequences.

Some crimes in California can result in a non-citizen defendant being either:

• deported, or
• marked as inadmissible.

One example is a crime involving moral turpitude.

However, a PC 22210 conviction does not have this effect.

5. Can I get a conviction expunged?

You can get an expungement if convicted of this offense.

Penal Code 1203.4 PC says an expungement removes many of the hardships that come with a conviction.

You can get an expungement if you complete:

• probation, or
• a jail term (whichever is applicable).

Note that a judge may even award expungement if you violate a probation term.

6. Does a conviction affect gun rights?

A conviction under this statute may hurt your gun rights.

California law says that it is illegal for convicted felons to:

• own a gun, or
• possess a gun.

Remember that a prosecutor may charge a PC 22210 violation as either:

• a misdemeanor, or
• a felony.

If charged as a felony then, and:

• you are convicted of the same,
• you would be stripped of your gun rights.

7. Are there related offenses

There are three crimes related to illegal acts with leaded canes. These are:

1. possession of brass knuckles – PC 21810,
2. carrying concealed dirks or daggers – PC 21310, and
3. possession of prohibited weapons – PC 16590.

7.1. Possession of brass knuckles – PC 21810

Penal Code 21810 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime to:

• make,
• import,
• sell,
• give, or
• possess

metal knuckles or brass knuckles.

The penalties under this statute are the same as under Penal Code 22210.

7.2. Carrying concealed dirks or daggers – PC 21310

Penal Code 21310 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime to:

• carry a concealed,
• dirk or dagger.

A “dirk” or “dagger” is a:

• long thrusting knife that can cause great bodily injury or death,
• if used to stab someone.

An example is a pocketknife with its blade locked into position.

7.3. Possession of prohibited weapons – PC 16590

Penal Code 16590 PC is the California statute that prohibits:

• manufacturing,
• selling, and/or
• possessing

certain dangerous weapons.

These “generally prohibited weapons” include items like:

• brass knuckles, and
• short-barreled shotguns.

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