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"Tactical" Pens
7.62x39Lover
Member Posts: 3,939 ✭✭✭
Hi guys.
I will be working as a bailiff soon and will always be in "secure" areas and will not be able to carry any weapons.
Do any of you guys know of a good, solid, perhaps plasic "tactical" pen. I am paranoid about having to put a metal "tactical" pen into a bin at the security area.
I will most likely be in a bad part of town a lot of the time.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I will be working as a bailiff soon and will always be in "secure" areas and will not be able to carry any weapons.
Do any of you guys know of a good, solid, perhaps plasic "tactical" pen. I am paranoid about having to put a metal "tactical" pen into a bin at the security area.
I will most likely be in a bad part of town a lot of the time.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Comments
As a baliff you should have a duty pistol so a tactical pen is not needed, however if you insist smith and wesson makes one.
If only I could put you in charge. [;)] In Dade County, FL bailiffs are not allowed to carry weapons (from what I understand) and do not have to be sworn officers. We have a few armed police officers in the building. I am not worried at all about being in the court houses. I just prefer to have some kind of armament at all times, especially on the street on my way in and out. I am not a police officer. The guy that I spoke with at HR said that we do not have to carry, but I did not want to look like a wanna be rambo so I did not ask if we could carry.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=930351
carve yourself and nice wooden knife or make one out of perspex or some such tough plastic,it`s got to be better than a plastic pen![B)]
Where can I get perspex or other tough plastic bars? Home Depot? What can I work on it with? Sand Paper?
Go back and ask. Just how good are you in a hand to hand knife fight? The problem with those pens and any other kind of shank is that you may well be outnumbered by thugs, many of whom are quite used to knife fighting, in or out of the courthouse and they just might be able to overpower you and then use it on you. At least, with a gun you can start firing as you back up and reduce the number who get to you physically. You may even persuade the others to back off. If you have the option, carry. You can also consider concealed carry.
I agree.
If I have the option I will carry. I spoke to two people on my interview and one was a bailiff with no weapon. I am 90% sure I will not be allowed any weapons. Therefore I'd never whip one out in a court house. The thing is that I would like to be armed on the way in and out and I am 90% sure I will be walking through "security" / metal detectors on my way in and out. The next time I speak with someone who knows for sure, and didn't display a negative attitude toward weapons, I will ask. The two fellows I spoke with seemed to be weapon phobes.
I'm just used to always carrying at least a pocket knife.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=128982
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=930351
Thanks coltpax. One looks like it has a bit of steel. Enough to set off the detector? Who knows? The cold steel one looks good, but I was thinking more along the lines of a shank type deal.
Who knows? I may just have to end up disarmed by the man. [V]
I'm gonna continue to weigh options.
quote:Originally posted by dan kelly
carve yourself and nice wooden knife or make one out of perspex or some such tough plastic,it`s got to be better than a plastic pen![B)]
Where can I get perspex or other tough plastic bars? Home Depot? What can I work on it with? Sand Paper?
i don`t know where you would get it from in the u.s. but here you can buy it in sheets from any hardware store.
draw the shape you want, then cut it out rough with a jigsaw or coping saw...wahtever you have that will cut it, then finish it off with a bench grinder,file, and sandpaper. finish it with wet and dry.
you should be able to get a nice point on it, and with patience and reasonable edge.
Like it's been mentioned I recall those ABS resin "C.I.A. letter openers".
a buddy of mine is a prison doc, minimum security facility.
he started out carrying BIC pens to write notes, because they could be used as a weapon.
his idea was to hold it in a clenched fist and swing downward at the upper chest area. intent was to puncture a lung and run away.
now that he's making big bucks, he carries a graphite mont blanc, but swears he can do the same thing with it.[:)]
tom
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
http://tinyurl.com/4vny2la
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
You reside in one of,if not THE most gun-friendly states in the union...
Ask the HR feller if,in fact you CAN carry...
I can't believe Fl. doesn't allow "OPEN" carry..It may be that it is allowed,I just never saw anyone doing it.
If you get an assigned parking space near the courthouse, just leave it in your trunk.
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I suggest you take Krav Maga or perhaps study Jeet Kune Do.
+1
You better be good to keep a handle on a shank in a room full of professional shank handlers.
quote:I would fill the shaft with epoxy of the BIC pen.
a buddy of mine is a prison doc, minimum security facility.
he started out carrying BIC pens to write notes, because they could be used as a weapon.
his idea was to hold it in a clenched fist and swing downward at the upper chest area. intent was to puncture a lung and run away.
now that he's making big bucks, he carries a graphite mont blanc, but swears he can do the same thing with it.[:)]
tom
+1
Fill the bic pen with epoxy and reinstall the ink tube. Then epoxy the pocket clip/cap on the top of it, as in the 'as in use' position. Dip the writing end in a little clear nail polish so it is sealed and won't stain your pocket.
In the meantime, take the money you were thinking of spending on that silly * 'tactical pen' and put it towards a pair of good running shoes. They might come in handy working courtroom security while unarmed.
Deputy Sheriffs provide security in the courtrooms and transport the accused into and out of the courtroom if the accused is incarcerated
Differant states must have differant duties for baliffs. In PA the baliffs (men and women) escort the jury into and out of the courtroom and make sure they aren't disturbed while in deliberation.
Deputy Sheriffs provide security in the courtrooms and transport the accused into and out of the courtroom if the accused is incarcerated
quote:
So if you are not sworn, and are a "Bailiff" what exactly will be your duties? The Bailiffs where I live and work provide Court Room Security, and are armed sworn Sheriffs Deputies...all they do is Court Room Security, they don't work outside the Court House. Then there are Deputies that serve Civil Process, they are armed sworn Deputies too.
In Dade County, FL a bailiff is responsible for court room and jury security within the court house. Escort folks / defendants in and out of court. Bailiffs are not always in court. They are assigned to a judge and perform clerical duties for the judge and the court. So a bailiff in Dade County might go to court once or twice a week and do office work the other 3 or 4 days. Dade County is the only county in FL where Bailiffs are not sworn. The only reason I can fathom for this is that we are a big city (Miami) and are always short on officers. So aside from the fact that I figure most cops would not want all the desk work of a bailiff, they probably need to put as many bodies on the street as possible. No weapons of any kind are allowed in Court houses period. They all have metal detectors at the door. Only sworn officers on official business are allowed to carry. I see so many cops at court houses that I figure they must assign a few cops to be in the court house for security in general. I would imagine that as a bailiff I would be able to summon them in extreme cases.
quote:
if you didn't feel comfortable asking the HR guy before getting hired, wait until you get on the job and pick up on the drill from other bailiffs. You're probably not the only one in this psoition.
In the meantime, take the money you were thinking of spending on that silly * 'tactical pen' and put it towards a pair of good running shoes. They might come in handy working courtroom security while unarmed.
quote:
If the jail is in or near the courthouse they probably have an armory where police check their guns to go into the jail. If that's the case, it couldn't hurt to ask the deputy in charge of the armory if you could check your gun on the way to and from work.
If you get an assigned parking space near the courthouse, just leave it in your trunk.
You guys are right. Once I find a like minded other bailiff, he can give me the skinny on what most folks do. I will find someone to ask about a place to "check in" a firearm or perhaps leave a cheapie in my car if I can park near the court house (don't think I will be able to park near the court house though).
quote:
We do not have open carry in FL, although we are trying to get it. Court houses do not allow any weapons either.
7.62:
You reside in one of,if not THE most gun-friendly states in the union...
Ask the HR feller if,in fact you CAN carry...
I can't believe Fl. doesn't allow "OPEN" carry..It may be that it is allowed,I just never saw anyone doing it.
We do not have open carry in FL, although we are trying to get it. Court houses do not allow any weapons either.
You guys are the best.
To all the epoxy in the pen guys, I think that is the best idea. Because to me it seems any security guy worth his salt should be able to spot a "tactical" pen a mile away. I will resurect this thread at a later date and tell you guys how it all went.
Unless authorized by policy, I'd say that carrying a weapon in an area of the court house where weapons are prohibited by law is illegal, bailiff or not.
Having a non-descript item with you that could be used as a weapon is one thing, but carrying one you've purpose built or modified to pass through established security is a very, very bad idea.
A couple of points to consider:
Unless authorized by policy, I'd say that carrying a weapon in an area of the court house where weapons are prohibited by law is illegal, bailiff or not.
Having a non-descript item with you that could be used as a weapon is one thing, but carrying one you've purpose built or modified to pass through established security is a very, very bad idea.
You are correct sir. I will ask around, see if leaving a piece in the car is worth it or if there is somewhere perfectly legal that I can leave a weapon as JamesRK suggested.
quote:Originally posted by Txs
A couple of points to consider:
Unless authorized by policy, I'd say that carrying a weapon in an area of the court house where weapons are prohibited by law is illegal, bailiff or not.
Having a non-descript item with you that could be used as a weapon is one thing, but carrying one you've purpose built or modified to pass through established security is a very, very bad idea.
a pen is a pen IMO. Just about anything can be used as a weapon if you have the right training with it.
You are correct sir. I will ask around, see if leaving a piece in the car is worth it or if there is somewhere perfectly legal that I can leave a weapon as JamesRK suggested.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
quote:Originally posted by Txs
Having a non-descript item with you that could be used as a weapon is one thing, but carrying one you've purpose built or modified to pass through established security is a very, very bad idea.
a pen is a pen IMO. Just about anything can be used as a weapon if you have the right training with it.A pen that's been filled with epoxy to strengthen it and rendered nonfunctional by sealing the tip over is no longer a pen.
As I said, a nondescipt item that COULD be used as a weapon is a different matter.
The rule is that any item he would view as prohibited during the course of his duties as an unarmed bailiff are also off limits to him.
http://www.rickhindererknives.com/personal-protection/titanium-extreme-duty-pen/
I never heard of a bailiff that isn't allowed to be armed. What court is it?
Scroll up 7 posts from your last post and give it a read. [;)]
Sharpen a pair of chopsticks, learn to eat with them and keep them in your back pocket?
Why for? Just buy the $2.00 ones with Hello Kitty on them. Okay if you ain't man enough get the laqured ones.