Asp baton
| Private | |
| Industry | Forced Compliance Weapons |
| Founded | Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S. (1976) |
| Founder | Kevin Parsons |
| Headquarters | Appleton, Wisconsin, USA |
|
Key people
|
Kevin Parsons, founder, Chairman and CEO |
| Products | Tactical batons, Handcuffs, OC Products, Lighting, Training |
| Website | asp-usa.com |
Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc. (ASP, Inc.), is a US defensive compliance weapons manufacturer providing equipment to law enforcement and private security companies. ASP telescoping batons are widely used.
ASP was founded in 1976 by Kevin Parsons, initially to produce the small custom 9mm ASP pistol. When traditional firearms manufacturers moved into that market, they re-focussed their efforts onto expandable batons.
ASP's produce telescoping batons. An assessment by law enforcement officers found them preferred to the usual straight baton for their portability, convenience, effectiveness, usability, and psychological impact.
ASP batons have been adopted by law enforcement agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia since the early 1990s. Expandable batons in general are sometimes referred to as "Asps".
The batons come in 3 sizes: 16", 21" and 26", and the company has adopted a European measurement standard. They are available with several variations, such as color (black being the most common, but some have nickel-plated shafts), grip pattern and material, and metal composition, the most common being 4140 high carbon steel, with an "airweight" line using a light-weight alloy with a combination of steel and aluminum.
ASP batons were friction-lock in design, and were opened by swinging the handle forcibly through the air. To close this type, the baton's tip is driven into a hard surface to break the friction. A version introduced in 2010 but since discontinued is called "LeverLoc", opened the same way was as friction-lock, but closable by twisting the shafts with both hands, and slightly longer when collapsed state due to the mechanism; a LeverLoc designed for plain-clothes concealment was also produced. The friction-lock Airweight series (P12 and P16), for plain-clothed concealment, was released in 2012.
The company produces restraints such as handcuffs and plastic ties, flashlights, and other weapons accessories, including customization options.
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