MOST hand-weapons ARE illegal, unless they're actually for hunting, the rest are sold as 'paperweights' or 'novelty items'
i think snoopdogg just got busted with a baton in an airport a week or two ago
i've personally always wanted a pair of those gloves that are filled with either lead powder, or bb's, because you MIGHT actually be able to get away with actually using them for self defense without elevating/causing charges
anything else can't realistically be used for any more than 'flashing' to someone...... there's no way to get out of actually stabbing someone, or actually hitting them with a pair of knuckles..... the cops are going to know exactly what happened, you're never goign to convince them you actually broke someon's cheekbone, or snapped their jaw with your bare hands, and whether or not they attacked YOU, you're gonna be in a world of shit