[Carpe_Jugulum]

Several of us were trying to figure out how thay were legal. A friends dad was talking about getting them, but several of us were rather against it.

If you haven't seen them they look like a police padge but say something like " (state name) CCW Permit holder" and come in a little wallet thingy or a belt clip. But from much of a distance you can't really tell that it's not a police bage.

 

[Guest]

Leave 'em for the mall-ninjas. There is absolutely ZERO reason to buy one, unless you're a wannabe.

If you flash a badge, you'd better have some authority. If you are in a situation where you have to use your CWP, you'd better THROW your gun away when the cops arrive, and show them your permit at the appropriate time. Plain-clothes cops don't start yelling "I'm a good guy" and fumble for their badges, they comply with the uniformed officers, and clear it up once the guns get put away.

If I was a cop, and someone flashed one of those badges at me, I'd arrest them for impersonating an officer.

 

[msgttbar]

Well said, Uraijit.

 

[Carpe_Jugulum]

Uraijit, that was almost exactly what we told the friends dad. I just don't understand why they are allowed to sell them in the first place.

 

[Guest]

Uraijit, that was almost exactly what we told the friends dad. I just don't understand why they are allowed to sell them in the first place.

It's a free country. We don't need more laws governing the sale of novelty items. To be completely fair, I considered buying one as a joke to put in a shadow-box with some other "mall-ninja" stuff, sort of like retired Eagle Scouts, and LEO and Military folks do. I think it would be really funny, and just as a silly satire of the "mall ninja" type.

I think it's totally stupid to buy one to use as a "badge" though.

 

[Strangerous]

My CWP instructor was against the CWP badges for that reason, he went on to say if you wanted to carry a badge, join a police department or fire department, as their badges have a lot more beauty and all of the authority comes with the police/fire badges. He did have Pins made up, the pins are about the size of a nickle, and look similar to a US marshall's full size badge design:

Differences being:
-The "CWP" pin is a heck of a lot smaller and will never be mis-judged as a "badge" of any sort.
-The "CWP" pin is gold, with the outer ring being black, outlined with gold.
-The "CWP" pin does not have any emblem in the star.
-The "CWP" pin does not have the balls on the star's ends... it extends straight into the outer ring.
-The "CWP" pin says in Gold on the Black part "Proud to be legally armed." at the top, with "U.S.A." at the bottom.
-The "CWP" pin is to be worn on the tip of the collar, as a tie-pin, or on your hat... never placed on a belt or above your shirt pocket.
-The "CWP" pin was created by 2 CWP instructors (who work together to give class) for three very important reasons:
1) To keep folks from being mistaken for a police officer by the "CWP Badges" if they happen to use their weapon.
2) To give the students (future cwp holders) a way to identify each other out in public. (It's nice to know when someone who thinks like you do is close by.) It also lets the instructors to identify their students old and new, as they see them out in public, they know they are making a difference when more of them are spotted..
3) To give the I need something to wear that says " I'm a CWP holder " without it saying " I'm a CWP Holder " types of people just what they want, without jeopardizing the CWP holder in any given environment.

Granted it may seem small, but that little pin gets noticed by many of the folks who took the CWP class at one time or another... even if they are not approached and asked. It's kind of like seeing an armored truck go down the road... you don't follow it and see if there are armed folks in the back... you just know that there is, and go about your business. And the pin looks great on any causal/business outfit, and will not get you scolded by authorities if you're spotted talking about it... It's a lapel pin... not a badge.

 

[Carpe_Jugulum]

I understand what you are saying however, I really dislike the idea selling things that could be used to impersonate a cop. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) but isn't some of the uniform stuff very tightly controlled to avoid it from falling into non-police hands?

I just see how easy it would be to have one clipped to a belt or coat and run in and start shouting orders like it's and emergency. In a case like that (and post 9/11) I wonder how many people would stop and inspect the badge? Honestly I'm not sure I would, Guy with a badge runs in where I and and give a "warning" about danger and how I need to exit etc. odds are I'd go w/o pause, especially if I was with my son.

Now if you came up and flashed a badge and started trying to get me out of my car or go through my stuff then nope lemme see that badge and some ID first. But a fake emergency I can thing of several easy ways to exploit the normal persons reaction. But maybe it's just that I'm a rather young jaded curmudgeon.

 

[Strangerous]

I understand what you are saying however, I really dislike the idea selling things that could be used to impersonate a cop. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) but isn't some of the uniform stuff very tightly controlled to avoid it from falling into non-police hands?

You do understand I have a PIN, the size of a nickle, this is no way, shape, form or fashion a badge of any sort? Or was that not directed at my post?

 

[Carpe_Jugulum]

You do understand I have a PIN, the size of a nickle, this is no way, shape, form or fashion a badge of any sort? Or was that not directed at my post?

I was responding to Uraijit's post directly above yours
I'm just a slow typist so by the time I was done you had posted. Sorry

p.s. I kind of like the pin idea

 

[Strangerous]

I was wondering, because if anyone would mistake my pin for a badge, then you don't need anything more than a dollar with some tin-foil shaped into a hat to get them to do anything you tell them to!

 

[Carpe_Jugulum]

I was wondering, because if anyone would mistake my pin for a badge, then you don't need anything more than a dollar with some tin-foil shaped into a hat to get them to do anything you tell them to!

sadly I work with some people like that

 

[Roblamont80]

If you can't pass the criteria to be a officer of the law, then you shur in hell don't deserve the badge. The badge stands for the hard work and dedication to upholding the law at all costs, not a novelty,"look at me" item. Not to mention people could use them in crimes and then real cops could end up hurt or dead because some one got tiered selling rubber dog crap and though it would be cool to exploite a badge for a buck or two.

 

[Guest]

I understand what you are saying however, I really dislike the idea selling things that could be used to impersonate a cop. I think (and correct me if I'm wrong) but isn't some of the uniform stuff very tightly controlled to avoid it from falling into non-police hands?

I just see how easy it would be to have one clipped to a belt or coat and run in and start shouting orders like it's and emergency. In a case like that (and post 9/11) I wonder how many people would stop and inspect the badge? Honestly I'm not sure I would, Guy with a badge runs in where I and and give a "warning" about danger and how I need to exit etc. odds are I'd go w/o pause, especially if I was with my son.

Now if you came up and flashed a badge and started trying to get me out of my car or go through my stuff then nope lemme see that badge and some ID first. But a fake emergency I can thing of several easy ways to exploit the normal persons reaction. But maybe it's just that I'm a rather young jaded curmudgeon.

Interesting POV. However, there are a few folks who feel the same way about guns being so easily attainable to non-LEO types. Where does it end? The people who want to use such things for evil purposes WILL get them. End of Story.

Replace the item of a novelty badge, with the word "gun", and suddenly the idea isn't quite as appealing.

When you start trying to regulate such silly things, for the "greater good", you become just like the folks we've so lovingly labeled "gun grabbers". Well intentioned as they may be, they're still wrong. The principals remain the same, no matter what objects they're applied to.

 

[Jackpine Savage]

+1 Uraijit.

Actually badges of any kind are relativly easy to buy. So long as it doesn't have a department name on it you can order one to say just about anything. While it's not a good idea, it is legal and if you want to run the risk of a criminal charge for carring one and impersonating an officer be my guest. Just know the laws of the state your in.

I have heard arguments for them that in the event of an unintended flash of the gun seeing a badge next to it calms people down, and I have to ad mit to an extent it does. It doesn't matter if it says Police, EMT, Firefighter, Dog Catcher, Security, or nothing, the tin calms and often times prevents people from calling 911.

I still think it's a dumb idea, but its their life, attorneys fees.

Take Care and Stay Safe

 

[Guest]

If you are willing to go through the difficulties of obtaining any kind of concealed weapons permit, arranged to place your weapon in an area where no one would be able to tell that there is a weapon, spend extra money to get a holster that will prevent "Printing." Then inform every living being that under that custom designed interior pocket vest, that YOU HAVE A CONCEALED WEAPON by putting this shiny badge on the lapel of your shirt??????????????????????????????


When I was in the military we called them PX heroes, or PX generals, if you have earned the right to wear an award, by all means, do, but if all you want to do is tell any bad guy that wants to know, hit me from behind, or from a distance, and you too can have my shiny badge, and while they are at it, they'll relieve you of your custom Kimber/ or HP C9.............etc


Doc

 

[condition1]

right on, Dok. Why on earth would you openly identify yourself as armed?

 

[Strangerous]

right on, Dok. Why on earth would you openly identify yourself as armed?

condition1, Only to those 'in the know' would be able to identify it as saying "I'm Armed". Not to mention you have to really close to even read it. Remember, the writing on it is small, about the size of the text "in God we trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" on the US Quarter... With that in mind, the nay-sayers can do all of the capslock trolling they want to do. If they have an issue with me, they can pm me directly, or have a mod/admin do it for them if they lack a pair. -back on topic- So if you are out in public and a BG is bent down looking at your pin in your tie, collar, or lapel... I'd most likely take a step back, because to read it, he would be breathing on you. I don't know about you, but I do not like to be breathed upon by dudes at all.
Perhaps you have forgotten that this thing is nickle sized? I'd be on alert if someone was that close, peering at my circle'd star, trying to read the text on it. The previous statements of being relieved of my weapon, or being taken out from behind, or broadcasting that I'm armed. Here's my response in order: Try it, If he's got a drop on me - he was too far away to read my lapel - wasn't he?, and only people in the know - Know.

For all of the folks who love to use caps lock, and use them in a "Mine's bigger that yours" context, especially when trying to sway the concsensus to be on your side, I have a perfect image for your kind:

 

[neothespian]

right on, Dok. Why on earth would you openly identify yourself as armed?

Actually I'm quite with you on that. If you have a concealed permit...isn't it counter productive to say "HEY LOOK! I'M CARRYING A CONCEALED GUN!" (that was smiply for emphasis and because I was told not to all in fun Strangerous...)

If a LEO asks to see my permit because he has a suspicion or question, I have no problem showing that permit. Beyond that there isn't a purpose to me to carry anything extra.

My take.

 

[Strangerous]

Actually I'm quite with you on that. If you have a concealed permit...isn't it counter productive to say "HEY LOOK! I'M CARRYING A CONCEALED GUN!" (that was smiply for emphasis and because I was told not to all in fun Strangerous...)

If a LEO asks to see my permit because he has a suspicion or question, I have no problem showing that permit. Beyond that there isn't a purpose to me to carry anything extra.

My take.

Ribbing me? Grrr. Well, I have to admit Neo, you are a true *******, and that word is *'d out because you can't say L1B3r4L on here anymore... But seeing as you still fail to realize that unless that LEO took a CWP class just for shats and giggles, he wouldn't know what the pin meant, or how you got it, or that you were armed... same as the bad guy...
Unless... you walked town all day telling everyone "Hey look at this pin, it says 'Proud to be legally armed' on it in really small letters, it means i have a concealed weapon, It's on my strongside at 4:30, Look!, You can even see it printing. Check this out! It's a gun. It's loaded, and goes bang, really really loud. It's in a Kydex holster you can just snap it off of my belt, and shoot me with it, ok? I'll hold up my shirt while you do that for me. Remember to remove the safety first, you gotta do that first or it will be useless, Thanks! I've always wanted to play victim, as it's easier to get out of trouble if you're the victim, and not the BG."

 

[cdbillups]

I would think after time, the pin would become recognizable to everyone. How long would it take for one person to get the image of the pin and plaster it all over the internet. Maybe not your typical bad guy, but I could see some anti-gun politician posting it as a "sign of the enemy" type mentality.

Either way, it's called concealed carry for a reason. If you want people (even only the other people that took the class) to know you're carrying a weapon, open carry it.