skidmark wrote:
Concealed Carry Badges are legal.
Most of us, and most of the "persons on the street" are of the opinion that any person who wears one is in need of serious mental health support.
That being said, feel free to go out and buy one and wear it around town. Do not accept any offers of free donuts, as that might put you into the category of "impersonating a police officer." Do not wonder at the polite stares and head-shaking you observe as you pass by. It's just folks saying "Well bless his heart*."
stay safe.
skidmark
* Southern expression that generally means "That poor goober is such a retard, you just have to make allowances for the things he does."
+1
Those who think they need badges (that goes for amateur radio operators who think that they need their callsign on a badge, you know who you are) are usually trying to get attention, or make themselves feel important, and are justifying their actions by saying it's legal.
I drive a crown vic, and unfortunately, there are those that will purchase a used crown victoria and 'cop it out' (add spotlights, flashing amber lights, sirens,etc) and say that they're not impersonating because 'it's not illegal'... While TECHNICALLY it may not be illegal to have lights, antennas, spotlights, etc on a retired police car, EVERYONE knows the intent is to imitate a police vehicle for one reason or another, most of which has to do with the sense of percieved power.
IOTW, I see someone with a badge that says ANYTHING other than 'police' or 'sheriff' on it, and I'm shaking my head saying 'what a F#%(&ing retard' under my breath (apologies to those who are physically/mentally handicapped).
In WA, for example, it's pretty clear.
RCW 9A.60.045
Criminal impersonation in the second degree.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree if the person:
(a)(i) Claims to be a law enforcement officer or creates an impression that he or she is a law enforcement officer; and
(ii) Under circumstances not amounting to criminal impersonation in the first degree, does an act with intent to convey the impression that he or she is acting in an official capacity and a reasonable person would believe the person is a law enforcement officer; or
(b) Falsely assumes the identity of a veteran or active duty member of the armed forces of the United States with intent to defraud for the purpose of personal gain or to facilitate any unlawful activity.
(2) Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
If you're attempting to get someone to think you're an officer, it's a crime.
Other states require a badge, insignia, hat, patch etc. OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF, a 'lookalike' badge definitely falls into that category.
Here's some stuff that's funny, but quite scary and sad at the same time...
http://www.policeposers.com/album/main.php
