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Open carry badge?

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Darth AkSarBen

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RTM Fennville, Michigan, USA
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Why couldn't a badge be made that could clip on to your belt next to your handgun that had the Michigan Open Carry emblem on it?


I know when I had mygun in my holster and my Sheriff's Officebadge, there was little worry from thecitizens about my weapon. Perhaps few would actually read the lettering, but feel a bit relieved that it was a "badge". And to those that did inquire, have a small pamphlet ready to give to them to explaining, briefly, our position and rights.

It could be anice looking badge with gold background around the blue, and would not define it as associatedwith any law enforcement entity. It would be a volunteer thing and would be sold to those members of the Michigan Open Carry Organization.


 
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azebolsky

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Marshall, Michigan, USA
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The biggest problem you run into with badges being custom made is fiduciary security. Badges on average, custom made to order, run around $200 for a regular rhodium plate shield. Having been the sec./treas. for the Marshall City Firefighters Association, we started buying badges for our retirees this last year and were looking at Blackinton badges for roughly $190 a piece. If you were to step back and take a premade badge, you can find them for roughly $25-$65 a piece. Now add in a badge holder, because nobody really wants a badge pinned to their shirt.:lol: I'd say contact Galls, Blackinton Badges, or another retail source to have a badge made, but it's not going to be something that is cheap, nor can be done in an expediant amount of time.

*S*
 
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Darth AkSarBen

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Sound likte it is out of reason for expense then. Plus I was not sure of the statutes regarding impersonating an officer in this state. Been a while since I had a clip on badge, but was wondering of the possibilities. Making enough to warrant setup and run time may be the biggest concern, plus the necessity to make sure it does NOT look like any Law agency.
 
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azebolsky

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dougwg wrote:
I think this could open the carrier up to charges of officer impersonation.

That is not a fine line that I wish to walk.
Click to expand...
Technically, the charge can be levelled, however it won't stand up in court. It's the same principal as the "CCW" badges, "Security Officer" badges, and the like. You can have a badge made to say anything you want, as long as you are what the badge says you are.

Coming from a fire department with badges, and a security company with badges, I've had 2, and was told as long as I hold whatever title they announced me as, I'm in the clear on them.

*S*
 
DanM

DanM

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Michigan statutes do prohibit unauthorized persons from wearing badges of specific agencies and "facsimiles" or that lead people to believe you are police, security, EMS, fire, etc. personnel. Technically, it seems if a badge's design and wording on the badge doesn't violate that, then it is legal. However, the determination of whether you have a "facsimile" or could have reasonably led people to believe you were something you are not, intentionally or unintentionally, would be up to a prosecutor and/or a jury to decide.

Also, my understanding of one of the philosophies of the civilian open carry movement is to "desensitize" people to thelawfulcarry of a holstered handgun by mere citizens. The effort is to make folks easy about seeing other folks with holstered guns, not holstered guns AND a badge. People are already easy about seeing someone with a holstered gun and a badge on their belt . . . they assume it is law-enforcement.

I don't know about you, but for the above reasons I think the badge idea isn't a good idea for a regular citizen involved in the open carry movement.
 
Venator

Venator

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Lansing area, Michigan, USA
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DanM wrote:
Also, my understanding of one of the philosophies of the civilian open carry movement is to "desensitize" people to thelawfulcarry of a holstered handgun by mere citizens. The effort is to make folks easy about seeing other folks with holstered guns, not holstered guns AND a badge. People are already easy about seeing someone with a holstered gun and a badge on their belt . . . they assume it is law-enforcement.

I don't know about you, but for the above reasons I think the badge idea isn't a good idea for a regular citizen involved in the open carry movement.
Click to expand...
Excellent point. ++1.
 
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warlockmatized

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Silverwood, Michigan
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I have seen "concealed" badges on several different holster/accessories sites. I think the "intention" of the badge was a good idea, however feel they are very cosmetically misleading. As such i would never purchase/wear/display one.
 
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Article1section23

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Jun 24, 2006
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Darth,

If somebody did do it, I think you are right, nobody would say much, proably not even other leo's, unless you stopped to talk to them
 
Tucker6900

Tucker6900

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Iowa, USA
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Doug Huffman wrote:
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns and the truth. NRA KMA$$
Click to expand...
What does this have to do with a CPL/MOC badge?
 
Tucker6900

Tucker6900

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