• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Am I the only one aggrivated with the CCDW Badges?

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
A while back I seen someone, and a couple more since then, wearing the Concealed Deadly Weapon's badge on a chain around their neck. What is the point? First off this will give the instant impression to the non aware citizen or BG that you are a LEO, and why conceal a weapon if you want to advertise you are packing with a sign around your neck? It seems like it would be a money saver to not buy the badge and just carry openly. Something tells me these are the same people that try to make themselves look like cops 24 hours a day. Maybe I am venting a little too hardcore, but to have people walking around CC while wearing a badge that tells people they are carrying is pointless. Hopefully I am not offending someone on this thread and maybe someone can bring some sense to the angle I am seeing it in. Sorry again if I am sending offense to someone here, but please help me understand..... why? I really want to see both sides of this and I am trying hard to be open minded. Feel free to chime in!
 
Last edited:

09jisaac

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2011
Messages
1,692
Location
Louisa, Kentucky
Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it should be illegal. Wearing something typically reserved for law enforcement does not constitute "impersonating a peace officer".

Firearms are typically worn by law enforcement, surely you do not think that should be illegal too?

This badge isn't hurting anyone, it should be allowed to be worn.
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
okay, i will retract my comment on the illegal part, you make a good point, but... I don't understand why.. concealing a weapon then wearing a sign that you have a weapon... BTW i love your signature LOL my grandpa used to tell me all the time, let someone try to beat me up, ill bleed all over them... that or, i promise i can run faster scared than you can mad!
 
Last edited:

garyh9900

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
155
Location
KY
I personally believe they are a bad idea. I believe the majority of people who use/wear such a badge do it for the purpose of trying to appear as an LEO. They are pretty much a useless item. The only thing that legally identifies you as a ccdw licensee is the license itself.
 

09jisaac

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2011
Messages
1,692
Location
Louisa, Kentucky
I think we can all agree on the stupidity of the badges. They make very little sense as a wearable item. The only two ways I can see it being appropriate to wear them would be

1. Have it concealed by your firearm, if you accidently "flash" your weapon most people will assume you are LEO and not call the police.

2. If you do get into a shooting or there is an active shooter you can display this so as you are not gunned down by a overly excited responder.
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Maybe, i do know I have read some stories here in the forum regarding over excited responders shooting the wrong guy. I think the latest one I read was in new york, cop on cop friendly fire. Sadly it does happen.
 

XD4ME

Regular Member
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
25
Location
Maine
Wonder if they have "Police informant" badges .

Never understood the reason for a CCW badge . They hold no weight in regards to the law since anyone can buy one .
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Police informant badges... hmm interesting lol

Yeah I know they dont hold any regards against the law, they sell them at my local smoke shop like the novelty item it is. May as well wear a shirt that says "I am carrying a handgun, but I hide it so no one knows I have it."
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
i like the "Gun Control is using both hands" shirt.. would like to have one...

but I doubt I would wear a shirt that just says " I am carrying" lol

I do have one that says .. "I got a gun for my wife... good trade" - the wife just looked at me weird
 

neuroblades

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
1,240
Location
, Kentucky, USA
There's been ALOT of negative press about the CCDW badges ever since they were first produced. LEO's of course don't like them but I could personally care less about that POV myself. Whiel I do not own or carry one of the CCDW badges and I would have to generally agree with the standard train of thought about them, I do see a major positive with having one either hidden on your person at all times or having one that you can very quickly deploy. I say that because, as someone here mentioned, if you are ever in a shooting situation, especially and active shooter situation, I'd personally rather take my chances of being mis-identified as a LEO by responding LEO who might only see me with my sidearm drawn and not see the actual "bad guy". Though alot of well-known and well respected gun folks frown upon carrying one, I'd rather take my chances and having to explain to a LEO or even a judge, why I was carrying one and had it deployed at the time.

One thing I do carry for both defensive reasons and for legal reasons, a pair of real handcuffs! They provide me with a way to restrain a bad guy as opposed to having to hold them at bay with my sidearm untill LEO's arrive on scene. Assitionally, IF I have to shoot the bad guy because he would not surrender his weapon and stay down, when the case goes to court, my attorney would have alot more proof of my intentions to make all possible efforts to apprehend the bad guy over having to shoot and possibly kill him. Bt virtue of the cuffs being in my possession, it would show that I had made other efforts to try to provent having to take a life.
 

rob31567

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Messages
51
Location
A, A
There's been ALOT of negative press about the CCDW badges ever since they were first produced. LEO's of course don't like them but I could personally care less about that POV myself. Whiel I do not own or carry one of the CCDW badges and I would have to generally agree with the standard train of thought about them, I do see a major positive with having one either hidden on your person at all times or having one that you can very quickly deploy. I say that because, as someone here mentioned, if you are ever in a shooting situation, especially and active shooter situation, I'd personally rather take my chances of being mis-identified as a LEO by responding LEO who might only see me with my sidearm drawn and not see the actual "bad guy". Though alot of well-known and well respected gun folks frown upon carrying one, I'd rather take my chances and having to explain to a LEO or even a judge, why I was carrying one and had it deployed at the time.

One thing I do carry for both defensive reasons and for legal reasons, a pair of real handcuffs! They provide me with a way to restrain a bad guy as opposed to having to hold them at bay with my sidearm untill LEO's arrive on scene. Assitionally, IF I have to shoot the bad guy because he would not surrender his weapon and stay down, when the case goes to court, my attorney would have alot more proof of my intentions to make all possible efforts to apprehend the bad guy over having to shoot and possibly kill him. Bt virtue of the cuffs being in my possession, it would show that I had made other efforts to try to provent having to take a life.

In my own opinion, I'd have to agree with neuroblades about how it would keep the identification confusion between the good guys and LEO down. But after learning what was bought for me in anticipation of me getting my CCDW, I wouldnt hesitate in carrying this badge thats in a wallet that also holds your CCDW. You keep it in your back pocket, never being in the open and only pulled out unless it was totally necessary. Carrying hanging around your neck in the open is asking for more attention that you either need or deserve.
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
In my own opinion, I'd have to agree with neuroblades about how it would keep the identification confusion between the good guys and LEO down. But after learning what was bought for me in anticipation of me getting my CCDW, I wouldnt hesitate in carrying this badge thats in a wallet that also holds your CCDW. You keep it in your back pocket, never being in the open and only pulled out unless it was totally necessary. Carrying hanging around your neck in the open is asking for more attention that you either need or deserve.


First time I have actually agreed with someone who found a good use for the badge. Hidden and in a good spot IF you needed it! Nice work...
 

langzaiguy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
916
Location
Central KY
If you're in a position where an LEO could perhaps mistake you for a perpetrator, the last thing I would want to do is reach for my pocket. I see nothing additional that a "wanna be" badge would do that an actual, official, CCDW does.

Not a big fan of cuffs either. Either the danger is present or its not. While it may be of some benefit in a legal context, it could also be a liability. One could be painted as a "wanna be" cop or a vigilante by prosecution.
 

Mark 1911

Regular Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Munster, IN
1. Just because something is legal doesn't make it a good idea, the Obama administration is doing an excellent job of demonstrating that point. The concealed carry permit badge or whatever nonsense you want to call it is a really really bad idea, except for the guy pocketing the profit who has a totally different motive.
2. Why wear something that bears a resemblance to a police badge. We have the second amendment, there is no need for adult Americans to play make believe. Even if you dont care about irritating a police officer or getting hassled for impersonation, you might consider the impression or confusion they cause to the casual observer. If I were a cop, I wouldn't like it. I'm not a cop, and I still don't like it.
3. As a group of people who are trying to promote a more positive image of open carry, these do nothing but make us look like total idiots.
4. And what may also be a real concern, is the mentality of the individual who thinks wearing one of these is cool, and may actually start thinking that they actually have some sort of special authority or power which they absolutely do not have. Could be a disaster waiting to happen, and a real good person to give a wide berth to.
5. Your permit says all that needs to be said.
 
Last edited:

KYGlockster

Activist Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2010
Messages
1,842
Location
Ashland, KY
While we are on this subject I have a question. Here is the situation: you just had to use your self defense firearm to return fire on someone trying to do you serious harm or kill you. You missed with your first couple of rounds, and your opponent has found cover. The man who started this fire fight is now firing from behind cover, so you must continue to engage, because you are pinned down with nowhere to go, and nobody around. Someone heard the shots and alerted the police, and now every officer in the city is responding code 3. You are in a life and death situation and cannot see or hear anything that is not directly in front of your recoiling firearm. Officers arrive on scene and slowly come around the corner with weapons drawn to see you firing at another person. How in this world could you possibly make them see you are the good guy without something that shows them?

I too believe these badges are ignorant, and anyone that carries one so people believe they are an leo should go and apply at their local police department for a job. However, in a situation as stated above, if you had a shiny badge hanging around your neck on your back for all responding officers to see, it would almost certainly keep you from getting filled full of bullet holes. Anyone have any other ideas that could alert responding officers to your situation and that you are not the bad guy?
 

Mark 1911

Regular Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
94
Location
Munster, IN
While we are on this subject I have a question. Here is the situation: you just had to use your self defense firearm to return fire on someone trying to do you serious harm or kill you. You missed with your first couple of rounds, and your opponent has found cover. The man who started this fire fight is now firing from behind cover, so you must continue to engage, because you are pinned down with nowhere to go, and nobody around. Someone heard the shots and alerted the police, and now every officer in the city is responding code 3. You are in a life and death situation and cannot see or hear anything that is not directly in front of your recoiling firearm. Officers arrive on scene and slowly come around the corner with weapons drawn to see you firing at another person. How in this world could you possibly make them see you are the good guy without something that shows them?

I too believe these badges are ignorant, and anyone that carries one so people believe they are an leo should go and apply at their local police department for a job. However, in a situation as stated above, if you had a shiny badge hanging around your neck on your back for all responding officers to see, it would almost certainly keep you from getting filled full of bullet holes. Anyone have any other ideas that could alert responding officers to your situation and that you are not the bad guy?

In the unlikely event of the scenario you described, how likely is it that the police will notice the fake badge? How likely is it to impact their initial response in your favor? Once the police arrive, your role in the situation is over. Your response to the police showing up will likely be a lot different than the bad guy's repsonse. He stands to lose a lot, you stand to lose nothing. The police will take their cue from your behavior. Best to holster your weapon as soon as you can safely do so and let them do their job. The police "may" have received some description of the situation already from the dispatcher. I think the probability of the situation you describe is so small in comparison to the disadvantages that I would never even consider using one, and deal with the real life situations as the responsible law-abiding citizens that we are.
 
Last edited:

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation
What typical thug is gunna want to hang around and get into a 'prolonged' gun battle?

You'd think we were walking around in Bagdad the way folks talk about this or that scenario.
 

badey

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
86
Location
Pennsylvania
I found this on another forum and thought it was applicable. This, IMO is how most CCW badge holders view themselves


Many of you know me from a previous post as THE SHRUBBERY DEVIL. For years, I have kept my lonely vigil...wearing my GOLD-SHIELD CCW Badge as I enforced the law and assured morality in my community.

YES, the law officers of my little town occasionally snickered and pointed at me as i strolled down the street with my four concealed carry guns and five badges (see previous posts). But the laughter ended most abruptly during the waning days of summer.

Let me tell the story:

It was a sultry morning in late August when I decided to amble down to the local water park, Oceans Of Ecstacy. I yearned merely to frolic in the giant wave pool and unburden myself of the responsibility I bear as a holder of a Gold CCW badge. But, alas, it was not to be.

I was on top on Gusher Mountain when I saw them. Gusher Mountain is this tube that curves round and round like a crazy straw, you see. As it came my turn to enter the tube, I noticed about a dozen members of MS13 (my old nemesis) in line behind me...there machetes gleaming in the late summer sun. Another dozen waited below...in the very pool into which i would be ejected at the end of the ride. I WAS TRAPPED. TRAPPED, I SAY!

There was naught to do but enter the tube. The water sloshed about me as I sped towards my doom. What chance does an unarmed man have in a situation like this?

But alas, I was not unarmed. Ripping off my MuMu, I spread my ample legs wide, and brought my body to a stop in a watery curve by the friction of my hairy thighs. I was now NAKED! GLORIOUSLY NAKED! (and...for the benefit of the ladies...attractively naked at 5'8 and 345 pounds)

NAKED...except for my guns and CCW BADGES. I NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WIThout my guns. My primary carry piece is a Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in .480 Ruger. On my weak side is my trusty back up piece...a 500 S&W. On my right ankle is a Colt Combat Commader. On my left ankle, a .357 Colt Python. There is a CCW BADGE glued to each holster. All of them vacuum packed in plastic for my day at the water park. My main CCW GOLD SHIELD dangled from my neck.

(That is not all that dangled, for my manhood is a weapon of it's own. 'wink' to the ladies.)

With these weapons I awaited the knife-wielding thugs of MS13. IT WAS A BLOOD BATH! They came...they slid close to me...I dispatched them with my firearms.

Their lifeless bodies piled into a heap in the pool below, where the other members of MS13 awaited me. AND HERE I WAS, OUT OF AMMO! Out of ammo in my firearms...haha. But I always carry a speargun when i go to the waterpark.

Need I say what happened after that? I am here. Two dozen members of MS13 are not.

I was interviewed by the police for hours. Not as a suspect. They were interested in any tips I could offer them. Then I got back in my '78 Thunderbird and drove away. In the rearview mirror I noticed how the policemen admired the lightbar atop my T-Bird. It is a vintange police light-bar...with the letters CCW boldly stamped in front of the flashing strobes.

The police chief of my little town is trying to rig a spotlight that he can aim at the clouds to summon me to duty. Soon, I shall climb to my roof at night and look for the CCW SIGNAL that means I must answer the call.

THE SHRUBBERY DEVIL bids you a good night.
 
Top