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Am I the only one aggrivated with the CCDW Badges?

hotrod

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
569
Location
Union, Kentucky, USA
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.

I don't care who you are, that's funny!
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
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?

.... Anyone have any other ideas that could alert responding officers to your situation and that you are not the bad guy?

Let's see. You have found cover. The BG is not moving to flank you, but remaining where he found cover. Why do you need/want to continuing to fire, especially when your target is already behind cover which by definition means your shooting at him will not have any meaningful effect?

The cops are on the way.

The BG remains behind cover, as opposed to running away. The BG even keeps shooting at where you are behind cover,, which by definition means his shooting would only present a danger if you left said cover.

The cops are on the way.

Here's an idea - remain behind cover and scan for any possible threat from the BG flanking you. When the cops arrive on scene put your blaster on the ground far away from you and lay down behind your cover with your arms and legs outstretched. Yell at them you have put the blaster on the ground. Let the cops cuff and stuff you and begin the process of sorting out what happened and who did what.

If the BG continued shooting after the cops arrived they are probably going to concentrate more on him than you - at least once you are cuffed and securely in ther back seat of a cruiser.

Why folks think there is any reason to stage the Second Battle of The Alamo escapes me. Why waste ammo shooting at the BG's cover unless your ammo goes through it, in which case it is not cover to begin with. Find a safe place to be and work on keeping safe. If te cops are not already on the way, do something to get them on the way. If possible, tell the cops you are the guy in the white hat and where they can locate the BG so they can concentrate on him.

Sheesh!

stay safe.
 

PistolPackingMomma

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
1,884
Location
SC
The ONLY advantage or purpose I can see to the badges is if you desire the deterrent factor of OCing, but live in a CC only state. Some badge wearers might feel that a bad guy might mistake them for a cop and leave them alone?

Personally, I despise the badges, not because of the "imitating LEO" factor, but because "We don't need no stinkin' badges!". If I had it my way, the entire permit system would have been abolished yesterday. *Shrug* Just me. YMMV.
 

MSG Laigaie

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
3,239
Location
Philipsburg, Montana
What typical thug is gunna want to hang around and get into a 'prolonged' gun battle?

No, I will not wear this piece of jewelry. I just do not see prolonged firefights in an urban/suburban environment. I do not do long range engagements w/pistol. Most(not all) firefights start at conversational distances. If you are close enough to hear my voice, you are close enough for me to eliminate the threat.
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
well as my original post says I do not agree with them at all, although i did give a glimmer of respect to the idea of keeping it concealed in case of the 1:1,000,000 chance that it would come in handy in the given situation. But regardless I think they are still used by people who want to appear to be LEO, want attention, or just ... (insert other reasons).. they will still aggrivate me. Maybe we should make badges like this with other random things on them.. "I have Hemorrhoids" or "Drivers License"..
 
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garyh9900

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
155
Location
KY
well as my original post says I do not agree with them at all, although i did give a glimmer of respect to the idea of keeping it concealed in case of the 1:1,000,000 chance that it would come in handy in the given situation. But regardless I think they are still used by people who want to appear to be LEO, want attention, or just ... (insert other reasons).. they will still aggrivate me. Maybe we should make badges like this with other random things on them.. "I have Hemorrhoids" or "Drivers License"..

You can make a badge saying just about anything your want.
 

self preservation

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2012
Messages
1,036
Location
Owingsville,KY
I hate to jump off subject but since we are talking about CCDW (sorta) I do have a question. I took my class May 6th and still haven't received my paperwork stating that I passed the class yet. Should I have gotten this by now or is this a normal time frame to wait? As far as these badges....I have never seen one but it doesnt make much sense to wear them 24/7 if you CC. Kinds defeats the purpose. I know that you see more Firefighters/EMS now a days wear polo or t-shirts instead of the button up shirt with the shiney badge on it. Reason being...we were being mistaken for LEO to much. I'm sure that these badges could have their place but no doubt you will be viewed as LEO if you wear them open.
 

garyh9900

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
155
Location
KY
For some reason I would want a "scratched my rear" badge. Just so I can make nosey people feel stupid.

You got it.

vsdv1c.jpg
 

09jisaac

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2011
Messages
1,692
Location
Louisa, Kentucky
I took my class February 4th, received my certificate in the mail on March 1st, turned my information in to the sheriff department March 2nd, my CCDW paper came in the mail May 17th saying I could pick my permit up 19th and I got the actual permit on the 18th.

That may give you a rough estimate.
 

kywildcat581

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
107
Location
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
garyh99... good find, you have just earned cool points with me LOL..

but.. not paying that amount of money to be funny lol... hey, we can all order badges that just say Open Carry, Its legal!, or "im not a cop"
 
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Acuzio

Regular Member
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
59
Location
Royalton, KY
Nicely done Gary, as for your idea wildcat that would be kinda funny, find a place to buy up a pile cheap and pass them out at an OC event to anyone OCing.
 

neuroblades

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
1,240
Location
, Kentucky, USA
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.

Well, I base my decision on carrying cuffs from training and insight via Mossad Ayoob when I worked in Florida. Trust me, if carrying the gun doesn't lead them to try to paint someone as a wanna be cop or vigilante, then I'm definitely sure that the addition of cuffs to the EDC isn't going to do it. Plus the added benefit of having them is worth more if you get pulled into court that the assumptions of a DA.

The cuffs are for those times when you are confronted with a bad guy and have to draw on them and they surrender. Once they surrender you DO NOT shoot them and it would too risky to not have them restrained and it would be even more risky (my POV) to have to hold them at gunpoint for LEO's .
 

neuroblades

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
1,240
Location
, Kentucky, USA
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?

Your scenario is the exact and ONLY reason I'd have one of those badge's and deploying it ONLY when in a situation such as this would be the only time to "flash" it. I DO NOT AGREE with these folks that buy them and then wear them openly, that is just asking for trouble and creates a bad impression of the rest of us that have worked to get our CCDW's and then have worked hard beyond that to train ourselves in the correct execution of self defense.

Beyond having/using one of these badge's I can't think of any other way to alert LEO's as to who we are. Someone here said that they were worthless because what good did they (the badge's) do beyond our CCDW's. Well, they can definitely keep you from getting shot! Trust me, in a scenario such as this one, chances are LEO's will not be close enough to see a little card in a wallet, lying on the floor. Even though we might not like and might make fun of these badge's, they can serve a good purpose but only it used correctly.
 

ManInBlack

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
1,551
Location
SW Idaho
Well, I base my decision on carrying cuffs from training and insight via Mossad Ayoob when I worked in Florida. Trust me, if carrying the gun doesn't lead them to try to paint someone as a wanna be cop or vigilante, then I'm definitely sure that the addition of cuffs to the EDC isn't going to do it. Plus the added benefit of having them is worth more if you get pulled into court that the assumptions of a DA.

Millions of folks legally carry defensive firearms. That is totally normal and expected in many parts of the country nowadays. What percentage do you think also carry cuffs? 0.05%? Maybe?

In fact, I'd wager that out of the general public, the largest group of people carrying handcuffs out and about are the creepazoids who also keep a red flasher in their cars and try to pull over pretty young women in deserted areas, not legal carriers.

I don't think the cuffs will play out as innocuously as you believe. Carrying them around, unless for work, is going to scream "kook" to most people.

The cuffs are for those times when you are confronted with a bad guy and have to draw on them and they surrender. Once they surrender you DO NOT shoot them and it would too risky to not have them restrained and it would be even more risky (my POV) to have to hold them at gunpoint for LEO's .

So, if someone is dangerous enough for you to draw down on him, how risky do you think it will be trying to cuff him, while maintaining control of your weapon, by yourself?

By all means, carry them if you want to. I just think, without backup, they're useless weight, at best.
 
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neuroblades

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
1,240
Location
, Kentucky, USA
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.

I have to agree with you on this, given the chance and opportunity, the average bad guy will flee ASAP! But there's something that you're overlooking here. In Kentucky there are well over 80,000 CCDW's issued at the current time, take into account that at any given time there are well over 2 or more CC'ers in any large mall. If for whatever reason a bad guy initiates a fire fight and 2 CC'ers have the active shooter pinned down, that individual will hunker down and try to work their way out as they can. But if the active shooter is being kept down by the CC'ers, then there's a very good chance the the police would arrive before the active shooter could escape. It is in this kind of situation that being able to ID yourself as a good guy would be well worth the price.

With all that being said, this is just running scenario's or theories untill it actually happens. It is by running scenario's that we can examine different approaches to an issue and work out possible kinks before we make them. Running these scenario's is no different that going to the range and practicing.

We could sit here all night thinking about this or that but to no avail. To really understand how something like this might go down, you have to first understand the differences in bad guys and what motivates each and that alone could take hours of conversation.
 

flb_78

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Messages
544
Location
Gravel Switch, KY
I think carrying cuffs is a bad idea.

Do you have any training on using them while holding someone down? Do you have training in fighting incase the person you're trying to cuff decides to not just lie there? Do you have training in retaining your sidearm while in hand to hand combat with someone who has decided that you're not cuffing them?

Me, if I have to draw my gun on someone, I think I'll just use my gun to hold them in place.
 
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