The #1 Reason Why A CCW Badge ISN'T Just For Tacti-Cool Dorks

Ladies LOVE a man with a badge! So, why not clip a shiny Concealed Carry Badge to the inside of your chain wallet and watch as you become the hottest thing in the checkout line as you reach for your credit card, right?

Sorry, but it doesn't quite work like that.

It's a common callout to people who carry CCW badges, to be seen as basement-dwelling dorks and wannabes who feel a badge makes them soooo "tacti-cool" that they'll be the envy of all around them.

But wait a minute...

Could there possibly be a LEGITIMATE reason to actually go against the stigma, and actually carry a CCW badge on your person?

If you're one of those people who'll only take the popular side, and disregard the opposing view, then I challenge you to rethink your stance, and take a look at why you probably should carry a badge, if you're a concealed carry handgun owner.

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TIMECODES:
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Reasons Not To Have A Badge...
2:43 - 1 Reason To Reconsider
3:38 - My Challenge To You...
4:37 - Outro
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[Warrior]

Hoooboy... I can't WAIT to see the comments on this one! :-) But before you do, watch the video and come back with the same regurgitated gun store "badges are for wannabes" slop. I love a good debate and there are solid arguments FOR and AGAINST carrying a concealed carry badge. Bring it warriors!

[TackticalChaos]

I am an ex Leo in SC. I have and carry my weapon at all times and I also carry a CWP badge on my person. Now I am black also mind you. Still proficient in all my weapons and tactics yet I know the streets and I understand the mentality of officers responding to a shooting. With that being said I would rather have my CWP badge showing when they pull up. Because that will slow an officer down and de escalate his encounter with me personally to the point we can communicate efficiently without conflict. I can answer any questions while showing my hands and let him and other's around me see that I am not the threat. Because at the end of the day everyone should go home to their families with the exception of the true threat.

[charleshanna]

If a CCW individual choses to carry one for the reasons that you gave
It would best be carried out of sight reserved for such an active shooter or similar incident as you described
And no one should be aware that they have it
Letting it be known that you are carrying one of these badges would be a invitation for some antigunner to make a false police report on you for impersonating a police officer
It could be a two edged sword

[smithjones]

Not for or against, but if someone chooses to own a CC badge it would be best to keep it like your weapon--concealed until needed.

[captainkip]

I have had one for several years. Its like I tell everyone, your not a cop (and frankly there isn't enough money to get me to do that job) if you see an armed robbery in progress you dial 911.

However, if you're unlucky enough to be in an active shooter situation and you find yourself with no other choice orher than to pull your weapon and shoot. In that case, I wouldn't want to be shot because someone though I was the actove shooter. I wear it under my shirt on a chain. I pray every day that I will never need to pull my weapon and if I never pull the weapon I will never pull out ths badge. So no one knows I even have it.

[SenorJuan]

"Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!" some humor into the debate. I can see the logic on both sides.

[kevinbarry]

I carry mine on a chain under my shirt. The only reason it would be out is I have exercised my second amendment right, and when the local constabulary shows up I don't want to be like the guy that shot the guy who just killed a LEO, or the guy in Denver who just shot a nude man strangling his son and didn't have time to put in his hearing aids and when local PD showed up and he seen there flash light to his left he turned towards them and was promptly shot and killed( add Amy Winehouse music with the new lyrics "I don't want to go to the morgue no no no)

[BigJDinSC]

I own a CCW badge that I keep on a lanyard in my EDC bag (a.k.a man-purse)...and it has yet to see the light of day (I've had it for years).

The ONLY reason I have it is in the unlikely scenario that I'm involved in a sketchy self-defense or active shooter incident (and I have time to put it on), it may give another good-guy-with-a-gun pause before trying to send me to Jesus. Who knows? It might have saved Johnny Hurley's life if he was wearing one.

[baronedipiemonte]

Speaking professionally, I would suggest that if someone was to carry a CCW/2nd Amd "badge" that 1) it does NOT resemble the shield of the law enforcement agency (s) in whose jurisdictions you are likely to be in. There are several "stock" (pre made) CCW/2nd A badges for under $30. If those are like what the local leo's wear, pay for a custom one $50 and higher that doesn't remotely resemble theirs. 2) that it not be deployed/displayed until AFTER having fired, and prior to leo's arrival on scene. When calling 911 it would be a good idea to give them your description and that you have a ccw badge on display around the neck. The point being is to be seen by the leo's as the "good guy". If possible, have your sidearm holstered, or not in your hand when they arrive. And when they do, expect the leo's to draw down on you and to comply with all of their commands. I also suggest that people join the USCCA which is like the AAA (emergency road service) of people who have CCW permits, and provide assistance to it's members when they've had to discharge their sidearm. It's best to cooperate, but without saying too much until you have had a chance to speak with an attorney. You don't have to be arrested in order to invoke your right to counsel.

[davidtelliho]

my first impression, a ccw badge is just another cowboy stunt. Then there is the possibility of not being recognized as a 'good' guy, and becoming a victim. Having one may not be so bad an idea, afterall. If I did, I`d keep that puppy concealed until needed. Hopefully, never.

[KOSR]

We just had a good Samaritan shot and killed by responding officers after stopping an active shooter in Arvada, Colorado. I a piece of jewelry could've saved him, I'm all for it R.I.P. Johnny Hurley.

[davedeiler]

Your arguments for and against having a CCW badge are compelling. What I do know is this. The only way to make sure you never need something, ub thus case a gun or a badge, is to always have it with you.

[william.maclennan]

Dear Warrior,
You made some really good points on both sides. Honestly as you stated I believe it is a individual case by case example.

[dwebb]

If even a tiny bit of your good guy ego thinks "wouldn't that be cool" ... STOP - STEP AWAY FROM THE BADGE!

1. Know the law in your local jurisdictions and state, so you know in advance exactly how much hassle/jail time you're willing to accept should you (intentionally or otherwise) allow the wrong person to see it in your possession.
2. After you spend $75-$80 on a LEO style badge, have another $20-$40 to invest in a quality neck chain/badge holder combo with a flap that covers the badge unless you intentionally uncover that badge.
3. Don't forget that displaying your badge increases your response time and complicates handling of firearms/other accessories.
4. Remember that even having such a badge is no guarantee that it won't be overlooked if you have a gun in your hand anywhere around an incident. To arriving officers, YOU are an armed threat.
5. Don't underestimate mob hostility should you think it a good idea to use it to "get the crowd off you". There's a reason individual officers seldom take on groups of hostiles.
6. Don't underestimate the huge legal downside for a Prosecuting Attorney to make you their own personal project if you're engaged in an incident of violence with such a badge in your possession.
7. Don't underestimate the huge potential financial costs of you trying to assert your legal rights (arbitrary at best) to have had such a badge in your possession while being engaged in an incident of violence.

On my personal cost/benefit scale, not enough benefits to spend the money, endure the carry hassles, and run the extra risks. With all due respect to Johnny Hurley (my prayers for him, his friends, and all who knew him to be a remarkable and courageous man), he made mistakes that such a badge likely wouldn't have solved.

The best part of this discussion is stimulating a thorough and honest review of your personal tactics, training, capabilities, and limitations before you make any decision to engage in potential use of force situations. You have to decide for you - everything else is just a difference of opinion. Remember, our current legal system is neither your friend nor your protector.

[gregorypitts]

I’m an instructor, I don’t think I could recommend having a badge. I would agree it could save your life in the right circumstances, but; there is the rub. For it to do it’s job it must be displayed correctly and at the correct time in a chaotic sequence of events. For that to happen you must practice those events and have the thinking down cold. Frankly I can’t even get people I train to practice the events that should occur in any gunfight, in which this would be one more step.

Also there’s the temptation to use it as a symbol you’re a LEO, even if unintentional. Most DAs will jump all over that I think and spin you into saying you were impersonating a LEO even if you weren’t.

For me, and what I teach is to wear a distinctive bit of clothing, particularly on your shooting hand side. I like a red parachord bracelet. I teach to give that info to 911. Will it get communicated? Will the responding officer remember or notice in the chaos? Who knows but it is as good a bet as the badge in my opinion and in bluer judicial systems might keep you outta jail.

[rlcarbo]

A few years back, I saw a website that sold clothing that can deploy a label indicating you are a legally armed civilian … or something like that.

If I recall the details correctly, there was a shirt that had chest pocket in which the wearer could pulled down and would then display something like CCL or CCW. There was also a baseball style cap that did the same or similar.

If I recall, this company was out of Israel. Which makes sense because, I believe there are many Jewish Israelis private citizens that are armed because of terrorist threats. This may be a solution they came up with to distinguish a defensive shooter from a terrorist. I don’t know how that works if a terrorist wore one of these articles of clothing. I suppose their actions would help delineate that distinction.

I guess the shirt or cap thing is better than nothing. I think it’s better than a badge. There so much potential for misuse of a badge; but, I can’t think of a misuse of clothing labels.

[arthurleslie]

As one who has carried both a City Police Badge and a Deputy Sheriff's badge, I definitely have my own personal opinion. However, I'm sure you could probably find LEO's that disagree with it. And rightly so since it's just opinions.

Bottom line ... It's a free country and unless there's a law against it, one is free to make their own decision whether to carry one or not. As I've always told my son. We live or die by the decisions we make. Good or Bad.

Just an old farts two cents. :)

[Archimedes]

I carry concealed and wouldn't have a badge even if it was given to me. However, one video I watched presented an interesting instance in which a badge turned out to be a real asset. Because of some disability that hindered his access to a concealed weapon, a disabled man opted for open carry but had the police called on him multiple times. Someone in the police department suggested that he get a badge and wear it on his belt right next to his gun--and when he took that advice, there were no more calls to the police about him.

BTW, I love the thumbnail for this video.

[brianthomas]

This is an EXCELLENT idea, but ONLY for those who are MATURE enough to carry it wisely. Anyone else should NOT even THINK about owning a handgun, let alone carry a concealed weapon. How can I get one?

[KT_survival]

Like you described, there is a time and a place for this badge. If someone is wearing it just to look cool or just to look like a cop with no good reason - this is simply stupid. In the moment you described - it may be beneficial. But there is also a danger of wearing this badge - what if a drug dealer or other criminal takes you as a law enforcement? What if a thief freaks out and does something stupid? There is no simple answer if this badge is good or bad.