I thought this was a joke...

[lrb111]

A chl badge makes as much sense as a "secret agent" badge.

[Stupid]

Pardon me for my stupidity, what's the harm do this cause if I do carry the CHL badge concealed? Only to reveal it in situation that is to identify I am not a bad guy.

[DSARGE]

I got a tin star that says "Sherriff--Boot Hill". I used to wear it when I wore my dual pearl handled cap pistols. I never got busted by the cops for impersonating. Got me a free coke everytime I went to the grain elevator. Gave it up I got a go-cart and a "Cale Yarbrough Hardee's racing suit.

[Supercat]

I am in complete agreement with Ted Nugent!!!

Go to Washington DC, you will fin my badge in te 2nd amendment of the US Constitution.

[carlson1]

"Readily identify yourself to Law Enforcement officers when needed with your Texas State Concealed Weapon Permit Badge."
And either get shot, or arrested for impersonating (I figure the attempt is enough to get you into some trouble you don't ever want!)

I AM PERSONALLY AGAINST A CHL BADGE! To me it is an attitude of the many "wanta be police" in the world. BUT, with that said and Stevie d's statement above I don't think go together. As llwatson said that Utah has a LAW AGAINST IT - I don't find this in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures. There is more to "impersonating a peace officer" than being in possession of a badge. The badge does not say PEACE OFFICER, POLICE OFFICER, NARCOTICS it says just what the knot head carrying it is a Concealed Handgun Licensee. So if one of you LAW DOGS could post the law on impersonation with the "intent" I would like to read it because I can't find it. I know what common sense says, but the reason this issue keeps coming up and the badges sale (it is obvious they do they keep making them) is because people do not have common sense.

I wanted to add: This is not anything like the guy wearing the black hat that has POLICE on the front. They sell them, People buy them, People wear them, and are never arrested. The best I remember (as I now have an 80 year old mind trapped in my 20 year old body) there is something more to impersonating than just possession. AND THIS BADGE as silly as it is says "Concealed Carry."

CALLING FOR ALL INTELLIGENT PEOPLE: Stroo; TXi; Mr. Cotton, srothstein, KBC, etc. . . I know someone will be hurt that I did not type your name you are "ETC." I just want a answer instead of our opinion.

[jimlongley]

IANAL nor am I an expert on this by any means, but this would seem to me to be the relevant section of the law.

Problems with the statute include the "insignia of a law enforcement agency" and the "decorative purposes" clauses.

Maybe this is legal in TX after all, but I am not sure I would want to be this test case either.

Sec. 37.12. FALSE IDENTIFICATION AS PEACE OFFICER; MISREPRESENTATION OF PROPERTY. (a) A person commits an offense if:
(1) the person makes, provides to another person, or possesses a card, document, badge, insignia, shoulder emblem, or other item bearing an insignia of a law enforcement agency that identifies a person as a peace officer or a reserve law enforcement officer; and
(2) the person who makes, provides, or possesses the item bearing the insignia knows that the person so identified by the item is not commissioned as a peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer as indicated on the item.
(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:
(1) the card, document, badge, insignia, shoulder emblem, or other item bearing an insignia of a law enforcement agency clearly identifies the person as an honorary or junior peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer, or as a member of a junior posse;
(2) the person identified as a peace officer or reserve law enforcement officer by the item bearing the insignia was commissioned in that capacity when the item was made; or
(3) the item was used or intended for use exclusively for decorative purposes or in an artistic or dramatic presentation.
(c) In this section, "reserve law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as is given that term in Section 415.001, Government Code.
(d) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly misrepresents an object as property belonging to a law enforcement agency.
(e) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

A bunch of years ago I was cleaning up in a house I had just sold and a city building inspector banged on the door and shoved in, displaying a badge. He then told me that he was not going to allow me to sell the house (it was already sold) due to some code infraction (a whole 'nother story) and I told him he was under arrest for impersonating an officer, whereupon he left in a huff.

In NY state, where this took place, the display of a badge by anyone other than a LEO was considered, under the penal code, to be impersonating an officer, including people routinely issued badges, such as firemen, EMTs, and city officials.

[Crossfire]

Badges, badgers... it's all the same, right?

Yeah, right up until you try to clip a badger on your belt.

Now that's just funny - I don't care who ya are!

[Sangiovese]

Pardon me for my stupidity, what's the harm do this cause if I do carry the CHL badge concealed? Only to reveal it in situation that is to identify I am not a bad guy.

The problem is that revealing the badge does not "identify that you are not a bad guy."

The crooks can buy them too.

You can show your Concealed Handgun License just as easily as you can show that badge... and the bad guys can't buy a CHL.

So basically, the problems with the badge are:
1. It doesn't prove you are a good guy.
2. It can be interpreted as trying to impersonate an officer.
3. It can "blow your cover" and identify you as a priority target if it is exposed.

It serves no useful purpose - and it has both real and perceptual negatives.

[blueskies7890]

So basically, the problems with the badge are:
1. It doesn't prove you are a good guy.
2. It can be interpreted as trying to impersonate an officer.
3. It can "blow your cover" and identify you as a priority target if it is exposed.

Ah, you forgot another very important reason...

4. http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

[Commander]

+1

[srothstein]

Carl,

Glad to be of assistance.

The previously referenced section is one possibility, but the badge does not fit it since it does not purport to be a law enforcement badge, any more than the American Tax Payer badge being sold.

But there is a section of law that could be applied. It requires that anyone misrepresent himself as a peace officer with the intent to get someone else to obey them or do something for them (submit to their authority). Flashing a badge and saying everything is okay COULD be all it takes to get arrested, if a peace officer wants to try it. I don't see it happening to much, but I really don't see why anyone would want to carry this type of badge either. I don't think most CHL's want to be or play police, just protect themselves.

And the ones who do want to play police will commit other crimes to make it easy for us to arrest them.

37.11. IMPERSONATING PUBLIC SERVANT. (a) A person
commits an offense if he:
(1) impersonates a public servant with intent to
induce another to submit to his pretended official authority or to
rely on his pretended official acts; or
(2) knowingly purports to exercise any function of a
public servant or of a public office, including that of a judge and
court, and the position or office through which he purports to
exercise a function of a public servant or public office has no
lawful existence under the constitution or laws of this state or of
the United States.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree.

[carlson1]

And the ones who do want to play police will commit other crimes to make it easy for us to arrest them.

I believe you hit this one right on. To me someone who would carry this would be one with the attitude of the wanta be.

Thanks for the help. It has been awhile and all I could remember was something to do with "intent." Thanks for the help.

[Dougmyers5]

This is no different then wearing star conchos on a belt or hat.

https://ssl.maxsell.com/ProductDetails. ... 2035&sm=14



And it doesnt mean a thing to law enforcement its a decorative key-fobs.

[carlson1]

It is unbelievable some of the things created. You can always spot a rookie. He is the one with the Police hat on or the police shirt. Advertising what he is. The old timer is plain clothes setting in the back of the restaurant with his back to the wall. Sound familiar LEO's?

[phddan]

The way I see it, it is a novelty item. Same as a gun lighter. I wouldn't take either one out in public.

Dan