Age old debate: LTC Badges

[TexasAggLTC]

Ok, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. I know a lot of people when talking about LTC Badges jump to the conclusion that you would be arrested for “impersonating a police officer”, but I don’t understand that logic if you have a badge that clearly says “Texas LTC License”, or something to that nature, and only verbally refer to it as a “Texas License to carry a handgun”.

If you never use the words “police” or “Law Enforcement” when speaking about your badge, gun, or self, how can you be impersonating a police officer?

I would understand if you had a badge that said “Police” or you were wearing a shirt that said “Police” or you verbally said “Police”....

[Grundy1133]

well your driver's license isn't a badge, why would a LTC be a badge...? At least that's the way I look at it.

[TexasAggLTC]

well your driver's license isn't a badge, why would a LTC be a badge...? At least that's the way I look at it.

I’m not talking about our actually licenses. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear. We keep our LTC licenses in our wallets...

I’m talking about having a visible badge on your belt next to your open carry firearm. Make sense?

[Pariah3j]

OP is talking about something like this:

[TexasAggLTC]

OP is talking about something like this:

Yes. Something like this.

How would that be “impersonating a police officer”? Again, this is only if you NEVER use the terms “Police” or “law enforcement” when referring to yourself.

[mojo84]

I don't think this debate will end up any differently than the age old debates have.

What are you trying to accomplish with a chl badge and what problem is it solving? Also, how serious do you think the general public and law enforcement would take someone wearing a chl badge that can be ordered from online or bought at a novelty shop?

If we decide it's a great idea, I'll order one that looks like a Texas Ranger badge.

[C-dub]

Because most people pay little attention to details. They will only see a shiny thing shaped like a badge and assume you are some kind of LEO. If they do look close enough to figure it out they’ll assume you’re some kind of wannabe. Kinda like those that wear a military uniform around that have never served.

[Grundy1133]

well your driver's license isn't a badge, why would a LTC be a badge...? At least that's the way I look at it.

I’m not talking about our actually licenses. I’m sorry if I didn’t make that clear. We keep our LTC licenses in our wallets...

I’m talking about having a visible badge on your belt next to your open carry firearm. Make sense?

i think someone would mistake you for a LEO.. which wouldn't be a good thing.

[carlson1]

OP is talking about something like this:

I don’t know if this is still law, but if I remember correctly around the mid 80’s or so I thought it was illegal for Security Companies to use the State Seal in their badges? Maybe someone might have more information or is that true now?

[mojo84]

I do not know how this turned out but it wasn't a good situation for anyone.


http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local ... 40236.html

[TexasAggLTC]

I do not know how this turned out but it wasn't a good situation for anyone.


http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local ... 40236.html

That was back in 2013 when it wasn’t legal to open carry. I don’t see how this relates to today at all.

[mojo84]

I do not know how this turned out but it wasn't a good situation for anyone.


http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local ... 40236.html

That was back in 2013 when it wasn’t legal to open carry. I don’t see how this relates to today at all.

It relates because the guy was accused of impersonating a leo. The same can happen today.

[AJSully421]

OP is talking about something like this:

I don’t know if this is still law, but if I remember correctly around the mid 80’s or so I thought it was illegal for Security Companies to use the State Seal in their badges? Maybe someone might have more information or is that true now?

Correct. Security Officers can’t have the State Seal on a uniform, badge, ID card, etc. and cannot say “Police”.

By the way, that is not the Texas Seal on that badge.

Our Security badges do say “Officer” on them... but so does our licenses, so it is allowed.

[Grundy1133]

I don't see the appeal of wanting a badge that says you're a LTC holder... It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist imo. If you OC and have the cops called on you just wait until the cops come and hand them your license... and then afterward decide if you wanna press charges against the people who held you there for unlawful detainment... personally I'd rather carry concealed anyway. I dont wanna traw attention to myself in case theres a BG scoping out the place looking for threats to take out first. (which is why when a BG starts shooting, usually people with guns (like LEOs) usually end up getting shot at first) but i digress. whether you OC or CC it's your call. personally tho I'll stick with concealed.

[allisji]

Ok, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. I know a lot of people when talking about LTC Badges jump to the conclusion that you would be arrested for “impersonating a police officer”, but I don’t understand that logic if you have a badge that clearly says “Texas LTC License”, or something to that nature, and only verbally refer to it as a “Texas License to carry a handgun”.

If you never use the words “police” or “Law Enforcement” when speaking about your badge, gun, or self, how can you be impersonating a police officer?

I would understand if you had a badge that said “Police” or you were wearing a shirt that said “Police” or you verbally said “Police”....

There are many other reasons why LTCers don't want a badge.

It seems that those who want a badge have settled on Open Carry as the reason why it would be a good idea. Ultimately the argument is that a badge would put the sheeple at ease when they see an openly carried handgun. Why? Because they correlate a badge to the Police.

I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure the badge argument has been around long before Open Carry was legal in Texas. I can only assume that the argument for a badge before Open Carry was legal is effectively the same argument for why Open Carry is effective. In lieu of an openly carried handgun, a badge would indicate that the bearer of the badge is carrying a concealed handgun, thus not an easy target and an effective crime deterrent.

I don't know the laws or court rulings regarding impersonating an LEO, but I would not want to be mistaken for an LEO in an emergency situation. I can think of other ways to indicate my status as an armed citizen if I were so inclined, such as wearing NRA apparel. Though at this point in time I choose to carry concealed and to not indicate my armed status