CHL Badge, whats the story behind the comments about it?

[numist]

I have a CHL badge made out of a throwing star as to improve my ability to destroy evil. I would post a picture but it is top secret and I would have to use my trusty memory erasing pen on all who saw it. I do not want to go thru that again!

Just be sure to have the pen face away from you next time.

[longhorn_92]

The topic is of course a laughing joke on this forum and on many others. It is the general consensus of License Holders that a badge is not necessary or desirable. In some States, I believe it is actually against the Law.

The original idea behind a CHL Badge was that if/when you were in a shooting situation and you were still shooting or otherwise active with the handgun when LEO's arrived, you could "Flash the Badge" and that would identify you as a "Good Guy" to the responding LEO's. You would then have less of a chance of being mistaken for one of the bad guys and being shot by responding Officers.
It sounded like a good idea at first, but it was always possible that you would be charged as impersonating a LEO later on. Just something else to add to the trouble you will go through for wasting that scum in the first place!

That being said, I have not read one report where a License Holder flashed a badge or where one was charged if they did. Florida may be a better test case as they have been in the License business far longer than Texas.

I actually have a CHL Badge! Yes.....I will admit it.......
But, I do not carry it.
It is only a Novelty Item that is in my Gun Safe.
Why.....????
Because I want it. Why not????

[Paco]

Something like this? http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/b1/28/ddbc_12.JPG

No, he's referring to these lil' beauties...

Man, I just see that and think "Hey bad guy, shoot me first!"

[Doug.38PR]

If you are an average everyday American and you see someone whip out a badge and gun saying "Halt! CHL holder!" to someone, what are you going to think?



"Thank heavens a CHL holder is on the scene"

[45 4 life]

I am not in favor of badges, however you will notice that the badge shown is from Indiana. When you get their permit it is a permit to carry open or concealed. Although OC is still not that popular. No I am not starting that conversation again!

The state of Indiana has discussed the need of badges when one is carrying openly. Much like an LEO displaying a badge while in plain clothes. I suppose they thought is that it would cut back on the phone calls reporting a man/woman with a gun. I suppose if you are OC'ing it would not make that much difference.

[jnkirk1974]

Remember what they said about "badges" in Blazing Saddles...........

[dac1842]

I have laughed at the folks that want CHL Badges. Having one that you can have in a display around the house is one thing. But let me paint this scenario for you. You are on your way home from work, or if having fun the range. You stop at your local Stop N Rob and go in to get something to drink. BG walks in and as you approach the register he catches a glimpes of your CHL badge. BG is not going to stop and read what it says. He will equate a badge to a cop, and naturally and correctly to a gun in the house besides his. Now instead of just robbing the place and leaving , he does not wish to be caught, so... Need I say more.
IF you have the misfortune of having to use your weapon, when the police show up, place your weapon on the ground, on the car or whatever, step away from it and raise your hands and await instructions. Be cooperative , that will go a lot further than displaying a badge and the officer assuming your an officer too only to find out you are not, that in some case will not fly real well. Most officers probably won't think much of it and might get a chuckle. Until they identify you the badge wont go real far in helping anyway since most officers know you can buy a badge over the counter or off the internet.

[Doug.38PR]

"Where are your badges?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3YpdMxrIXg
jn, don't you mean Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Bogart's line at the end of this scene makes an excellent statement to gun grabbers and liberals

[Kerbouchard]

I've found that holsters in general are a very good way to tell if somebody is a CHL holder or not. If I see somebody with their holster exposed, I might mention casually that his shirt has ridden up a bit. If I see somebody with a glock tucked into their waistband, it's a completely different scenario.

GG's typically wear holsters.
BG's typically do not.
YMMV

[phoneguy]

A few years ago I was watching a special on pilot tv shows that never made it to air, and there was one starring Adam West (Batman), in which he played a washed up actor, who had starred in a cop show, thought he could use his "skill" to be a real private detective. Anyway, when interviewing suspects, he would flash the souvenier honorary crimefighter badge, given to him by local cops, still encased in about 2 pounds of lucite, along with his headshot, instead of an ID or business card. When ever I see these threads on CHL badges, I thing about getting one and making a lucite paperweight out of it, for kicks.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBQ3HbB0c8Y

[Doug.38PR]

^

[Horseman]

I am a CHL holder in TX but I used to have a CCW in Washington state. A lot of guys had badges (I didn't). They didn't use them to show to anyone. They attached them to their holster or wore them next to it so that if the gun was accidentally revealed the badge would show too,thus avoiding a call to the police and an "incident". This would be the only legitimate use for a CHL badge in my opinion.

[cnovel]

very good point by horseman

[MechAg94]

I believe you can get leather ID holders that can clip to your belt also. That way, you can put your CHL license out on display instead of a badge.

For me, concealed is concealed. I don't want to display anything.