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

[Hoi Polloi]

In Texas, wouldn't even showing a badge next to your concealed weapon if your cover garment gets pulled up accidentally still be considered impersonating a law enforcement officer?

I don't see how it could be. Next thing you know, you people will be telling me my CHL tiara is illegal!

Texas Penal Code
Sec. 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.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 189, Sec. 7, eff. May 21, 1997.


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 1701.001, Occupations 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.

Added by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5672, ch. 1075, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 514, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.831, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

[Shoot Straight]

In Texas, wouldn't even showing a badge next to your concealed weapon if your cover garment gets pulled up accidentally still be considered impersonating a law enforcement officer?

Are security guards with badges impersonating a law enforcement officer?

[Horseman]

I agree MechAg a license on display would probably be better. I carry IWB with my shirt tucked in so for me concealed is concealed no place to wear any license or badge just saying that if someone were to wear a badge or a license it would only be to quietly put someone at ease if they accidentally saw your gun not to show off.

[jamisjockey]

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.

IMHO pretty much the only arguement I've ever heard for carrying one that made sense.
However,
I still stand firm that an over zealous LEO very well might persecute a CHL holder with a badge as impersonating an officer. Having the law on your side won't stop an officer with a bad attitutde or misperception from stuffing you into the back of a cruiser.

This is Texas. It's percieved that everyone has a gun. I don't see it being a nightmare for most people if your shirt rides up and you get exposed. Lots of stories on here about it, very few with bad results.

So, next is the idea I've seen pushed by some on the internet that you can hold the badge up when the cops respond, post shooting, so that they know you're a good guy. Back to my original argument....besides the fact that cops may not react well to you waving something around when they show up. If possible my gun will be back in the holster and my EMPTY hands will be in the air when a cop shows up, post shooting. I intend to stick to the absolute minimum and basics, in a hope to avoid being shot by the cops.

[Shoot Straight]

I still stand firm that an over zealous LEO very well might persecute a CHL holder with a badge as impersonating an officer. Having the law on your side won't stop an officer with a bad attitutde or misperception from stuffing you into the back of a cruiser.

A bad guy who will make a false arrest will find some excuse to make the false arrest. That's true whether or not you have a CHL badge or Security Guard badge.

[jamisjockey]

I'd rather not give them any extra reasons to.

[DoubleJ]

From time to time someone makes a comment about a CHL Badge. I normally take it to be a joke when talked about. Whats the background there? Was there a thread back along the way where someone thought they would get a badge to wear with their license?

It does not make sense to me that anyone would want a badge to go with a CHL. Did some state or someone come up with the idea that CHL holder should wear a badge?

I teared up from laughing at that. not you, just the badge thing popping up again.

good to see some things never change...

[philip964]

A man here in Houston flashed a CIA badge during a traffic stop. He was also a CHL holder, which he did not disclose during the stop, but which the police found out about on their computer in their police car. He then fled in his car and eventually ran out of gas. At the second stop he was shot and killed by the police when he bent over to retrieve the cell phone he dropped while exiting the car. Three guns were found in the car.

I think unless you are a LEO, flashing any kind of a badge is a very bad idea.

Showing your CHL license when asked for your drivers license during a stop is a very good idea.

Yes, holding a BG at gunpoint when the police arrive, bothers me as what the correct approach is, but having a badge does not sound like the solution.

[T Olson]

It maybe laughable but I've thought hard about caring a CHL Badge. Not on my jacket, not on my shirt but next to my weapon. My clothing is bought to conceal, always has been. I strap on my side iron in the morning in a IWB Blade Tech and don't think about it the rest of the day. Their is repercussions of impersonating a officer if the badge can't be distinguished as not being a LEO badge. That aside, being a helpful CHL holder as all of us are. I found myself at the grocery store being asked by a older lady if I could get a bag of chips off the top self. I knew I was pushing my concealment as I reached, but she needed chips. Long store short, she saw the gun, took the chips and without a thank you hurried off. Theirs times that our weapons are seen. Believe it or not the general public are very uncomfortable around guns for various reasons. Usually they have never been educated on firearms. Almost all are interested in getting a CHL, but when you show them a cocked 1911 in your waist they think your crazy. I wonder if that lady saw a badge next to my 1911 that she would of been more at ease. I carry a gun to protect me and others. Not to freak uneducated people out. 

[olafpfj]

Who has the sash and tiara?

We need to make sure that it continues to get handed down.

[johnson0317]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

No.

[punkndisorderly]

If a law enforcement officer ever sees it, at best he'll laugh so hard at you that he wet's himself. At worst, he'll take you on a ride to the police station where all his buddies can laugh at you while he books you for impersonating an officer. You'll probably beat the rap, but not the ride.

[Oldgringo]

We're leaving our summer post on Flathead lake and the local lady from the next park south showed up yesterday to take our monies and receipts, etc. to deposit. She was wearing a Montana FW&P Junior Ranger badge. I so wanted my own Junior Ranger badge. Oh well, maybe next summer...

[C-dub]

Who has the sash and tiara?

We need to make sure that it continues to get handed down.

They are not mine, but I'm sure that they will be passed down.

[rm9792]

As a matter of fact, I do have a large supply of disposable income. I came about it quite unexpectedly after I divorced my wife!

Unfortunately, instead of sending any of it your way, I think I will keep buying whatever I want, when I want it. That means guns, ammo, cars, property and yes, even CHL Badges....... if I want.

Single is good!

I knew I liked you Alan! My plan exactly. Divorced the wife after she decided to go to prison for mulitple DWIs to avoid that trouble and keep my daughter away from her. Amazed at how my disposable income (and gun collection) grew. Dang, there is a good country song in there somewhere......