Ugh. CHL badge rears its ugly head again

[WildBill]

I have no problem with "America's First Freedom" magazine accepting advertising for CHL badges. As long as the adverstisment is in good taste and is not deceptive I don't see anything wrong with it. It's not illegal. People advertise and buy dumb things all the time.

[tallmike]

Much to my dismay, I saw an advertisement for the infamous CHL badge in the latest "America's First Freedom".

We should write the NRA and complain about them allowing ads for ridiculously horrible products to run in their magazines.

That ad has been in every issue of AFF that I have seen. I dont mind NRA getting those advertising dollars where they can.

[WildBill]

Every state has laws making it illegal to impersonate a peace officer. That is why the CHL badges, just like security guard badges are supposed to be designed so they won't be confused with an LEO.

I agree that wearing a CHL badge is not a good idea, but I am debating the right of someone to advertise a legal product. I don't like a lot of the advertisers in gun magazines, so I don't buy their products. If you wish to write "America's First Freedom" to protest the adverstisement, that is your prerogative, but I am not going to join you.

I respect your opinion, but mine differs from yours.

Apparently people are buying them, or else they wouldn't keep getting advertised.

I wonder about that, too. As I recall, only one person on this forum has admitted to purchasing a CHL badge. There must be others.

[lunchbox]

it was my understanding their purpose is so you dont get shot by first responders at a glance they may think your a cop but then they will see once they are closer and calm you are a CHL and not a LEO
im not rushing out to buy one but i think the idea is in the right place

[kidder014]

And for only $46.50, you can get this nifty CHL Badge / Permit holder that just screams LEO impersonation!

http://www.ccwsupply.biz/Merchant2/merc ... WBC105-W94

[anygunanywhere]

Now that we have another CHL badge thread someone will start another open carry thread.

Anygunanywhere

[agbullet2k1]

Now that we have another CHL badge thread someone will start another open carry thread.

Anygunanywhere

Shhhhh, they'll hear you.

[lunchbox]

are we

[longtooth]

Hope not. Maybe it will die a swift death.

[lunchbox]

instead of talking till we are blue in the face over these issues why not take it to a body that can do something about it

[Texian]

I don't have one and don't plan on buying one but really don't see problem with NRA getting the money. If it is illegal in Texas (actually does constitute impersonation under Texas law) then someone here (maybe Charles Cotton) should post applicable statutes and case law. If it is not actually illegal then maybe just ignore it--probably only a miniscule percentage of CHL holders buying the badges anyway.

Here is a link to Fort Worth PDs take on impersonation with links to Texas PC.

http://www.fortworthpd.com/pdf%20files/ ... 508_v3.pdf

[Texian]

IANAL but my reading of this seems to indicate that the majority of the CHL community that disapproves of CHL badges will probably have to just grin and bear it.

§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept.
1, 1983. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 514, § 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, § 1.01, eff. Sept.
1, 1994; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 14.831, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.