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Old 10-15-2016, 09:44 AM
m1gunner m1gunner is offline
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Are LEO badges legal for non LEO to own?

I understand about impersonating laws, but are these things collectible?
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Old 10-15-2016, 09:54 AM
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It may depend on where you live, but as far as I know it is legal to own them. And people do collect them. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some forums just about that.
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Old 10-15-2016, 09:56 AM
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You can own them. Just not legal to wear or flash unless you are LEO.
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Old 10-15-2016, 10:21 AM
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I bought several boxes of "stuff" at an estate sale. Several LEO items were in the bottom of a box.

It saddens me that no family members were interested in this man's keepsake from his law enforcement career, as that is likely what he identified most when he was alive.

Similar to family discarding or selling a loved one's military decorations.
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Old 10-15-2016, 10:58 AM
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It will vary state by state, also with some State & Federal restrictions on certain agency items.
Arkansas's legislature for example, in their zeal to protect us passed a flurry of laws several years ago that prohibit possession, buying, or selling LE insignia by non agencies. This was in response to a high profile "Blue Light" Rapist case where the criminal was using a blue light to pull over victims.

For several years before this I had hosted a LE collectibles show in the state that drew collectors from all over the country mostly ones interested in antique LE badges. The show was shut down because even though 99% of LEOs have enough sense to know the difference in collectables and modern current issue it would have only taken one who decided to enforce the letter of the law and then cause untold problems for collectors.

We have more laws on the books than are necessary now. The problem is not solved by passing more laws but rather by dealing with those that break the law in such a manner that they are not inclined to do so again.
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Old 10-15-2016, 01:21 PM
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I believe there are some restrictions on badges in Texas - not sure about Georgia.
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Old 10-15-2016, 01:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bozz10mm View Post
You can own them. Just not legal to wear or flash unless you are LEO.
What he and sharkbait said. Elvis Presley was a well-known collector of them.
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Old 10-15-2016, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by m1gunner View Post
I bought several boxes of "stuff" at an estate sale. Several LEO items were in the bottom of a box.

It saddens me that no family members were interested in this man's keepsake from his law enforcement career, as that is likely what he identified most when he was alive.

Similar to family discarding or selling a loved one's military decorations.
I caught my big brother trying to sneak and toss all my dad's and granddads military stuff. After he left the area? I had to climb into a dumpster and dig out the uniforms, medals and stuff. I then went and hid them where only I would find them. My brother discovered id nabbed all the items-tried to interrogate me-but failed miserably. To this day-I still have it all. I told my mom what he triued to do-and she almost went atomic-apoplectic wouldnt cover her mood well enough.

Last edited by the ringo kid; 10-15-2016 at 01:32 PM.
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Old 10-15-2016, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 16thVACav View Post
I believe there are some restrictions on badges in Texas - not sure about Georgia.
Not that im aware of? but ill be seeing a couple LEO friends of mine later today-and will try to remember to ask. One is a Constable-the other a City Marshal.
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Old 10-15-2016, 01:39 PM
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A badge without a pictured I.D. card is just a piece of collectible metal
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Old 10-15-2016, 03:30 PM
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So, you are driving down the street and get pulled over. When the officer comes to your window you present your shiny CCW Badge. He takes your ID and shiny badge back to his car and spends the next 5 minutes laughing his head off, then gets on the radio and calls for back-up so the other guys can share in the fun.

I can't see any level headed person carrying one of these ridiculous imitations. Actually, to me it's an insult to the dedicated men and women who have EARNED the right to carry one. The badge represents the best America has to offer and shouldn't be disrespected by some silly imitation.

I can't believe Amazon actually sells this junk!



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Old 10-15-2016, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Lee in Quartzsite View Post
So, you are driving down the street and get pulled over. When the officer comes to your window you present your shiny CCW Badge. He takes your ID and shiny badge back to his car and spends the next 5 minutes laughing his head off, then gets on the radio and calls for back-up so the other guys can share in the fun.

I can't see any level headed person carrying one of these ridiculous imitations. Actually, to me it's an insult to the dedicated men and women who have EARNED the right to carry one. The badge represents the best America has to offer and shouldn't be disrespected by some silly imitation.

I can't believe Amazon actually sells this junk!

Amazon.com : Gold Concealed Weapons Badge and Permit ID Leathet Wallet by The X Bay : Office Products

Impersonation of officers happens here quite alot. Recently a guy who "busted" a speeder-busted a real patrolman-who was on an actual call-who in turn arrested him. When I heard that story in the news-I laughed my rear off.

Last edited by the ringo kid; 10-15-2016 at 04:05 PM.
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:02 PM
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Forgot to mention, when I first moved into my current apartment-one of the "residents" who had an expensive BMW in the parking lot-told me he was a Border Patrol Agent. I thought it mighty weird that he was living with his mother-and never believed him. A year or so later-he was busted for that-spent a few months in County lock-up-released and kinda behaved awhile. He was busted again-for posing as a Sky-Marshal-and actually had a badge-or id card-I forget which? Anyway, his Beemer was confiscated-and he now resides in a State Prison. The first bust-he got lucky and got off lightly-I know well the Judge he had to see-he's a former Marine. This Justice is NOT known for playing games.

Last edited by the ringo kid; 10-15-2016 at 04:03 PM.
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:03 PM
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Don't think anyone was talking about anything other than LE badges.
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:08 PM
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Yea no one is talking about those silly CCW badges I got one on display in my gun room as a joke.
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:24 PM
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QUOTE=lawandorder;139293351]Don't think anyone was talking about anything other than LE badges.[/QUOTE]

If you mean my post? it is revellant and the guy who was my neighbor-did get busted with a BP badge and--may have been busted for a SMs badge. I just cant recall if he had the 2nd badge or not?

----------------------------------------------------------

Oh and for the record-I just saw one of two LEO friends and yes-he confirmed LE badges can be collected-just never worn or used as a tool-by someone who isnt authorized. Any restrictions are Fed restrictions.
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Old 10-15-2016, 04:26 PM
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Yea no one is talking about those silly CCW badges I got one on display in my gun room as a joke.
Um??...............NOW were off topic!
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Old 10-15-2016, 05:18 PM
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A badge without a pictured I.D. card is just a piece of collectible metal
I bought a gun from a fellow that claimed to be a police officer. So I asked to see his badge, as he volunteered the info.

He showed the badge, but said the real deal was the ID card, and showed that, too. He indicated the badge was more ornamental, but the ID more official.
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Old 10-15-2016, 07:17 PM
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Yea no one is talking about those silly CCW badges I got one on display in my gun room as a joke.
My bad....mis-read the OP. Still think they are worthless.
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Old 10-15-2016, 07:22 PM
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I know a few people that collect and display LEO badges, of course they're in shadow boxes and not carried around in wallets.
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Old 10-15-2016, 11:19 PM
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I caught my big brother trying to sneak and toss all my dad's and granddads military stuff. After he left the area? I had to climb into a dumpster and dig out the uniforms, medals and stuff. I then went and hid them where only I would find them. My brother discovered id nabbed all the items-tried to interrogate me-but failed miserably. To this day-I still have it all. I told my mom what he triued to do-and she almost went atomic-apoplectic wouldnt cover her mood well enough.
I'm surprised you didn't try to whop him upside the head for doing lunacy like that. My older brother would have been wearing a knot on his head if he had tried, for sure. Of course, he's my older brother, not my "big" brother too.
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Old 10-15-2016, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m1gunner View Post
Are LEO badges legal for non LEO to own?

I understand about impersonating laws, but are these things collectible?
There is no law that prohibits you from owning or possessing a leo badge in Georgia......Collect away!
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Old 10-16-2016, 03:49 AM
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Badges are quite collectible and quite legal as long as not misrepresented. I knew of a fellow, however, who was a jeweler and cast fake antique LE badges. He travelled the gun show circuit peddling his fake badges for years and sold a lot of these counterfeits so be careful with what you're buying.
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Old 10-16-2016, 01:14 PM
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I'm surprised you didn't try to whop him upside the head for doing lunacy like that. My older brother would have been wearing a knot on his head if he had tried, for sure. Of course, he's my older brother, not my "big" brother too.
He's about 8 inches taller-and outweiged me by about 100 pounds. He'd mopped the floor with me at the time.

Last edited by the ringo kid; 10-16-2016 at 01:16 PM.
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Old 10-17-2016, 09:53 AM
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Badges are quite collectible and quite legal as long as not misrepresented. I knew of a fellow, however, who was a jeweler and cast fake antique LE badges. He travelled the gun show circuit peddling his fake badges for years and sold a lot of these counterfeits so be careful with what you're buying.

I know some military pilots that have solid gold wings made to wear instead of the normal issue wings. Do some LEOs have Sterling or Gold badges made by jewelers? Not what I have, just curious.
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Old 10-17-2016, 11:39 AM
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I know some military pilots that have solid gold wings made to wear instead of the normal issue wings. Do some LEOs have Sterling or Gold badges made by jewelers? Not what I have, just curious.
I dont know if its against regs or not? but ive seen a couple Texas Ranger wearing jewler-made badges. This of course-was about 15 years ago. In m thinking, most LE types probably dont think about doing that-like Pilots and such might. When I was in-we had embroidered badges on our shirts because metal ones can be used as a weapon against you. However, some months ago--I saw a news story concerning a squad of officers from my State-weari9ng dress uniforms ( which 99.99% of us are not issued. Anyway, those guys were wearing metal badges-which almost none of us are issued. Its not an issue of the agency being a cheapskate--but practicality.
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Old 10-17-2016, 10:28 PM
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Legal to have in Michigan. It's not illegal until you try to get someone to do or not do something based on implied authority of the police (assuming you're not the police). Badge or not.

Reminds me...I need to find my badges! I never carried them off-duty, just my ID way in the back of my wallet in case I was ever robbed. Better the hold-up man find a gun on you than a badge when he and his partner get the drop on you and pat you down.....
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Old 10-18-2016, 03:18 AM
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I have a badge that I wore in the 70's. I looks nothing like the badges worn now by the same agency. As long as I do not wear it now and pretend that I am currently a LEO, it is just a collectable from my past. It is safely tucked away in a box with other memories.
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Old 10-19-2016, 02:54 AM
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I sold all my LE items to another Deputy when I left. Nothing was issued, had to buy it all when I started. Wish I'd kept one badge for a memento. I did keep my 7 "C" cell flashlight. It is engraved with my name and makes a neat front seat, uh, light. These might have been named migraine makers....
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Old 10-19-2016, 03:02 AM
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Surprised no one has mentioned retirement shields. Virtually every retiring LEO (and often before retirement) in NYC has a copy of his shield made. IIRC, the Federal law pertaining to such matters states it should have a plaque "RETIRED" on the back of the shield. On mine, it is placed on the front. IIRC, the law states the retired LEO can possess it as a "memento of their service."

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Old 10-19-2016, 10:28 AM
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We have to buy our retirement badges. Never bothered. My retirement "badge" is direct deposited once a month!
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