LEO Badges

[m1gunner]

Are LEO badges legal for non LEO to own?

I understand about impersonating laws, but are these things collectible?

 

[Shark Bait]

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.

 

[Bozz10mm]

You can own them. Just not legal to wear or flash unless you are LEO.

 

[m1gunner]

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.

 

[lawandorder]

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.

 

[16thVACav]

I believe there are some restrictions on badges in Texas - not sure about Georgia.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

 

[jimmyj]

A badge without a pictured I.D. card is just a piece of collectible metal

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

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!

[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Concealed-Weapons-Permit-Leathet-Bay/dp/B018RF6SFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476559254&sr=8-1&keywords=concealed+carry+badge"]Amazon.com : Gold Concealed Weapons Badge and Permit ID Leathet Wallet by The X Bay : Office Products[/ame]

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

 

[lawandorder]

Don't think anyone was talking about anything other than LE badges.

 

[Darkstar888]

Yea no one is talking about those silly CCW badges I got one on display in my gun room as a joke.

 

[the ringo kid]

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?

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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.

 

[the ringo kid]

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!

 

[m1gunner]

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.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

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.

 

[Gunslinger808]

I know a few people that collect and display LEO badges, of course they're in shadow boxes and not carried around in wallets.