Utah lawmakers now have CCW badges!?!

[jlbraun]

What absolute dummies. Every time the idea of having a "THR" pin gets brought up here, it gets rightly smacked down. Now we have legislators with CCW badges?!? Hopefully this doesn't enable the morons out there we know exist that will buy one of these:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,334969,00.html

An oval pin with a six-point star in the middle has been seen adorning lawmaker's blazers around the halls of the Utah state capitol building. But if you see one, don't make any fast moves: It probably means they're carrying a pistol.

The Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune reports that about one in 10 Utah state lawmakers has a concealed weapons permit and they have been known to exercise their permitted rights on occasion.

Lately, several have been seen wearing the pin. They're a bit cagey about discussing the meaning of the adornment, however.

When asked about his pin, state Rep. Curtis Oda deadpans: "I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you."

The Tribune reports that during a recent legislative field trip, four lawmakers including Oda had to check their guns before entering an oil refinery.

Oda said one reason he supports gun ownership rights is because lawmakers can be targets themselves.

"You don't know. ... It's just the fact that I'd rather be prepared. The officers here are great, but they can't be right there next to you," Oda said.

 

[markmc753]

Such "badges" ought to be illegal. Anyone who would wear one on their blazer should automatically be dq'ed from having a concealed carry permit because this is a clear sign of a mentally unbalanced person

 

[Zundfolge]

Such "badges" ought to be illegal. Anyone who would wear one on their blazer should automatically be dq'ed from having a concealed carry permit because this is a clear sign of a mentally unbalanced person

I wouldn't go that far, wearing a "concealed carry badge" is just a sign that someone hasn't thought through the idea.

Thing is, if you're wearing a pin that says you're carrying than you are no longer carrying concealed, thats it.

Now wearing a badge that says you've got a CHL is crowding that line between silliness and impersonating a police officer (which happens to be a felony here in Colorado)

 

[jlbraun]

Now wearing a badge that says you've got a CHL is crowding that line between silliness and impersonating a police officer (which happens to be a felony here in Colorado)

True, but note that the pin is a 6pt star like a sheriff badge. That gets pretty darn close to the line for me.

 

[.cheese.]

Why get so worked up over this? Who cares?

I don't wear one (although I own one for kicks)
You don't wear one.
Most THR members don't wear one.

For these lawmakers to wear one doesn't affect any of us. Their choice, their problem if they ever have to suffer the consequences of advertising that they're carrying.

 

[Coronach]

It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

Now, if they're doing it while out and about...it's still a nice sentiment, just not very sound tactics.

Mike

 

[JKimball]

How funny.

My guess is that some of them ccw just because they know that will make them more popular in this state, so why keep it a secret?

It makes the same statement as someone who open carries, but they can still wear a jacket that may conceal it.

ETA: +1 what Coronach said

 

[CountGlockula]

Might as well have a big sign over your head saying:

Hello!!! I'M CARRYING!!!

I'm applying for my UT CCW next week and I can't wait to get my badge!:banghead:

Concealed is concealed.

 

[El Tejon]

CCW badgers! Cool.

Oh, wait.

 

[shdwfx]

Obligatory...

Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!

 

[Polishrifleman]

I would like to see the actual "PIN" instead of a badge as depicted. I think the original post is a little bit MSM type reporting. In the linked to article there isn't a picture attached.

It could be the size of a Rotary International pin, and as stated above will help with the whole metal detector where can you carry aspect of ccw.

The question I will ask is can an everyday joe with a valid Utah CCW enter a State building with their firearm?

 

[cedjunior]

True, but note that the pin is a 6pt star like a sheriff badge. That gets pretty darn close to the line for me.

No, its an oval shape with a six pointed star on it. It could be the size of your thumbnail for all you know, worn right next the little American Flag pin they're probably wearing. Do they wear it all the time? The story doesn't say, so don't come to that conclusion. If I were to form an opinion on this, I'd say it was a political statement showing their consolidarity on 2A issues that they wear while working. But I wouldn't know for sure.

 

[Polishrifleman]

Found it somewhere else. How's that for a billboard that says "I'm Carrying". As mentioned previously the initial post took some liberty with the news facts and it was run with.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8446170

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8443335

One pin - an innocuous looking red oval with a gold six-pointed star in the center - has its own special message: I'm packing a gun.

The Salt Lake's paper has a bit more information than the Fox article that took bits and pieces, if you can imagine that.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

My thoughts exactly. I wouldn't want one and hope they are never required of us, but I like the idea of lawmakers using them as an "in your face" gesture to their peers.

 

[serrano]

It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

Bingo!

 

[jlbraun]

One pin - an innocuous looking red oval with a gold six-pointed star in the center - has its own special message: I'm packing a gun.

Great. Another "sheepdog pin" or concealed carry badge.

 

[Brian Dale]

It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

Cool. I wish that my legislators would do that.

 

[ColinthePilot]

Originally Posted by Coronach
It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

I like that idea. I wouldn't wear one, but legislators are public figures who, by nature, wear their beliefs on their sleeves (or lapels, in this case). I wouldn't do it, but as a private citizen, I prefer to be a mystery. If I were a representative, I might consider it.

 

[jfdavis58]

Very funny notion-concealed carry badge. The New Mexico concealed handgun law SPECIFICALLY prohibits any badge, tag, or id card except for the license itself. Seemed rather superfluous when first covered in the CHL class, but now...???

 

[cedjunior]

After seeing a picture of the pin, I have to laugh at everyone who jumped on the "concealed is conceal" badges are for losers bandwagon without even knowing what they were talking about first. Obviously this is a pin they wear while in congress to make a political statement. Not something you'd see them wearing while at the grocery store on a Saturday morning while packing. Six star sheriff's badge? I'm still laughing about that one!

 

[littlegator]

It sounds like they're doing it as an overt sign of support for CCW while in the capitol building. If so, it's a political statement- and one of which we should approve.

Great minds think alike. That's exactly what I was thinking. Heller is being considered and the presidential elections are in full swing.

 

[Nightcrawler]

They're politicians doing this in the capitol building to make a political statement, as others have said. I've spoken, personally, with Rep. Curt Oda many times. He's probably the most ardent pro-RKBA politician I've ever known. He even came to our table at the gun show.

 

[Dave in PA]

It is a politician making a political statement. It is a small lapel pin that shows the other lawmakers that he supports lawful firearms ownership.

I wish there were more like him around the country.

 

[Car Knocker]

The question I will ask is can an everyday joe with a valid Utah CCW enter a State building with their firearm?

Of course we can! Anybody with a permit from any state can CCW in state, county and city buildings.

There is some hotly-contested firearms legislation in play right now and the pins that some legislators are wearing probably denote their support for the legislation. The media tends to sensationalize and demonize anything to do with guns, doncha know!

 

[jgo296]

i think its a great idea just sharpen the edges so it can be used as a throwing star