Question about Class A LTC in Massachusetts

[steve.mallon]

I live in Massachusetts and just re-newed my Class A LTC after 8 years of letting it lapse. My question is: I have come across a "Concealed Weapons Permit" Badge in a couple of magazines and some websites and was wondering if it was legal to have a badge like that. there are a lot of ignorant people out there and some or most do not understand that as long as you have the proper licences it is legit. in the same breath i don't need the "impersonating a officer" issue either. I also understand that a license to carry and conceal is just that. the firearm needs to be concealed but as everyone knows stuff happens.... Any thoughts?

[icu650]

in the same breath i don't need the "impersonating a officer" issue either. Any thoughts?

Do not carry a badge. Who are you going to show it to without that person saying you represented yourself as a cop by flashing a badge.

[steve.mallon]

Thanks for the reply and honesty..

[Joeyd6]

I agree with ICU. I just don't see a need. There is nobody to show it to.

[greg72982]

I don't know if open carry is legal there, but if you are going to have a badge that says "Concealed Weapons Permit" you might as well just carry openly. The purpose of concealed carry is so no one knows you are carrying in the first place.

Your permit is your "badge." Show that. From a civilian standpoint when a badge is flashed they think "police." From a law enforcement standpoint when someone flashes a badge we think "impersonator" or "wannabe."

[icu650]

but as everyone knows stuff happens.... Any thoughts?

The term "stuff happens" should not be premeditated, this concerns me that you know someone will see your concealed gun. Could it be the way you are planning to hide it? A 44 magnum under a tight tee shirt isn' t really concealed, it's screaming hey look at me!

[marinepilot]

A 44 magnum under a tight tee shirt isn' t really concealed, it's screaming hey look at me!

Being as it's the "most powerful handgun in the world."

[ET109]

The only reason for those 'badges' is to impersonate police... even if only to yourself in the mirror or the girl at the bar who 'accidentally' sees it.

The rationalization I hear is that you can hold it up to police after shooting some ne'er-do-well. Trust me, the best option is to drop the gun when police arrive and do exactly what they say- which will probably involve you getting proned out and cuffed for awhile. Turning towards officers with a gun and another piece of metal in your other hand is liable to get you shot or arrested faster. And anything you can buy online is not going to be take for any value... the bad guy can have one too, can't he?

If I recognize the 'man with a gun' as an officer because I know his or her face, fine. Otherwise everyone gets the same treatment until we figure out what happened.