This Product Is Stupid.
Seriously, it's like something you'd see in the back of an old comic book, in between the X-ray Specs and the Sea Monkeys. It won't help you. It labels you as having a bad case of mall ninjaitis, and a rather juvenile form of the disease at that.
It reminds me of those people I used to meet, who were so proud of their privilege to carry concealed weapons "legally" because they'd scored "Police Creds" for themselves. That was contemptible, but at least it did give them some practical benefit. This is just stupid.
If you find yourself wanting one, seek the help of a friend who'll give you a good swift slap until you change your mind.
Clownshoes
36 minutes ago
7 comments:
How the H did humans ever end up at the top of the food chain? That's right up there w/pointing a gun at your head & pulling the trigger to see if it's loaded.
Why not just get "Hello, I'm Stupid" tattooed on your forehead?
And people wonder why I prefer my own company...
Sheesh. These things have been around for many, many years. Sportsman's Guide is a newcomer to the field. And I just can't see the fact that they offer a product for voluntary purchase as a reason to boycott them.
At least commenter at the link did point out one valid use for these: not to impersonate a cop, nor to "show off", but to keep ignorant non-ops from panicking if your jacket slips and reveals the sidearm. Tell me that isn't exactly why so many _cops_ wear their badges on their belts by the holster.
The legal liability claim is probably pretty bogus (some specific jurisdictions may vary), or badge-totin' rentacops would be busted for "impersonating a police officer" several thousand times a day.
But no, I've never felt any great need for one of these. When I do carry concealed, I figure good concealment is a better idea. Of course, it's been... months? years?... since I bothered concealing.
Carl, I agree that the presence of the things in a catalog is no reason to cry boycott. I'd never buy one, and I'd question the sense of anybody who did. But Sportsman's Guide is in business to sell things people want. If people want these silly things, more power to the seller.
I do sometimes wonder where the boycotters expect us to buy stuff, after we've eliminated everybody who sells anything anybody objects to.
I probably should have been clearer that the boycotting proposal I think is silly was at the link, not something you suggested.
Boycotts to protest a single, voluntarily purchased product are pretty silly. In the case of Sportsman's Guide (full disclosure: I've bought a lot of gear from them over the years, enough to actually justify signing up fo the "Buyers Club"), it's like: "Hey! Let's boycoot this company that offers a wide selection of affordable ammo -- including some otherwise hard-to-find stuff -- because they dare to let customers make a personal choice to buy a product I don't want!"
And a choice not to do business with an outfit doesn't have to be a boycott (which would include persuading other people to refuse to patronize it, too). I won't do business with Cheaper Than Dirt after I discovered they were saving credit card info, billing the card without authorization, and shipping unordered merchandise. But other people are free to buy their often nicely priced ammo and take their chances.
Likewise, Claire Wolfe's friend from a couple months back who discovered that he could snoop on his customers specifically without their knowledge is someone I'd probably not to deal with.
But Sportsman's Guide? They've never screwed me, I haven't caught them doing anything shady behind my back. Heck, they've decided on their own that they didn't meet my expectations and issued me credit I didn't request. I can't see boycotting because they let people buy CCW badges.
I was half afraid to click the link in case it was something that I owned. Then I'd feel stupid. Fortunately, I don't own one and I only feel stupid some of the time. :<)
What do you have against sea monkeys?
Buck.
No no Joel! I collect REAL Badges.
Sometimes I have a lawyer go get me a badge if I feel the necessity.
The Texas Ranger and Marshal's badges from Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, are splendid examples. They're usually pounded out of a Mexican Silver Coin. I got most of my collection for the silver value 10-31 years ago.
Police are real respectful when they learn I'm in the habit of collecting badges, and have successfully collected some locally!
Of course this makes me target #1 when the SHTF!
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