Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
If an armed citizen steps into an active shooting, how will responding police know he is one of the good guys?
It is a legitimate concern. From an officer’s perspective, anyone holding a gun when police arrive could be the killer. The officer may have only seconds to separate the villain from the vigilante.
That has led some concealed carriers to consider wearing a CCW badge, sash or other identifier. John Correia of Active Self Protection Extra recently addressed that question, and his answer was clear: Save your money.
Correia raised the issue while discussing armed citizen Austin Scott James. James reportedly moved toward the active killer at the Idaho In-and-Out but hesitated to draw his firearm because he feared responding officers might mistake him for the attacker. He was then critically wounded.
The concern also recalls the 2021 shooting in Arvada, Colorado. Armed citizen Johnny Hurley stopped a gunman who had murdered a police officer. Hurley then picked up the killer’s AR-pattern rifle. A responding officer saw Hurley holding it, mistook him for the attacker and fatally shot him.
Hurley was a hero. His death was also an extraordinarily rare and tragic example of how quickly identities can become confused during a chaotic attack.
Would a shiny identifier badge or sash have prevented it? Maybe not.
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Correia argued that an officer may never see or read a small badge during a fast-moving emergency. A sash packed under someone’s clothing does nothing until he finds time to put it on. Even then, the officer still sees an unknown person holding a gun.
Badges also cut both ways. If anyone can buy a “concealed carrier” badge online, so can the killer. A bad guy could display one as a decoy, create more confusion. Or, buy himself another second to attack.
There is also the danger of looking like someone impersonating a police officer. A novelty badge might create problems during an ordinary encounter without providing meaningful protection during the rare event it was purchased for.
Correia’s better answer is to handle the immediate threat first. If an armed citizen chooses to intervene, the presence or absence of a sash should not drive that decision.
Once the threat ends, the priorities change. Do not pick up the attacker’s gun. Move it away if necessary, but carrying it could make identification even harder. Holster your own firearm when it is safe. Move behind cover, check for injuries, call 911 and prepare to follow every command from responding officers.
There is another option that armed citizens sometimes overlook: Get off the X and leave.
Carrying a gun does not make anyone a police officer. It does not create a duty to hunt an attacker through a building. If an escape route is available, fleeing may be the safest choice, especially when a spouse, child or other family member depends on you.
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That choice might not feel heroic, but getting your family out safely is a win. Running toward gunfire carries enormous risks, including being shot by the killer, another armed citizen or responding police.
There is no perfect answer. Intervention might save lives. It might also create another armed figure for officers to identify in a scene already filled with noise, panic and incomplete information.
Correia’s position is simple: Skip the badge and sash. Train seriously, understand the risks and think through the aftermath before trouble finds you.
Let’s continue the conversation. Would you wear a CCW badge or sash to identify yourself? Or do you believe it can cause more confusion than it prevents?
If an escape route were open, would you engage or get your family out?
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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The gist of this question is how do I avoid being shot or tackled in a blue on blue situation. Right?
My church security team has a lanyard or printed golf shirt which shows we are “friendlies.”
Outside of armed service to an organization, I’d never advertise being armed as it compromises tactical surprise.
I think it’s counter productive to “carry concealed” and then mark myself as carrying a weapon. I believe people getting harmed for doing the right thing is not the norm. If you step into a situation, do the right thing and then make smart choices. 99% of the time it will go they way it’s supposed to.
I am opposed to such an idea. If I wear any identity that shows I carry a legal weapon I might as well tell a perp I carry and make me the obvious first target. No different than wearing a bullseye.
I may be mistaken, but wasn’t Austin James a former police officer? I am curious if that might be the reason he is a former police officer. Watching the video it doesn’t make sense that you would move in the direction of gunfire and not draw your firearm. I feel bad for him for being wounded but it seems like if his was a former police officer his training would kick in.
I agree: Save your money. However, if attacked, I would fight back, reasonable and appropriate to the scenario, with whatever is available until threat is no longer a threat to my life or my family’s safety. A lot of people don’t understand they have to decide whether they are going to fight or flight way ahead of an attack. If attacked, I would probably do whatever is necessary to get away.
I agree: Save your money. However, if attacked, I would fight back, reasonable and appropriate to the scenario, with whatever is available until threat is no longer a threat to my life or my family’s safety. A lot of people don’t understand they have to decide whether they are going to fight or flight way ahead of an attack. If attacked, I would probably do whatever is necessary to get away.
I live in a constitutional carry state. There is a reason why the state government decided to allow it. I’m not going to wear anything that identifies me as armed.
Stupidest CC idea I’ve heard!
“Carrying a gun does not make anyone a police officer.” Even sworn officers have no legal duty or requirement to protect/defend any individual person, only “the public in general.” (per the Supreme Court)
wearing a badge or a sash, or any other signifier sufficiently obvious enough to be intelligible to responding LEOs is also a screaming billboard to EVERYBODY around you advertising “Gun here” or “Shoot me first”.
Ridiculous.
What a stupid idea. Hell no…no badge no sash no nothing…and in any scenario…I will get my family out…probably try to help injured and keep hidden from any armed idiots…even the police…they are already under enough stress with a very narrow focus BTDT
One of the first things I learned was: “Am I printing?”
I was walking around a shopping mall not that long ago and some, I dunno what, off-duty cop or whatever, wearing his badge on his belt, shirt (some kind of pro-LEO rah rah style design), a completely exposed Glock and a pair of handcuffs strewn over his belt. I stayed as far away from him as possible as we seemed to shop in several of the same stores, mainly because although you should be out in public in no less than Coopers “Condition Yellow”, you also shouldn’t signal that you’re an armed shopper.
If I was the baddie, my first order of business in my psychopathic rage would be to stop the person who may try to stop me before I get started. I’d much rather be the guy that no one knew was armed, trying my best to extract myself from the situation, only to engage when not only necessary, but with the tactical advantages of an OODA loop response.
It all comes down to training. Training with drawing from holstered concealment to target acquisition in the shortest amount of time. In a perfect scenario, if you happened to be successful in your action, you should have plenty of time to keep your wits about you, reholster and be ready for any LEO response with hands held high in the air and shouts of “Concealed Carrier here!”, or whatever short phrase you turn into muscle memory through repetition. If you weren’t “printing” before and after, any arriving first responder ought to see a person that looks unarmed, with his hands in the air, hollering something from a frozen position (while, of course, you’re still assessing the baddie(s) condition(s) and with a readiness to re-engage.)
When I first saw the story of the hero citizen Jordan Salinas, the first thing I thought about is, “How the hell did he conceal that rig?” And, as I learned more about the guy, he hits it on the head. Train. Mentally and physically. Be ready so you don’t have to make ready.
But, I think it all starts by asking yourself the first important question. Are YOU printing?
The primary argument for carrying a CCW badge is to display it after a justified shooting, especially at night, where you need to keep the gun out and are awaiting police. Displaying the badge “might” make the first responding officer hesitate from shooting long enough for you to follow his orders and divest yourself of your firearm. Maybe, a very big MAYBE. If you choose to carry such a badge, never, never, never allow anyone to see it outside of a self-defense scenario. If your badge is “accidentally” exposed in public, you’re to blame regardless of the circumstances and at a minimum should be detained for impersonating an officer. I own a couple, but they stay in my emergency kits as a possible aid in escaping chaotic, riot-like situations, where it might help escape from or discourage a small group of “unfriendlies.” But that’s another fair-sized MAYBE; better to concentrate on a low profile.
Hmmm…heinleinesque, green armband and all.
This is exactly why I go and introduce myself to every law-enforcement officer in my area and I let them know that I am a concealed carrier so that we ever have an incident like what happened at my wife’s Kroger store they would know who I am and not shoot me🤨
I am an NRA Personal Protection instructor and have been for many years. What I teach my students – and practice myself – is this:
Is the perp shooting at people or just shooting? Is there anyone to shoot at? Your job is, 1. Get your family out safely, if you can. 2. Go to the aid of innocent folks. In that order.
Seek cover, if you can. Not concealment, which doesn’t stop bullets.
Shoot the perp until he can no longer shoot. If in doubt, shoot him/her some more.
Lay your weapon on the ground, move away from it about 4 feet and lay face down on the ground, spread eagle and wait for the police to arrive.
Give the police your name, address,basic information but only say, “He tried to kill me, I had no choice but to shoot him.” Any other questions get this respectful response, “With all due respect, it is best if I speak to my attorney first.” And stick to it. Repeat it again and again if you have to.
Call your attorney or a buddy who can secure an attorney for you.
Expect to be handcuffed, arrested and jailed.
“mass shooting”, not “active shooting”. Please and thank you.
Family first! Get to safety first. I carry daily and have a CCW but, I’m always in condition yellow. I think about escape route, possible cover and what would my response be. Badges mean nothing but confusion for police. Only engage if it’s safe to do so, then reholster, call 911 and obey law enforcement instructions.
What’s to prevent a ‘bad guy” from obtaining one of these ‘sashes’? Answer: absolutely nothing.
You forgot one critical piece. Anything identifying someone carrying concealed points them up as a target for a perp. The criminal could easily scan the area for identifiers and then take out that threat!!
Be aware. Be calm. Respond only if necessary to save lives. Disengage, as soon as possible. Holster, your weapon.
How absolutely stupid. The whole idea of concealed carry it to NOT advertise that you’re armed. Wear something like that, and you place a big bullseye right on you for the shooter to take aim at FIRST, before shooting anyone else. Cops show up, and the shooter’s likely to turn right to them. An off-duty LEO in civilian clothes or a detective, are much less a target simply because they don’t stand out.
I’m not going to play Monday morning quarterback and go through all the scenarios or possibilities of getting yourself involved in an active shooter situation and become part of a what if online debate.
I’m also not going to put myself, or anyone I care about and or are with at the time, by willingly making myself a target or a mark, for some gang banger, criminal or thug who wants a gun by wearing something that says, hey, that guy has a firearm on him
End of the discussion! Well, end of the discussion for me anyways.
If you decide to intervene in an active shooter situation, you’re already a risk-taker. Don’t add to your upcoming problems by wearing something that will do you no good and could be fatal. I suspect all of us that carry already know (or should know) the drill: Know your background so you don’t pick off innocents, don’t assume there’s only one bad actor, and don’t look like a threat to incoming LEO’s. I also suspect we’ve all already decided if we’ll intervene. I would suggest if you have a wife/husband and/or kids, get the hell out and let us past-our-prime single guys do something useful.
Well the first thing I thought of was Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby from the Simpsons, and his mayoral sash. So that’s a no for me. I am very commonly mistaken for a police officer so I figure I’ll be alright if push comes to shoot.
if there is an active shootout and police are there, you should stop trying to be a vigilantee unless you want to get shot. There is an exception if there are zombies on the streets.
however, in a gun fight, the side you are on is usually delegated by the direction in which you are shooting. If i am a criminal and then i put on a sash before a bank robbery would they let me go?
yup just give the criminals every chance to succeed,,,,why bother carrying in the first place when you’re just going to do nothing???
Wearing a fake badge wins you the same prize as audacious open carry in public places… The “shoot me first” prize.
Reminds me of Jews having to wearing the Star of David in 1939. Foolish idea.
kinda takes the concealment part right out of the picture.
No “CC badge”, I hadn’t heard of the “sash” but a big No also. We must understand that a lot of people are mentally wired or otherwise trained to respond in an appropriate way when they recognize a situation they may be able to help. It may be the crunch and thud of a vehicle accident or shots fired. Instead of Risk vs Reward, it’s Risk vs consequences: even so; the impulse to act immediately will override any mental risk gymnastics that are not part of the good guys tactics on the fly decisions. I’ve bailed out of the drivers seat before, leaving wife and kids in traffic. After the first time, it set the importance for my wife to get her CCL. We have Plans of Action for several road situations including gas and rest area stops, malls, big box and small single business structures. Our extra mags are interchangeable.
In all “hardwired” responses while in civilian clothing please consider:
In open areas: No blind calvary charges! Look and listen. Close distance with stealt using available cover/concealment. Only Draw when you are close enough to intercede: hit, deter, disrupt bad guys actions (it may also draw fire). Fire over “cover”, if targeted take cover and stealthily move to other cove if possible. Re-engage/move as the situation allows.
Never assume its only one bad guy. I recommend you continually scan 360°/listen even if primary bad guy is stopped. Your also scanning for LE or other good guys encroaching. The recent Idaho burger event had civillian good guy and an off duty LE in civilian clothing involved. Pull your weapon in close /tight to your silhouette (vertically for a long gun along torso an leg). A few seconds will tell if the situation has gone its course. I won’t close in on a down bad guy. If he’s still moving the gun around he’s still a threat handle it accordingly. If gun is away and there is movment, I’m not going to his aid. I’m not his Good Sumaterian, I’m everybody else’s. Some folks believe rendering aid puts you in a better post event legal position. It may also kill you if he has a second weapon or explosive vest. That’s why LE has one or more Officers have bad guy at gun point as another Officer cuffs, checks and searches the bad guy. Back to you being alone: Now holster and cover pistol or lay down larger weapon and move at least two yards away from it. Cover between you and the bad guy is still a good thing. I would also sit on the ground with my hands behind my head to show I’m less represent a threat to anyone. Let LE come sort it out from there.
In small areas/rooms/structures: a shot fired real close is draw time! Extreme scream(s) and/or people running would dictate to be mentally ready to draw BUT hold off until “YOU” visually confirm the use of deadly force is justified.
Last Point: Remember and USE your legal Rights before making a Statement. Tell LE you’ll fuly cooperate when your lawyer is present. Don’t tell paramedics, people shoving phones in your direction or anybody PERIOD. What you tell anyone or TEXT your wife or best buddy can be pulled into court!
I’m not a lawyer. The above is how I conduct myself. You choose your own path.
drop the bastard slide his gun out of the way with your foot then cover the gun with your foot then hold your gun at low ready…….le’s should understand that.
yeah, i would also splash bleech on the shooter and also pick up the gun quick and cycle all the rounds out of it really quick so they know that you are just trying to help and then they can get your contact info off the gun, you know so they can give you your prizes for adjusting the crime scene a lil bit.
If you have the chance, also move his body a little bit too, they will think its hilarious. Just make sure you can describe how the body was, you know, when you are at the station collecting your prizes.
be my guest, let him grab the gun and shoot some more or better yet let somebody else grab it and shoot or take the gun from the scene so your self defense goes right out the window……
Cavalry. Please. I even have a sergeant major who says he was in the “calvary”….. I respond “Was that the famous 1st Cal, an all-Baptist outfit, which had its glory stolen by the 1st CAV because of their huge patch?”
the most stupid idea that i have heard lately!!!
Nah brother, some of your comments are right up with this. Your memory must be slipping.
your thought processes must be stupid to think this is a great idea…..liberal commie shill.