Bad OPSEC to have a "Patriotic" or "Tactical" decal on vehicle??

Studio BK · Jul 3, 2012

I was thinking about putting some "Don't Tread on Me" Gadsden flag decals on daily driver. It got thinking about whether or not it would be a bad idea for several reasons. Will police or any other enforcement agency label me as a possible combatant or as an informed, patriotic citizen? I keep a GHB (get home bag) in my trunk with a bunch of supplies including ammo and a 9mm handgun (not actually in the bag but locked to the car in the trunk), so my other thought is will another prepper see this sticker and recognize me as a fellow prepper making my car a target for break in? I may be reaching with these ideas and questions but these thoughts have so far kept me from putting the stickers on my car and I really want to. Thanks for your input!

PaulZ · Jul 3, 2012

the thing is; what would make it a good idea?
Under the radar my man.

viehmann7680 · Jul 3, 2012

I don't think it would make you a target. Everytime I see people with said stickers on their car it makes me feel better knowing there are people out there that care about our counrty. And just because people have those on there car doesnt mean they're a prepper either. And I wouldn't be worried about cops either. Think about it.... Are you a person who would mess with police? And think about all the other people who put them on their cars. The people that do usually are good people. I think of anything it shows them that you are not some punk thats going to start stuff with them. It would be re-assuring to see a "Don't Tread On Me" sticker, than some wanna be gangbanger with his area code decal over his entire back windshield!

Studio BK · Jul 3, 2012

PaulZ said:
the thing is; what would make it a good idea?
Under the radar my man.

Yeah this is part of my turmoil, under the radar is probably a bit better but then some people will see it and think positive things so it's tricky.

viehmann7680 said:
I don't think it would make you a target. Everytime I see people with said stickers on their car it makes me feel better knowing there are people out there that care about our counrty. And just because people have those on there car doesnt mean they're a prepper either. And I wouldn't be worried about cops either. Think about it.... Are you a person who would mess with police? And think about all the other people who put them on their cars. The people that do usually are good people. I think of anything it shows them that you are not some punk thats going to start stuff with them. It would be re-assuring to see a "Don't Tread On Me" sticker, than some wanna be gangbanger with his area code decal over his entire back windshield!

This is the positive side of having such a sticker or logo on a car, which makes me think that I should go ahead and do it.

mat33 · Jul 3, 2012

Any decorative accessories for your daily driver would not be in keeping with gray man theory. "That's the gray Honda with the Don't Tread on Me flags I saw in front of the gun shop/jewelry store...I notice it leaves the house every morning at 7:03am...that's the third time it cut me off."

Studio BK · Jul 3, 2012

mat33 said:
Any decorative accessories for your daily driver would not be in keeping with gray man theory. "That's the gray Honda with the Don't Tread on Me flags I saw in front of the gun shop/jewelry store...I notice it leaves the house every morning at 7:03am...that's the third time it cut me off."

Good points. I already have Marine Corps veteran plates though so that isn't very inconspicuous either I suppose (does keep me from the getting tickets though so far).

knuckle Head · Jul 3, 2012

Yeah my pickup sticks out like a sore thumb as it is, ext long with cross tool box, and split camper mirrors, i see similar trucks of same color but not one with it all on it, the people I work with know when they see at a store parking lot. (one reason I getting rid of it) I have support our troops magnetic stickers on either side and a God Bless America magnetic sticker on the back. On e I know cops notice them because a few have pulled next to me and waved or nodded and I was not speeding.

But although the army still requires their personnel to have base/ DOD stickers on their windshields to show it has been registered on base, the Air Force stopped in several years ago, they said they did not wna tht emilitary and civilian employees to be targets for terrorist operating inside the states and or to be a kidnap vicitim or to chance a terrorist breaking in and plant a bomb that could be remotely operated.

Their is something to be said about someone wanting to show they support our troops and they still beleive in God, but once again that makes you a target, and I have asked myself this very question many times, do I really need to have a stickeron my vehicle to brag to others that I am proud to be an american, I believe in Go or i support our troops, isn't it enought hat i know it and God knows what s in my heart.

I will am going to remove mine because I do not need to advertise my belief with a sign, my actions speak loud enough for themselves

nwwoodsman · Jul 3, 2012

I had an experience which I think might relate to this. Last weekend the family and I stayed in a small town on the Washington coast. I walked up to a fireworks stand wearing my Oregon Firearms Federation sweatshirt. The guy behind the counter said nice shirt, which lead to a conversation about firearms and politics. Obama may have been mentioned about 50 times. It was a nice talk. Just as I was getting ready to leave his wife mentioned that he was a cop, which lead into another discussion. We both agreed on most of the issues. I don't think you need to worry about showing your patriotism to all law enforcement. Some of them feel the same way you do.
After typing that last paragraph I just realized how absolutely horrific it is that this country has gotten to the point that a person has to be so scared of persecution by the police that they have to hide their poltical views. This is not the USA I grew up in.

bassman2 · Jul 3, 2012

Be proud and sport the Gadsen, Extremely Right Wing, God Bless Our Troops Especially Our Snipers, etc...

I get WAY more positive reactions than negative ones! The negative ones are usually too scared to do anything!

JackThompson · Jul 3, 2012

At the very least sport an NRA sticker

Burt Gummer · Jul 3, 2012

If you still want to be a stand out, have at it - http://www.libertystickers.com/category/Guns_and_The_Second_Amendment/

idRATHERbeOUTDOORS · Jul 4, 2012

I just put my obama terrorist sticker on my car. Already caught a woman behind me taking a picture @ a red light. lol

BTW: My reasons for the sticker are not religion or race oriented. They are, I feel, legitimate.

MarkAd · Jul 4, 2012

cool, i want one.

Studio BK · Jul 4, 2012

Thanks for all the input everyone, glad to see that I'm not the only one that has thought about this. I've made a decision tonight, I'm putting the stickers on my car. If someone doesn't like it fortunately it is their right to not like it and possibly even say so. If they do say something I will thank that person for exercising their 1st Amendment rights and remind them that they are lucky to be able to do so in this free nation. I'm proud to be an American patriot and I'm not going to hide it. Semper Fi.

MP Sgt · Jul 4, 2012

Screw that. I have my disabled veteran plates, my Gadsden flag and my retired thin blue line police decal. Eugene (and the NW in general) has enough of that liberal sticker BS, so I'm going to show my colors.

If someone doesn't like my dedication to the Constitution, they can freely leave.

revjen45 · Jul 4, 2012

Showing yur dedication to the Constitution does not offend me. That said, why display something that informs the Forces of Evil who their enemies are?
BTW The Gadsden Flag flies on our home this Independence Day.

Ownerus · Jul 4, 2012

nwwoodsman said:
... This is not the USA I grew up in.

Unless you're very young, it's definitely NOT.

When people say "it's a free country", I tell them no, it isn't and if they believe it is they should turn off the TV and try to do something. It may be the only way they'll learn.

MrNiceGuy · Jul 4, 2012

Friends dont let friends put stickers on their car.
Every time you do, a baby angel gets kicked in the nuts.

MP Sgt · Jul 4, 2012

I fly the flag because it needs to be flown.
In this occupy Eugene group, there are plenty of signs being displayed that are pro socialism, or Marxist slogans. I see bumper stickers that promote Obama (not that Romney is really any better...). The far left is loud in the Willamette Valley, so I will match their voice. I will not have people thinking that true patriots don't exist here. So be it if my enemies can identify me, my friends can also find me.

I'm not expressing all my opinions, but I'm not hiding my most basic political stance.
Besides, I already have ink expressing that stance.