Advertising for your favorite firearms and gun rights organizations is not just a bad idea—it’s an outright tactical mistake.

As a young cop, I quickly developed a deep respect for firearms, gravitating toward trusted brands like HK, Smith & Wesson, Sig, and, of course, Glock. These modern weapons are precision-engineered tools of defense, and in the hands of a well-trained individual, they can mean the difference between life and death.

Naturally, firearm manufacturers saw an opportunity to expand their presence, rolling out branded gear—hats, jackets, and all manner of apparel—allowing gun owners to showcase their loyalty. And while I have no issue seeing someone sporting their favorite brand at a range or training facility, wearing that kind of gear in public is a dangerous liability.

From a tactical standpoint, it’s a flashing neon sign to criminals. It tells them that you may be carrying a firearm—making you an instant target. A desperate or violent criminal might see you as a challenge, a prize to be won by taking your weapon or testing your resolve. The second you advertise, you surrender your tactical advantage.

Then, there’s the even greater danger: the unhinged, anti-gun zealots lurking in society. These people aren’t just opposed to firearms—they actively despise gun owners. Wearing an NRA hat or a pro-gun shirt could invite a confrontation you never asked for. And in today’s volatile climate, those confrontations can turn dangerous, even deadly.

But the worst consequence? It could be used against you in a courtroom.

Imagine, God forbid, you are forced to use deadly force in a self-defense situation. You did everything right, but now you find yourself at the mercy of a politically motivated prosecutor. There are countless DAs and politicians across this country who would love nothing more than to make an example out of a lawful gun owner. And when you face a jury of 12, you can bet that at least a few of them despise firearms, gun owners, and the NRA itself. Do you think they will give you a fair shake? Take a guess—and I promise you won’t like the answer.

Prosecutors in self-defense cases have repeatedly used pro-gun apparel and social media photos as ammunition against defendants, painting them as trigger-happy vigilantes looking for a fight. They have held up pictures of defendants wearing gun-branded gear in court, using it to manipulate jurors into believing the person was itching for violence.

So here’s my advice: if you own this kind of apparel, keep it where it belongs—at the range or during training. And whatever you do, keep those photos off the internet. If you ever find yourself in a legal battle over self-defense, the difference between freedom and prison could come down to a single piece of so-called “evidence.”

Yes, you have the First Amendment right to wear whatever you want. But the question is: at what cost?