Aside from "muh feels"

It seems to be decent of any society to punish those who seriously try to engage in reaping the benefits of a duty they didn't perform. It's essentially fraud.

He dressed up as a soldier and people willingly paid for his meals, there's nothing criminal about that. Dressing up as a soldier and trying to claim benefits is criminal.

See the difference?

He dressed up as a soldier and people willingly paid for his meals, there's nothing criminal about that. Dressing up as a soldier and trying to claim benefits is criminal.

See the difference?

Read the OP again.

It is, but it's not

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 make it a crime for a person to fraudulently claim having received any of a series of particular military decorations WITH the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone that he or she rightfully did receive that award

But that's about medals and commendations. Not wearing the uniform.

Stealing credit for something you didn't do.

What credit, though? I could understand wearing a Purple Heart or other award/medal, but just wearing a uniform isn't credit of anything.

Fraud

This is the same thread over and over guys.
Just kill this argument -_-

Well, trespassing for one. Pretending to be in the military grants you access to bases (though I'd hope MP's or whoever guards the entrance actually check ID's...).

Then from trespassing, theft. Assuming you were able to get into a base, you could always help yourself to some fancy military hardware.

Well, trespassing for one. Pretending to be in the military grants you access to bases (though I'd hope MP's or whoever guards the entrance actually check ID's...).

Then from trespassing, theft. Assuming you were able to get into a base, you could always help yourself to some fancy military hardware.

But we're not talking about gaining access to military bases. We're talking about wearing a military uniform.

Quote from: SuperIrish on November 19, 2014, 04:40:14 PM

Well, trespassing for one. Pretending to be in the military grants you access to bases (though I'd hope MP's or whoever guards the entrance actually check ID's...).

Then from trespassing, theft. Assuming you were able to get into a base, you could always help yourself to some fancy military hardware.

But we're not talking about gaining access to military bases. We're talking about wearing a military uniform.

Oh I'm sure looking the part would help you if you had the motive. Same as having a fluorescent orange jacket means unlimited power to the average person in most places, or having white lab coat can make you a scientist.

I bunch it together with impersonating a police officer, or anything that has authority. If you're going to impersonate them there is most likely a nefarious reason behind it.

Quote from: Kinder on November 19, 2014, 09:05:16 AM

It is, but it's not

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 make it a crime for a person to fraudulently claim having received any of a series of particular military decorations WITH the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone that he or she rightfully did receive that award

Wasn't the '13 version of Stolen Valor declared unconstitutional?

I believe the 2013 replaced the previous version, which was unconstitutional

Quote from: DAS B00T x2 on November 19, 2014, 04:55:31 PM

Quote from: Kinder on November 19, 2014, 09:05:16 AM

It is, but it's not

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 make it a crime for a person to fraudulently claim having received any of a series of particular military decorations WITH the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone that he or she rightfully did receive that award

Wasn't the '13 version of Stolen Valor declared unconstitutional?

I believe the 2013 replaced the previous version, which was unconstitutional

Hmm... that might be right.

While that's mostly true, I don't see why simply wearing it should be a felony. Abusing your perceived power while wearing the uniform - sure.

Oh sure of course, just wearing a uniform doesn't justify arresting them or making it a crime...but that's just wearing it. I could easily buy some green combats and other army surplus (Helmets, camo gear, pretty much hand-me-downs from the army of the 50's to maybe the 80's) right now if I wanted to as it's not a crime.

But OP said impersonation. Dressing up as a military man, then grabbing a gun and "playing army" I would consider worthy of arresting them.