overcoming various state gun-control laws appears to be at the heart of Mercer’s previously unreported dabbling in Lake Arthur’s law enforcement. In 2004, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, declaring that police officers can carry concealed guns in any state without the need of a local license. The law applies to off-duty officers who are out of their jurisdictions, including volunteers. As a result, the volunteer police badge became an alluring accessory for gun enthusiasts, especially in areas that seldom grant concealed-carry permits—areas like Suffolk County, where Mercer lives. Since the law was enacted, some police departments around the country (dubbed “badge factories” by insiders) have been said to swap badges for cash, or hand them out to friends...