Gun Control Reform Activism

jimmy the one

(2,717 posts) Tue Dec 1, 2015, 01:40 PM Dec 2015

should off duty cops carry guns at NFL games?

Actually I have little problem with this:

The Sergeants Benevolent Association has launched a petition demanding that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell lift a league ban that prohibits off-duty and retired cops from bringing guns to games.
“In a stadium with 50,000 people, if we disarm 100 off-duty cops, we just eliminated 100 possible opportunities to suppress that attack,” Sgt. Ed Mullins, the union’s head, told the Daily News.

I think I saw maybe Minnesota also allows it, whilst googling: Only off-duty cops at Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans games can bring a gun into a stadium.. state law allows it. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/off-duty-cops-carry-guns-nfl-stadiums-union-article-1.2438657

Of course, I've only ever been to one nfl game, giants v redskins back in 70's, boring & not as much fun as watching it on tv in a warm home with no worry about drinking too much. So kind of a backhanded compliment to say I have no problem with it!

my concern is also one of the nfl's: If permitted to carry concealed weapons, they create deconfliction issues for working law enforcement officers and increase the potential for “blue-on-blue” response confrontations. ... Moreover, off-duty law enforcement officers are not included in the on-site law enforcement chain of command or bound by department or agency-on-duty policies that that [sic] restrict their use of alcohol or subject them to other on-duty behavior standards.
Since 2013, off-duty police officers have been prohibited from carrying guns into NFL stadiums. But in the wake of the attack near the Stade de France outside of Paris, the National Fraternal Order of Police has asked the league to once again allow off-duty officers to carry concealed weapons during games because, they write, “Law enforcement, even when working actively with highly trained and skilled security professionals, cannot be certain that all threats will be detected and neutralized.” http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/12/off-duty-cops-want-to-bring-guns-into-nfl-games.html

5 votes, 0 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	permit off duty cops to carry at NFL games (presume stadium is aware)
	2 (40%)
	permit off duty cops AND retired cops to carry at NFL games -- " - "
	0 (0%)
	forbid off duty cops to carry at NFL games
	3 (60%)
	no opinion/ don't care
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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6 replies

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should off duty cops carry guns at NFL games? (Original Post) jimmy the one Dec 2015 OP

Unless they are hired as uniformed security, off duty cops should not be having guns at games. -none Dec 2015 #1

Considering the problems they are having with guns while on duty jeff47 Dec 2015 #2

thanks for the input jimmy the one Dec 2015 #6

Abso-fucking-lutely not! Aristus Dec 2015 #3

Especially if they are on the opposing team. -none Dec 2015 #4

I think each team should be making these decisions. Snobblevitch Dec 2015 #5

-none

(1,884 posts)

1. Unless they are hired as uniformed security, off duty cops should not be having guns at games.

Reply to jimmy the one (Original post)

Tue Dec 1, 2015, 01:47 PM

Dec 2015

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

2. Considering the problems they are having with guns while on duty

Reply to jimmy the one (Original post)

Tue Dec 1, 2015, 02:18 PM

Dec 2015

this isn't a very good idea.

jimmy the one

(2,717 posts)

6. thanks for the input

Reply to jeff47 (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 3, 2015, 10:44 AM

Dec 2015

jeff: Considering the problems they are having with guns while on duty this isn't a very good idea.

I think police mishandling guns is a relatively rare event, and a codicil to keep guns & bullets separate at the games (until needed) a good tack.
Thanks for the input readers, and I've been having second thoughts & adding codicils, but I still think it would be OK to arm off duty cops at nfl games, in light of this isis threat & the rise of mass shootings.
NFL games are densely packed, and sensationalism is a motivation. Likely would've been done already (shootings) except for entry regulations & metal detectors.
Yes there are some problem cops whether trigger happy or too authoritative, but c'mon, most all are ok & competent and not George Zimmermans with a badge; if we can't trust those trained in firearm use who handle guns on a weekly basis to protect cities & towns, well let's not become paranoid towards law enforcement due the overreactions of the few.

The codicils might be to refrain from alcohol use (mandatory), to check in & out at a gate office, to keep gun & bullets separate, & to abstain from drawing gun to resolve drunk & disorderlies - in other words only to counter someone with a gun.
As much a gun control advocate as I am, I view it more like the airlines view armed security in flight - trained law enforcement in passive protection, incognito.

Another related view I have, is the developing opinion not to mention a mass shooter's name on TV so as not to give him publicity, in the effort to suppress the 'fame' & sensationalism as a motivation.
This, when the major tv networks (fox, cnn, msnbc et al) tend to devote well over half their airtime for DAYS to WEEKS to the mass shooting, replaying over & over & over the event, the casualty toll, the background history of the shooters, where they came from, & interviews with their friends, relatives & co workers.
Their name comes out once then it's out, and simply 'not naming them' by the media is no real suppression when the tv coverage is so encompassing of the event in itself.