Minnesota cops sue NFL over gun ban

[sarisataka]

Minnesota cops sue NFL over gun ban
By David Hanners
[e-mail]
POSTED: 02/18/2014 12:01:00 AM CST | UPDATED: 28 MIN. AGO

Minnesota's largest police group and police union are suing the NFL and the Vikings, claiming the league's new ban on off-duty cops carrying their guns to games is illegal.

The Minnesota law that allows businesses to bar weapons specifically exempts "active licensed" peace officers, and state law trumps NFL rules, the lawsuit says.

But the National Football League disagrees, saying the law doesn't apply to it. Although an NFL spokesman declined to comment on the suit, when police officials complained about the policy last fall, the league's security chief said a ticket to a game is a license that teams can revoke at will -- and being an armed off-duty cop is reason enough.

The NFL said that between on-duty officers assigned to games and rent-a-cops, there are enough guns inside NFL stadiums, and the league worries about "blue-on-blue" shootings.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25172868/minnesota-police-group-sues-nfl-over-no-handgun
Cops vs NFL...

[gejohnston]

1. who paid for the stadium?

If the Vikings and the NFL built it with their own money, then their house, their rules. If, as is usually the case, socializing the cost while privatizing the profit, then I agree with the cops.

[proudretiredvet]

2. Great point, I agree.

[Jenoch]

3. As powerful as the NFL is, I believe they will lose this in court.

What is ironic that I recall the NFL had several court cases moved to Minnesota because they thought they had a friend in the Minnesota courts. I wish I could remember the cases.

Edit to add: It seems the Minnesota courts favored the players over the owners in the many lawsuits regarding players' contracts.

[msongs]

4. the bigger question is why cops need to carry their guns anywhere when off duty nt

[Ed Suspicious]

5. I'm sure they'll say it's so they're ready to serve and protect at any and all times. I would

consider that a crappy way to live (in a constant state of heightened alert).

[Jenoch]

6. I have two brothers who are cops.

They do not often cRry while off duty. I would not say they are T 'heightened' alert, just alert. The average psrson does not pay much attention to what goes on Round them. Look how many people step into traffic or run into things while walking because they are texting while walking.