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Police union wants NFL to rescind gun ban for stadiums

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on the field before a game between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on the field before a game between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The National Fraternal Order of Police has asked the NFL to rescind its ban on concealed firearms inside stadiums.

The issue of guns is a major one in the United States at this point in time. With violent shootings occurring on a way too regular basis, the Second Amendment and right to carry concealed weapons are yet again hot-button issues. The Police Union has now entered the discussion in regards to how carrying laws affect sports. In a letter dated on November 20, the union asked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to consider the current ban on retired and off-duty police officers bringing their guns inside stadiums during matches.

Reported by BuckeyFirearms.org, the letter argues that due to recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the increased threat that groups like ISIL pose, more guns are required within stadiums to increase safety. The letter states:

"“The terrorist attacks and threats of attacks from organizations like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) are selecting targets based on the amount of death and injury they can inflict — mass murder and casualty events. Well-attended venues and areas are being deliberately targeted by the radical killers who do not intend or expect to survive the assault. Law enforcement, even when working actively with highly trained and skilled security professionals, cannot be certain that all threats will be detected and neutralized.”"

Before a league wide ban was enforced prior to the 2014 season, it was the decision of the club to allow or ban guns at stadiums. It is expected that if the ban were reversed, then the structure would return to as before, and the teams would be responsible for such decisions.

Gun control is a contentious topic in all walks of life right now. And now it looks as though the NFL may have some major decisions to make in regard to allowing or banning the use of guns by particular firearms owners. Whether the rule is scrapped or not is unknown, but there will be a heavy backlash if such a decision is made.

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