Posted on 02/19/2014 5:20:12 AM PST by TurboZamboni
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
Freepers who believe in property rights should support the right of businesses to ban guns on their premises.
The NFL is doing everything they can to devalue their product. From the wussification of the game to the extraneous “charity” influence, to the ostricization of fans (no purses or bags unless you buy the NFL logo or clear plastic), to the extra TV commercial timeouts, etc.
What’s next? Fans have to be quiet?
Live by the sword, die by the sword....What is good for the goose is good for the gander.....What goes around.....
While I don’t necessarily agree with the NFL on this, Police seem to always be excluded from the rules that apply to the rest of us sheep. They can speed, take liberties that are denied the regular guy, violate the constitution when it serves their needs.
That said, I do not have a problem with any properly licensed, Law abiding citizen carrying at a game. If they can, why can’t we?
I agree with the NFL. If you are going to ban guns ban them for everybody. A lot of law enforcement is for banning guns as long as they are exempt.
Businesses can ban guns on their premises, but their ability should extend to simply asking the CCW to leave if they notice he came in armed anyway, rather than there being criminal penalties for ignoring any sign.
Much like movie theaters can post signs saying "no outside food may be brought in".
I agree. But the NFL is hardly a “private business”.
If it were, I wouldn’t be forced to pay for the VikeQueens stadium. Nevermind I’ll never be able to afford to go to a game there.
Since when? When do property rights trump the Constitution? Simply because you own property (which is ironic in this case because the stadium was built with public funds) does not give you cart blanche with regard to rules. Do you, as a property owner, have the right to detain someone against their will? Can a property owner forbid your religion? Or make you observe theirs?
Why not exempt military as well?
And union members...
and ...
Yes. But I support changing the law so that it recognizes that right.
I do not support the flaunting of a law by an arrogant monopolistic corporation which declares itself above the law.
That is an interesting debate. I have contemplated it and agree in 99% of instances. Within the confines of private property rights and associated "trespassing" violations regarding an establishment's right to deny service, I normally agree with you.
However, we have established there are limits on who a business can serve in cases where individual rights tend to trump business rights (whether right or wrong). A business is not allowed to refuse service or hospitality based on race or religion. That's discrimination. So can a business' property rights trump individual rights?
I'm not just talking about police here but all legal carry citizens. I also think there is a difference based on the service provided. One way or another, I won't patronize establishments that will not allow me to legally carry concealed.
People pay obscene prices to attend game where players are paid obscene salary’s to pay owners and league official obscene salary’s and have no voice in anything.
Can’t wait until the day it becomes touch football and the players wear dresses and the score does not matter and everyone wins. The the price of the cheapest seats are $1000.00 per game, restroom charge $100.00 per visit and a hotdog costs $250.00 without mustard which ill cost and additional $75.00.
Rush’s prediction will eventually come true and the NFL will be the flag football league with Winter Olympic ratings and Bob Costas half-time lectures.
F the NFL.
Can I detain you against your will? No. That is an overt act which harms another person. That is not permitted on either private or public property (unless of course, you have attempted to harm me and I am detaining you while awaiting the police)..
Can I forbid you from practicing your religion on MY private property? Yes - to the extent that I can make you leave if I do not like your religion, or for any reason I choose, or for no reason at all.
Can I require you to observe my religious beliefs on MY private property? Yes - to the extant that I can make you leave if you refuse to observe my religious practices, or for any other reason I choose, or for no reason at all.
I probably won’t end up with very many friends, but that is not the issue.
The Constitution restricts the government, not individuals on their own property. The Constitution respects private property.
Perhaps people should reconsider whether it is a productive use of their time and money to pay obscene prices to attend a game where players are paid obscene salary’s to pay owners and league official obscene salary’s and where they have no voice in anything.
But until they do, the market is deciding that the behavior of the NFL is acceptable.
Yes!
They pay the football commissioner $28,000,000.00 per year and then play the superball game in jersey. Boy that really, really, really worked out well for the fans.
Gays welcomed, off duty cops not welcomed.
That makes so much sense! Then businesses open to the general public can ban black citizens from their premises. ( /sarc )
Most stadiums that host NFL games are owned by the public, not by the NFL.
Last summer, I went to a Kansas City Royals day game. No guns allowed in the parking lot or in the stadium, so it stayed home. After the game, I encountered a road rage situation leaving the stadium. Some guy who hadn't been to the game was upset with the traffic jam and started pushing through the jam with his truck. I refused to move and was threatened with my life. The 911 operator was not helpful, and even though police were only about 2 blocks away, no help was sent. Fortunately, the guy wasn't armed, if he had been, the police would have been tracing my body in chalk.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.