By Police1 Staff
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Highway Patrol Honor Guard was turned away from a Hornets game when they didn’t turn in their guns.
According to WFMY, the group arrived in full uniform to present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance on Dec. 29, but were told to turn over their weapons if they wanted to enter the arena.
The NBA has a rule barring anyone from entering an arena with a weapon if they’re not acting as security. CMPD officers usually escort the honor guard in to perform their duties.
The arena has a new head of security.
Sgt. Henry Dorty, who was one of the members turned away, told the publication he believes the incident was a misunderstanding and the new security team wasn’t aware of the practices the arena carries out.
Dorty will meet with arena security regarding the incident and says the Honor Guard will gladly serve again in the future.