By Craig Hlavaty
Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — A letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from the National Fraternal Order of Police is asking the league to allow off-duty and retired law enforcement officials to carry concealed firearms into NFL stadiums on game day.
National FOP president Chuck Canterbury originally sent the letter on Nov. 20, which argues that having the extra hands on deck in a stadium could deter a terrorist attack.
“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,” writes Canterbury.
This letter came within days of the events in and around Paris which resulted in deaths at the hands of ISIS terrorists at a music venues, cafes, and a soccer stadium.
“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,” he continues.
In 2013 the NFL officially prohibited the lawful carry of firearms in stadium, training facilities, and offices. That decision of course was met with some consternation from gun rights advocates around the country who found it insulting to off-duty or retired law enforcement officials. Security staff and on-duty police in uniform are still armed at stadium and facilities as needed.
The sticking point appeared to be the concept of off-duty state, local and federal law enforcement being prohibited from carrying. Some argued that in many ways they are never really off-duty.
Of course average fans attending games can’t bring firearms into NFL stadiums as it is. Anyone who’s been to an NFL game (or most sporting events for that matter) in recent years knows that security measures have only gotten more strenuous.
Canterbury closed the letter imploring Goodell to take action in some way on the gun matter.
“I know you cannot compel all venues and facilities to change their policies with respect to lawful carriage of firearms, but you can lift the current prohibition, which I strongly urge you to do,” Canterbury wrote.
Opponents of allowing off-duty law enforcement to conceal carry at NFL stadiums have long said that there would be a risk of plain clothes officers being on the receiving end of gunfire in a confusing situation, not to mention it would more likely than not lead to the injury or death of civilians.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday that the decision was made back in 2013 with sound reasoning and input from various public safety organizations.
“We concluded that public safety inside NFL stadiums on game days would be best-served by the carrying of firearms by on-duty officers specifically assigned to work the game as part of the comprehensive public safety plan for the event,” McCarthy said.
“This approach has been certified by the Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act (Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies),” McCarthy added.
He reminded that off-duty officers don’t always have the full story on game day either.
“Off-duty officers attend games as spectators and are unknown to working law enforcement officers and security personnel. They may not have the same training and do not participate in the weekly preparation meetings,” McCarthy said. “They are not included in the on-site chain of command. The well-intentioned display or use of gun could have serious unintended and potentially tragic consequences.”
For the foreseeable future those handguns will need to stay in the car while off-duty fans cheer on their favorite team.
“We have the highest respect for people in law enforcement and the full confidence in their ability to enforce the law and protect public safety,” McCarthy said.
Copyright 2015 the Houston Chronicle