The state of Texas will be exempt from a new NFL policy that prohibits off-duty police officers from carrying their firearms in NFL stadiums. D.C Police Chief Cathy Lanier accepted a job as Senior Vice President of Security for the NFL earlier this month. One of her first acts in office was to issue a memo stating “off-duty officers who attempt to bring firearms into an NFL facility will be denied entry.” The policy allows only on on-duty officers specifically assigned to work security at the games to carry weapons. Private security officers contracted to the stadium are also permitted to be armed under Lanier’s policy. Fortunately, the great state of Texas has a state law that supersedes NFL policy.
According to Texas state law off-duty police officers are allowed to carry firearms at all times due to their oath to “protect and serve” the public. Ron Pinkston of the Dallas Police Association points out that prohibiting officers from carrying their weapons would prevent them from doing their duties. He told KTXA:
“Our officers are 24/7, on or off duty, and if they run into a critical incident – they are required to take action. Our officers will be allowed to carry their weapon into AT&T Stadium and other football stadiums in the State of Texas due to Texas law.”
If police officers witness a critical incident, such as a terror attack or other violent outbursts, they are required by law to take action. Police officers in Texas will be allowed to retain their firearms as long as they check in with stadium security and notify them of where they will be sitting thanks to this law.
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