Coach with a gun

[williebfree]

I view this action by the coach (police officer) as poor judgement, UNLESS he previously coordinated (and recieved approval) with game management. In that case, "Let the game begin!"

I disagree with your analogy. Pens and pencils are readily available at the scorer's table. Guns are prohibited in school zones without pre-approved authorization. (Was that intended as a sarcastic "tongue-in-cheek" analogy? )

Additionally, the original post indicated that this officer was probably not in his jurisdiction. Again, I do not see justification for him to "carry a piece" while on the bench, unless there are extenuating circumstances. I would argue that we are obligated to involve game management as part of an information flow. I know if I were game management I would want to be aware of this.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally posted by Barry C. Morris

I guess I couldn't coach either since I'm a CPA. I couldn't sit on a bench so near children since they could get so geeked up on the passion of the game that they steal my .5mm Pentel pencil and jab it through someone's neck.

Did you hear the one about the constipated accountant? He's OK now - he penciled it out.

[Barry C. Morris]

Mark, Here are a few of my favorites:

What does an accountant use for birth control?

His personality.

When does a person decide to become an
accountant?

When he realizes he doesn't have the charisma
to sell insurance.

What's an extroverted accountant?

One who looks at your shoes instead of his own
shoes when he's talking to you.

There are three kinds of accountants in the
world.

Those who can count and those who can't.

[ChetLJ]

It may seem harmelss enough to allow a gun on the bench with a law wnforcement officer/coach. But, things can get out of hand. Last year in a game we stopped the game because we saw a red light on the cheek of one of the visiting team players. It turned out to be a parent, yes an adult, in the bleachers, with a laser pointer and she was pointing it at the EYES of the visiting team. Needless to say we had law enforcement officers working the game to escort her out of the gym. It is just better for an ounce of prevention. She could have seriously injured someone. Who knows, the coach's gun could have fallen to the floor and discharged. Ever think about that?

[Brian Watson]

Originally posted by Barry C. Morris
I find it hard to believe that some of you would actually tell a police officer (who maintains arrest authority 24 hours a day and is probably required to carry a gun at all times) that he couldn't sit on the bench wearing his gun.

Come on folks, he's not on the floor playing.

I guess I couldn't coach either since I'm a CPA. I couldn't sit on a bench so near children since they could get so geeked up on the passion of the game that they steal my .5mm Pentel pencil and jab it through someone's neck.

Cops should be able to carry their weapon, but there is a line.

I'll tell you why this guy should not be on the bench. Recently in a scholl a county over the police chief and his brother accosted the football coach after the game over playing time for the brothers son. One thing led to another and a fight ensued. Now if this guy was packing.....

[Barry C. Morris]

Originally posted by ChetLJ
It may seem harmelss enough to allow a gun on the bench with a law wnforcement officer/coach. But, things can get out of hand. Last year in a game we stopped the game because we saw a red light on the cheek of one of the visiting team players. It turned out to be a parent, yes an adult, in the bleachers, with a laser pointer and she was pointing it at the EYES of the visiting team. Needless to say we had law enforcement officers working the game to escort her out of the gym. It is just better for an ounce of prevention. She could have seriously injured someone. Who knows, the coach's gun could have fallen to the floor and discharged. Ever think about that?

It may seem harmless enough to allow a roof over the top of the court but things can get out of hand. Who knows, the roof supports could give in and fall to the floor. Ever think about that?

By the way, were the Law enforcement officers who escorted the laser-wielding parent out of the gym wearing firearms? If they were, how was the falling gun danger eliminated in this case. Where I'm from, the police security stand at the exits to the gym (usually about 7 feet from the endline) and are closer to the players than the coaches throughout most of the games. Are the kids in danger in this case? Perhaps we shouldn't allow security in the gym.

I'm sorry. I don't mean anything personally but the "falling gun" argument is ridiculous.

[ChuckElias]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry C. Morris

It may seem harmless enough to allow a roof over the top of the court but things can get out of hand. Who knows, the roof supports could give in and fall to the floor. Ever think about that?

Sorry, Barry, but the roof is necessary for playing the game. The officer's firearm is clearly not. It's not necessary for his coaching duties. It's not necessary for his personal protection, assuming that there is other law enforcement present (as is true at most HS games, at least in my area). There is absolutely not one single good reason for allowing him to be on the bench with a firearm.

By the way, were the Law enforcement officers who escorted the laser-wielding parent out of the gym wearing firearms? If they were, how was the falling gun danger eliminated in this case. Where I'm from, the police security stand at the exits to the gym (usually about 7 feet from the endline) and are closer to the players than the coaches throughout most of the games. Are the kids in danger in this case?

Again, Barry, these law enforcement officers are there to provide law enforcement. The firearm is essential for that duty. Their focus is entirely on their jobs as police officers. The chances of them losing their composure due to the game situation, or of them being disarmed, are extremely low compared to the coach on the bench, who is directly and emotionally involved in the game.

I'm sorry. I don't mean anything personally but the "falling gun" argument is ridiculous.

As much as I dislike firearms in general, especially around children, I have to agree with you. I've read studies that show the probability of a gun accidently discharging when dropped to be nearly nil.

I am not going to tell him that he has to remove the firearm, but I will tell him that he may not sit on the bench with it.

Chuck

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

First, police officers have full arrest powers 24 hours day within their jurisdiction. Second, most officers have authority (read: are not required) to carry their weapons at all times. And even if an officer is required to carry his weapon at all times, I would have to believe that their are exceptions to the rule.

The officer in this posting used extremely poor judgement in having his weapon with him on the bench. If I were the Referee in this game, I would not care what arrangement the coach had made with game management, the police officer would have two choices:

1) Leave his weapon in a secure place and be bench personnel. Or,

2) Be a fan in the stands, WITHOUT his weapon.

NFHS R2-S3 gives the Referee authority to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the Rules. And, this is one of them.

The police officer may required to wear his weapon at all times, but he does not have an absolute to participate in the game. The Referee is in control of everything between the lines and that includes the team benches and the scorer/timer table and in the case of an armed fan. There are times when the Referee has as to use his brains (and his intestinal fortitude) and grab the bull by the tail and face the situation. While I would normally advise game management about problem fans and let them handle the fan using their best judgement, this is one of the few times I would have no probem requiring game management to not allow a fan (including an off-duty police offer) with a weapon to be allowed within the confines of the gym or building. A high school athletic event is no place for an armed coach or an armed fan.

As the father of two boys (ages 8 and 11) who are active in sports, if a coach of either team showed up on the bench for one of their games, they would not be participating in that game unless the weapon was removed.