Ok here is a situation that I had last year. I had two high school teams that were competeing for the region title. At the start of the game we notice that one of the assistant coaches is wearing a gun and a badge, stating that he was a police officer. Both my partner and I noticed it and discussed it. There were 4 policeman assigned to the game already. Both high schools are very wealthy and really don't have gang or other type problems. We asked the coach what the deal was. He stated that they didn't want to have any problems so he always carries his gun. They were from two seperate counties so I know that he couldn't have any jurisdiction there being the visiting team. We let it slid. In hindsight my partner and I talked about it but I wanted to get some replies from everyone else.

I would report that sort of thing to the actual uniformed police officers in attendance and let them sort out the legality issues.

Personally, I would not let him sit on the bench with any sort of weapon. He is off duty, and is representing his team, not any government source.

I thought it was a typo
 

When I read the post I figured it was a typo.

I couldn't figure out why coaches couldn't have GUM.

I need to get more sleep.

Ren

Re: I thought it was a typo
 

Coach blows a bubble.

TWEET! Technical foul - red coach - bubble gum use.

Coach: What the U*%^#$% was that for??!?!

Ref: Rule 11-32-1 - bench personnel shall not have in their possession any gum. Don't forget the seatbelt rule, coach.

Don't know about the legalitiy issues in the states, but I believe certain types of law enforcment north of the border can carry arms at all times. Some RCMP officers, or any police officer can carry there guns at all times, depending on the circumtances. Some police officers have a legitmate reason to pack a gun, maybe he did too??
just a though

TR

Many Law Enforcement agencies require their officers to carry at all times. I believe the reasoning is that if you're carrying your badge, you need to also carry something to back it up with. Many officers have a reason to. One of my father's best friends, a retired, highly decorated officer, had many death threats given to him by "perps" who may just act on them when they get out of prison. He always has at least one gun on him at all times.

Maybe he wanted to make sure his team got the last SHOT !!!
(one way or the other...)

Would it be in the best interest of everyone involved to have a letter from the state association, stating that this coach is authorized to carry a firearm? It seems that the state governing association should be aware of this coach carrying the firearm, just like they want to be notified of any other incidents. (ie-injuries, ejections, etc.)

Even if he's authorized to carry a gun at all times, that doesn't mean that he has to be allowed on the bench. It's like earrings on players. Sure, you can leave 'em in, but then you can't play.

I'm not sure that I would like to have a firearm on the bench next to children, surrounded by people who may become impassioned by a hard fought or close game. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

Chuck

How about this one - I work as a police officer, and also referee - considering the possible threat to the officials, should I carry my firearm when I work games? (This is said with tongue-in-cheek - obviously, that would be a really stupid thing to do!)

I could just see it now...

"Sit down coach, or I'll make you sit down!"

Excellent point, Dave. That says it all.

Chuck

Hello Game Management
 

I am going to involve (inform) game management with this one.

This is out of my league (and perhaps echelons above my ability to understand). If you already have a security presence, Why does this guy need his gun?

My take is that he is "macho-cop" and wants to "impress" people. My apologies to the majority of law enforcement officers judiciously handle their authority.

I think the difference here is whether he is authorized to carry a firearm, or required to carry his firearm. If authorized, he should use his best judgement and leave the firearm at home. If he is required to carry it, then he should not be held back from coaching because of it. He should however, use some discretion about displaying it. I think he could carry his firearm and badge, and go unnoticed to the general public. Common sense to me.

I would have spoken to local law enforcement working the game and explained the situation. I also would have told the coach with the gun that his firearm was not allowed on the bench and that he was to remove it immediately.

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.

Barry
 

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? :D)

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.

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

Accountant Humor
 

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.

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?

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.....

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.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry C. Morris

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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

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.