Would you / Do you carry a gun to games?

[AZ_REF]

I was wondering how many fellow officials carry handguns to games. Here in Arizona it is illegal to carry at a school even with a CCW. However all of the police officers that officiate here that I know, carry all the time (they are exempt and it is legal for them to posses a firearm at a school). They leave their gun in their bag in the locker room. It seems to me that I would not leave my gun in my bag unless it was in a locker with a lock on it.

So if you own a gun:

Do you carry to games? Why or why not?

Where do you leave your weapon?

If it is currently illegal to carry at a school, would you carry if it was legal?

If you don't have a gun, would you carry to games if you had one?

If we could keep this to an officiating discussion and not a political discussion, that would be great. Thanks for your input.

[Adam]

Here's the thing. I don't own a weapon. I probably will own one in the future, but don't intend to ever take one to a game.
If I were to become a police officer, that might change. I can't imagine leaving it in the locker room, but that's not my decision to make for other people.

Originally Posted by AZ_REF

If we could keep this to an officiating discussion and not a political discussion, that would be great. Thanks for your input.

Good luck with that. Funny thing about this place, topics rarely stay on topic. When the original poster attempts to limit the scope of responses, well, that's when all he!! tends to break loose.

[AZ_REF]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Here's the thing. I don't own a weapon. I probably will own one in the future, but don't intend to ever take one to a game.
If I were to become a police officer, that might change. I can't imagine leaving it in the locker room, but that's not my decision to make for other people.

Why would you never bring one to a game? I'm not sure if legally I could here, I would either, just wanted to hear your rational. I would never leave it in a locker room, unless it was in a locker and I brought the lock.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Good luck with that. Funny thing about this place, topics rarely stay on topic. When the original poster attempts to limit the scope of responses, well, that's when all he!! tends to break loose.

This can be a pretty touchy subject. I just don't want it to turn into GUNS ARE BAD and YOU'RE BAD FOR HAVING ONE! I'm pretty much expecting all heck to break loose, just figure'd I'd try.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by AZ_REF

Why would you never bring one to a game?

Why would you ever bring one to a game?!?!?!

If your personal safety is at that big a risk, then you probably shouldn't even bother going to the venue. If you don't need it for security, then you don't need it.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by AZ_REF

Why would you never bring one to a game? I'm not sure if legally I could here, I would either, just wanted to hear your rational. I would never leave it in a locker room, unless it was in a locker and I brought the lock.

The risk here is pretty high, getting the weapon stolen. Unless your own security is at risk (which we all seem to agree isn't worth the money), there doesn't seem to be a valid reason worth the risk of getting it stolen. Even if I was a cop, and felt compelled to bring my weapon to the site, I'd most likely leave it in the car and do what I can to ensure the vehicle is as secure as possible. Possibly (this is just a thought), it could be checked with the on-duty police officers who are on site.

As the scrappy one kinda sorta states in post #10, it's not a question of "why not bring it" even if it's allowed. To me, it's a question of, "why bring it." I can't think of a compelling reason.

edited to give credit since it was all but begged for

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

It's not a question of "why not bring it" even if it's allowed. To me, it's a question of, "why bring it."

I agree with this. In fact, it sounds a little familiar. Oh yeah, post #10 in this thread: "Why would you ever bring one to a game?!?!?!"

[rainmaker]

I would never carry a gun to a game.

I would never carry a gun, period.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I agree with this. In fact, it sounds a little familiar. Oh yeah, post #10 in this thread: "Why would you ever bring one to a game?!?!?!"

I was answering a question directed at me, Scrapper. He was entitled to my opinion, even if it did happen to agree with one already posted.

However, I've gone back and edited my post to give you credit for saying it first.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

edited to give credit since it was all but begged for

LOL. So untrue!! I was merely pointing out that we agreed! Sure. . .

[SamIAm]

You definitley should not carry a gun if you have to ask other's to help you decide whether you should bring it or leave it at home and why.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by AZ_REF

Why would you never bring one to a game?

WHY would you carry a gun to a game? That's CRAZY.

If you're law enforcement and your job requires it, that's one thing. But otherwise, I see nothing positive in doing that.

[JRutledge]

All I will say to you is you better be careful. Carrying a gun has all kinds of regulations with it that can sometimes vary by jurisdiction. I know cops that cannot bring guns to certain areas (especially if they are not on duty). I do not own a gun. If I did own a gun not sure I would ever bring it to school where I was working a game. Just this Friday I was told a story about an officer working a game and he brought his gun to school. Then the gun along with other things was stolen. He got in a little bit of trouble with that one. I am sure the each state has different laws and that can change many things. I think more things can go wrong than can go right.

Peace

[Texas Aggie]

Texas won't allow you to carry IN a school (parking lots OK, as long as it stays in the vehicle) and they won't allow carry at a sporting event, pro or amateur.

If you are worried about your own security, you need to either 1) make sure sufficient security is there; 2) hire your own security; or 3) not accept the assignment. No game is worth a breach of my personal security. I have a couple of contacts that are Texas peace officers and would probably go to a game with me if I needed them. I hope it doesn't come to that, as I will then seriously consider quitting.

[AZ_REF]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Texas won't allow you to carry IN a school (parking lots OK, as long as it stays in the vehicle) and they won't allow carry at a sporting event, pro or amateur.

If you are worried about your own security, you need to either 1) make sure sufficient security is there; 2) hire your own security; or 3) not accept the assignment. No game is worth a breach of my personal security. I have a couple of contacts that are Texas peace officers and would probably go to a game with me if I needed them. I hope it doesn't come to that, as I will then seriously consider quitting.

Same laws in AZ. Although if you have a CCW, you may be able to carry to sporting events, that's something I need to check.

I would never accept an assignment where I felt I needed a gun with me for my own safety. 99% of all varsity games here have at least 2 uniformed officers at the gym, and I've seen very few issues here (thank god).

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AZ_REF

Same laws in AZ. Although if you have a CCW, you may be able to carry to sporting events, that's something I need to check.

I would never accept an assignment where I felt I needed a gun with me for my own safety. 99% of all varsity games here have at least 2 uniformed officers at the gym, and I've seen very few issues here (thank god).

Then why carry a gun?

Peace