NY Times: Examining Fans' Rights to Jeer at Games

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

From the story: "But many stadiums and arenas constructed with some public financing, or built on state land or land operated by a municipal authority, could be viewed as public entities. In that setting, a government cannot force citizens to surrender constitutional rights like free speech."

Abusive speech is not protected speech. And the right to free speech does not mean you have the right to use someone else's property to engage in it; even public property.

Mark, your reference to the 2nd amendment is spot on as well. Try walking into a county court house with your side arm some time. For that matter, try taking your side arm into the same municipal stadium that the Times thinks you should be able to freely express your speech in.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Mark, your reference to the 2nd amendment is spot on as well. Try walking into a county court house with your side arm some time. For that matter, try taking your side arm into the same municipal stadium that the Times thinks you should be able to freely express your speech in.

Big difference. Neither of those venues (court house or stadium) are prohibiting you from bearing arms...they're denying you entry as long as you are bearing arms.

This is not a lot different than players wearing jewelry...we don't tell them to take it out, we only tell them they're not going to play with it in.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Big difference. Neither of those venues (court house or stadium) are prohibiting you from bearing arms...they're denying you entry as long as you are bearing arms.

This is not a lot different than players wearing jewelry...we don't tell them to take it out, we only tell them they're not going to play with it in.

And Johnny Knucklehead isn't being told he can't say whatever he wants. He just can't do it inside this venue at this time.