The sheriff who brought a gun to a hockey game. The arena who refused him admission. Which side has the legal upper hand here?
Spokane’s top sheriff Ozzie Knezovich showed u at the Spokane Arena to watch a law enforcement charity hockey game. He wasn’t in uniform, although he did have his badge on him. Knezovich was stopped by arena officials after he went to the entryway with a concealed pistol. He had to disarm himself to be allowed to continue in to watch the game.
If he had been in uniform, he could have kept his gun, apparently. It is clear in the Washington state law and the state constitution that law enforcement officials can carry their weapons.
The sheriff says the arena is breaking state law by denying entry to licensed concealed carry permit holders. The arena on the other hand, believes it is just trying to keep people safe.
Knezovich said after the fact that the arena’s policy is concerning because if he has a plain clothes detective that needs to enter the arena to continue trailing a criminal, being stopped at the checkpoint could mean a disruption into the investigation. The arena is thinking about changing their policy and allowing in armed officers who are not in uniform.
“They have looked at their policy, and that policy is going to be scrapped,” Knezovich told KXLY News. “All law enforcement, on and off duty, will be able to enter the arena carrying their weapons.”
Image from kxly.com
