According to the NFL memo, "off-duty officers who attempt to bring firearms into an NFL facility will be denied entry," but a Texas state law supersedes NFL policy, and as long as officers check in at a specific gate to inform stadium security where they will be sitting, those officers can keep possession of their weapons.
“Our officers are 24/7, on or off duty, and if they run into a critical incident -- they are required to take action” Ron Pinkston of the Dallas Police Association said. “Our officers will be allowed to carry their weapon into AT&T Stadium and other football stadiums in the State of Texas due to Texas law.”
More via CBS Dallas/Fort Worth:
Texas Police Association president Mac Tristan understands why stadium security would want to know where cops with hidden guns are sitting. “I want a specific plan to know where all of my officers are.” says Tristan.
In other parts of the country, the NFL policy only allows law enforcement officers “specifically assigned to work security at the games, or private security officers contracted for stadium protection” to carry a gun.
Meanwhile, the NFL maintains that there is already enough security at stadiums on game days without the need for an armed off-duty police presence.
