Command/HQ

Off-Duty Georgia Campus Officers Attending Football Games Told to Leave Guns at Home

Sept. 1, 2016

The police chief of Georgia Southern University has told her officers to leave their department issued guns at home is they are planning on attending a game while off duty.

With the college football season quickly approaching, the police chief of Georgia Southern University has told her officers to leave their department issued guns at home is they are planning on attending a game while off duty.

Police Chief Laura McCullough sent the email out to officers ahead of the season opener on Sept. 3, which also serves as the school's Military Appreciation game, according to AllOnGeorgia.com.

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, which was was passed by Congress in 2004, permits on and off-duty officers to carry their weapons anywhere, with the exception of airplanes and national parks.

Despite that law, federal and state law can be unclear about on whether or not off-duty law enforcement officers can carry on college campuses.

Here is the entirety of the email sent out to officers:

Colleagues,

This football season we will be restricting weapons carry by law enforcement officers in Paulson Stadium. Please share this information with those in your office to whom it applies.

No off duty officers, or officers in plain clothes, will be allowed to bring a weapon, open or concealed, into the stadium. Ony uniformed officers working the venue will be allowed to carry a weapon and they will be recognizable by special wristbands identifying them as Event Police.

Officers who are on duty and want to drop by the stadium for a short period may do so, but must identify themselves to an Event Police Officer at the gate before entry. We ask that any officer dropping by the stadium use only the gates where a uniformed officer is posted.

Law enforcement officers are allowed to have their weapons in their vehicles as long as they are secured and the officer has proper credential showing permission to carry a weapon.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. We do hope to see you all at beautiful Paulson Stadium to help us cheer on the Eagles. Also, remember that this Saturday’s game is Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation with special ticket deals for members of Law Enforcement and their families.

Laura McCullough

Chief of Police

Georgia Southern University Public Safety