Mediaboss Marketing

DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. (localmemphis.com) People are fired up about a weapons policy at the Landers Center. Currently, the venue says anyone not working security at a sporting game needs an empty holster.

However, an elected official is among those who disagree when that person is an off-duty officer.

The Landers Center was very clear on its firearms policy during Memphis Hustle games, like the one Wednesday when an officer attempted to enter with his weapon.

He was told he either had to hand over his weapon, which no police officer is going to do, or he had to leave the event, said Mississippi State Rep. Dana Criswell, who represents District 6.

He did leave the Memphis Hustle game, and the Landers Center says the officer worked at Northwest Community College.

Hes trained to use a weapon. Thats part of his job, said a father, who took his kids to Fridays Hustle game. So, hes going to keep someone like me safe.

State Rep. Criswell shared a post online, captioned no police allowed with and x across the Landers Center building grabbing peoples attention.

The venues executive director tells me they are contractually bound to restrict weapons.

We have a private entity, the Memphis Hustle the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA, that has a LLC agreement with us and they state in there no firearms, explained Landers Center Exec. Director Todd Mastry.

Criswell says its a step too far when that applies to an officer and violates federal law.

When it extends so far as to a police officer in uniform, whosoever policy it is whether its Landers whether who theyre renting it to, I believe the people of DeSoto County have just said thats enough, Criswell said.

DeSoto County became the first in Mississippi Tuesday to become a second amendment safe haven after a vote Tuesday. Its essentially the same as sanctuaries sweeping other counties in the United States.

It says county funds wont be used to restrict the constitutional right to bear arms and will oppose any state and federal restrictions.

Dont be fooled that this is what its about, Mastry said.

He stressed if you come to public county events, like graduations, weapons are allowed inside.

See the article here:
DeSoto County becomes first in Mississippi to be a second amendment safe haven - WATN - Local 24