Arkansas reportedly fears for its future in the SEC if guns are allowed inside Razorback Stadium
Several days after Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed measure House Bill 1249 into law, a decision that could make it legal to carry a concealed firearm into Razorback Stadium — possibly as soon as Sept. 1, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey finally voiced his opinion regarding the possible safety concerns the law could have for everyone inside the stadium on game days.
According to Arkansas radio host Bo Mattingly, of Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly, some inside the Arkansas program fear the new law could jeopardize the future of the school inside the Southeastern Conference.
UA sources fear If law ends up allowing guns in stadiums it could be end of their SEC membership. We'll discuss w/ @CollinsARK at 2pm cst.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) March 28, 2017
The Arkansas state government is still working out the details of the law before it becomes final, but the concern of some inside the University of Arkansas program is likely to give those in power some second thoughts when it comes to finalizing the finished product. Even if many of the government officials aren’t particularly big followers of Razorback/SEC football, imagine the outrage inside the state if this law led to the SEC voting to remove the school from its ranks.
While that extreme measure is unlikely to ultimately happen, if it does, good luck to those officials come re-election cycle.
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It really is a bad idea, combine guns, passion, and alcohol and the reality of a bad outcome is pretty certain, and I dont care a whit what the pro gun people will say about no “responsible” gun owner would ever … blah blah blah, its not the responsible gun owner to be feared its the irresponsible gun owner who hasnt been put in a position to do something really stupid, Like that professor screaming at Coach B, just think if he was also a gun owner who had his gun with him? Lets keep the stadiums and arenas and fields safe for all attendees from athletes to fans.
Agreed. Allowing guns inside a football stadium is an incredibly stupid idea.
Yes, what the hell is even the purpose for bringing a gun to a football game anyway?
There WILL be that one idiot if guns are allowed in the stadium
Wouldn’t the University’s weapon policy, which prohibits firearms on campus or areas controlled by the University, supersede this law?
This law is in response to Universities weapons policy banning firearms. This Bill makes such policies null and void. Pretty stupid.
This and the other articles are just ridiculous
This decision to ever allow guns in a crowded stadium would be the Heisman trophy of stupid. Even Arkansas politicians know better than ever allowing such nonsense to get to the hands of the commissioner.
This law is blown way out of proportion. You won’t be able to carry inside a stadium. The law is to carry on campus, and they can turn you away. They will check at the gate, and they won’t allow people to bring it inside the stadium. Use your brains people. No good thing can come from an 87,000 capacity stadium with guns in it. A class room, with a mass shooter, is a different story. This is the point of the law. To hope to prevent a VT incident.
Don’t believe everything you read. This idea, is literally fake news.
Sensationalism at it’s finest/worst. Stay strong Arky. Don’t let these “clocks not glocks” types bring you down.
*cocks – stupid autocorrect and no edit
I am not for guns at any sporting event, I’ve seen full blown brawls at little league games……
You could at least print the facts and let folks know how this came about, it was for protection on campus.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has signed a bill regarding a person’s ability to carry a concealed handgun into various buildings at a public university or college into state law. However, House Bill 1249 will not allow all legal gun owners to carry a gun to a football game in the state of Arkansas.
Football games will be considered a “sensitive area,” which require enhanced training in order to be allowed to carry a gun into a football stadium. The law supposedly trumps any provisions already in place to prevent guns from being allowed on the premises.
“The enhanced level of training is very important, and I am convinced the public will be more safe,” Governor Hutchinson said. “This bill, in my view, reflects the view of the general assembly.”
This is what I meant in my comments above, that this and other articles about Joe Public packing inside the stadium wasn’t exactly true – but the articles didn’t convey that part of it. It was in 2006 that a lone student at OU got within 170 yards of the stadium there in Norman that was packed with OU fans watching the Sooners. His bomb vest went off on accident and he blew himself up. Don’t think for a moment he wasn’t going to go inside the stadium and set it off there. It is for these reasons and the climate of terrorists randomly attacking that this came into being.