NYPD union president urging NFL to allow on-duty, off-duty officers to carry guns into stadiums

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The leader of one of New York City police unions is calling for the NFL to change its policy prohibiting officers from carrying guns into stadiums, citing the recent attacks in Paris.

Sgt. Ed Mullins, the president of NYPD's Sergeants Benevolent Association, has created an online petition that is trying to change the NFL's policy, which currently prohibits on- and off-duty, as well as retired police officers from carrying firearms into NFL stadiums.

The petition has about 1,900 out of the 2,500 it is seeking, as of Wednesday afternoon.

Mullins called the NFL's rule "illogical."

"This is not only a law enforcement issue, it is a public safety issue that must be immediately addressed," said Mullins an email. "NFL stadiums are often publicly funded and receive monetary incentives paid by tax dollars."

Joe Giacalone, a former NYPD detective sergeant and now adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said he believes there are issues to consider before a change can be made.

"If we're going to have officers allowed to be armed there should be some sort of determination that they are not allowed to have any alcohol beverages while they are doing it, because that can be another potential problem," Giacalone said.

The comments on the petition addressed a few different points:

"There are two exemptions -- the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans which convinced the league that Texas gun laws supersede NFL policy."

And:

"I refuse to go anywhere where I can not be armed. No Way!!!!! I'm sure the people in France wish that there were off duty or retired armed cops at those events.

But one person we talked with disagreed.

"I don't like guns."

Reporter: "You wouldn't favor it?"

"No, I don't favor it. There are enough guns around."

"I think people are going to have a more stronger tone about who they want armed and where they want them armed," said Giacalone.

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