Dad brings rifle to Vadnais Heights hockey practice, police called
October 05, 2020 - 8:44 PM
A youth hockey association and Ramsey County are examining their weapons policies after a father with a rifle hanging on his shoulder walked his young son into a Vadnais Heights ice arena.
Law enforcement officers were called to the TCO Sports Garden on Sept. 26 in response to a weapons complaint, and a report about the incident says the matter was referred to the city attorney.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department, which provides police service for Vadnais Heights, declined to provide additional details. It’s unclear why the man brought the firearm to the ice arena.
“Ramsey County is taking this incident very seriously. This situation caused significant alarm among users of the arena facility in Vadnais Heights — including young children and their parents — and county employees,” according to a statement from Ramsey County. “We have been informed that the incident is currently being reviewed by the Vadnais Heights City Attorney’s Office for consideration of possible violations of applicable laws related to carrying a firearm without a permit.”
County leaders and attorneys from the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office will meet this week to consider ways to prevent similar incidents from occurring in all Ramsey County facilities in accordance with existing state and local laws.
A photo of the armed father and his elementary school-age son, dressed in pads and carrying his hockey stick, has widely circulated among parents in the White Bear Lake Hockey Association.
“A bunch of parents are obviously very concerned,” said one parent with connections to the hockey association who asked not to be named for fear of retribution against their children.
Chad Marquardt, president of the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association, declined to comment, saying it’s an open investigation.
In a letter to parents obtained by the Star Tribune, the association said it is working with Ramsey County to ensure the safety of participants. The association initially said it would ask for signs to be posted making it clear weapons are not allowed at the arena, but it noted in a subsequent letter that Minnesota statute prohibits such signs at Ramsey County facilities.
“Additionally, our board is updating association policies to reflect a stance on weapons. The association has ZERO tolerance for weapons of any kind on the premise of any hockey event,” the letter said. “Any person who carries a weapon on the premises of a hockey event will be banned from ALL rinks, no exceptions. Our handbook will soon reflect this updated policy.”
Glen Andresen, executive director of Minnesota Hockey, the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in Minnesota, said he was made aware of the incident.
“In my time as executive director, this is the first time that an issue like this has arisen in Minnesota Hockey,” Andresen said.
He said the organization’s governing board will examine a policy that addresses weapons at games and practices.
“I can understand why any parent at the arena at that time or who is a member of the association would be upset with that situation,” he said.
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Dad brings rifle to Vadnais Heights hockey practice, police called
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greybeard58
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O-townClown
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Re: Dad brings rifle to Vadnais Heights hockey practice, police called
Did he break a law in doing so? It doesn’t sound like it. Did he break a “policy” that might very well be illegal? Probably. As long as he had a permit he is allowed to open carry a handgun or long gun. Minnesota is an open carry state, there are restrictions like in a courtroom or school. The law is clear, if you have a permit you are allowed to open carry in public places. Statute 614.714
Really? This made news? No mention of if he had a permit. Someone acting in accordance with state law is now news? What next? A driver was going the speed limit? The Red Star is not news anymore.
If you don’t like the law, change it.
Really? This made news? No mention of if he had a permit. Someone acting in accordance with state law is now news? What next? A driver was going the speed limit? The Red Star is not news anymore.
If you don’t like the law, change it.
Re: Dad brings rifle to Vadnais Heights hockey practice, police called
No, two different statutes. If the rink was rented by a school then it would be different. The open carry statute is very specific.
My employer has legal signs saying no firearms are permitted. Legally, as an employee, these only apply to me. A patient with a legal permit can posses a firearm on our premises. We can refuse care but not if they go to the ER. We deal with this monthly.
How things have changed...... when I was in high school in the 1980’s we would bring our shotguns into school because we went pheasant hunting over lunch. Nobody cared, you went to the office before school and told them you had a shotgun in your locker......we decided who was driving between classes and having everything in your locker saved time for us that had lunch and an open hour back to back.
My employer has legal signs saying no firearms are permitted. Legally, as an employee, these only apply to me. A patient with a legal permit can posses a firearm on our premises. We can refuse care but not if they go to the ER. We deal with this monthly.
How things have changed...... when I was in high school in the 1980’s we would bring our shotguns into school because we went pheasant hunting over lunch. Nobody cared, you went to the office before school and told them you had a shotgun in your locker......we decided who was driving between classes and having everything in your locker saved time for us that had lunch and an open hour back to back.
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greybeard58
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Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
Everyone has the responsibility to act in a moral way to be safe around their fellow citizens. A person bringing a rifle into a public space uncased is not acting in a responsible manor. If in case there were others in attendance that had legal concealed carry permits and had a legal weapon on their person and the person with the rifle made a move to shift the weapon a bad situation could have occurred. In my opinion if you a hunting or at the range open carry is fine however in a public building keep your weapons at home in a locked safe if you feel you need a weapon because you are scared then stay home. In all cases your rights only go as far as another persons rights begin.
Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
"No weapons" signs posted after a father with an assault rifle walked his young son into a county ice arena.
After a parent brought a rifle to a youth hockey practice, Ramsey County officials have decided to post signs banning “dangerous weapons” at county-owned ice arenas and indoor facilities — with an exception for those with a legal permit to carry a gun.
County leaders agreed to post the signs after a father with an AK-15 rifle hanging on his shoulder walked his young son into the county-owned TCO Sports Garden in Vadnais Heights on Sept. 26.
Law enforcement officers were called, and no one was injured. But concerned parents with the White Bear Lake Hockey Association sounded the alarm and began circulating a photo of the armed father accompanying his elementary school-age son, dressed in pads and carrying his hockey stick.
“We will start posting those signs at our facilities so it’s very clear,” said county spokesman John Siqveland. “It’s similar to the language and approach that Hennepin County uses.”
The signs will read: “Ramsey County bans dangerous weapons on these premises. This ban does not apply to law-abiding persons holding valid pistol permits issued pursuant to Minn. Stat. 624.714.”
Siqveland said county officials also are exploring posting the signs at outdoor parks.
Officials consulted with the county attorney’s office on what actions might be taken after the September incident. State law requires exceptions for those with legal permits to carry. As of early October, there were more than 330,000 active permits in Minnesota, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, which provides police service for Vadnais Heights and responded to the call at the ice arena, declined to provide additional details on the incident other than to say the case had been forwarded to the city attorney’s office. It’s unclear why the man brought the firearm to the ice arena.
According to a statement released by Ramsey County this month, the incident was being reviewed by the Vadnais Heights City Attorney’s Office for “possible violations of applicable laws related to carrying a firearm without a permit.” Mark Gaughan, the city’s attorney, said Friday that the matter remained under investigation.
Roy Magnuson, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said the deputies who responded to the call were able to resolve the situation without incident.
“We are very appreciative that signage will go up that provides clarity,” he said.
Officials with the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association declined to comment for this story. But in a letter to parents obtained by the Star Tribune, the association said it was working with Ramsey County to ensure the safety of program participants.
“Additionally, our board is updating association policies to reflect a stance on weapons,” the letter said. “The association has ZERO tolerance for weapons of any kind on the premises of any hockey event. Any person who carries a weapon on the premises of a hockey event will be banned from ALL rinks, no exceptions. Our handbook will soon reflect this updated policy.”
Glen Andresen, executive director of Minnesota Hockey, which oversees youth and amateur hockey in the state, has said he was aware of the incident. He said the organization’s governing board will examine a policy that addresses weapons at games and practices.
Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
Read more: https://www.startribune.com/ramsey-coun ... 572863551/
Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
"No weapons" signs posted after a father with an assault rifle walked his young son into a county ice arena.
After a parent brought a rifle to a youth hockey practice, Ramsey County officials have decided to post signs banning “dangerous weapons” at county-owned ice arenas and indoor facilities — with an exception for those with a legal permit to carry a gun.
County leaders agreed to post the signs after a father with an AK-15 rifle hanging on his shoulder walked his young son into the county-owned TCO Sports Garden in Vadnais Heights on Sept. 26.
Law enforcement officers were called, and no one was injured. But concerned parents with the White Bear Lake Hockey Association sounded the alarm and began circulating a photo of the armed father accompanying his elementary school-age son, dressed in pads and carrying his hockey stick.
“We will start posting those signs at our facilities so it’s very clear,” said county spokesman John Siqveland. “It’s similar to the language and approach that Hennepin County uses.”
The signs will read: “Ramsey County bans dangerous weapons on these premises. This ban does not apply to law-abiding persons holding valid pistol permits issued pursuant to Minn. Stat. 624.714.”
Siqveland said county officials also are exploring posting the signs at outdoor parks.
Officials consulted with the county attorney’s office on what actions might be taken after the September incident. State law requires exceptions for those with legal permits to carry. As of early October, there were more than 330,000 active permits in Minnesota, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, which provides police service for Vadnais Heights and responded to the call at the ice arena, declined to provide additional details on the incident other than to say the case had been forwarded to the city attorney’s office. It’s unclear why the man brought the firearm to the ice arena.
According to a statement released by Ramsey County this month, the incident was being reviewed by the Vadnais Heights City Attorney’s Office for “possible violations of applicable laws related to carrying a firearm without a permit.” Mark Gaughan, the city’s attorney, said Friday that the matter remained under investigation.
Roy Magnuson, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said the deputies who responded to the call were able to resolve the situation without incident.
“We are very appreciative that signage will go up that provides clarity,” he said.
Officials with the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association declined to comment for this story. But in a letter to parents obtained by the Star Tribune, the association said it was working with Ramsey County to ensure the safety of program participants.
“Additionally, our board is updating association policies to reflect a stance on weapons,” the letter said. “The association has ZERO tolerance for weapons of any kind on the premises of any hockey event. Any person who carries a weapon on the premises of a hockey event will be banned from ALL rinks, no exceptions. Our handbook will soon reflect this updated policy.”
Glen Andresen, executive director of Minnesota Hockey, which oversees youth and amateur hockey in the state, has said he was aware of the incident. He said the organization’s governing board will examine a policy that addresses weapons at games and practices.
Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
Read more: https://www.startribune.com/ramsey-coun ... 572863551/