Off-Duty Officers May Bring Guns to Vikings Games

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Hennepin County court has struck down an NFL policy preventing off-duty Minnesota police officers from bringing their firearms to Vikings games.

Two police organizations challenged the rule, arguing that NFL policy cannot trump state law.

The court ruled Thursday in favor of the organizations: the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis. The ruling applies only in Minnesota.

An NFL spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The police groups argued that even off-duty officers need to be armed at Vikings games. They say it allows officers to protect themselves and the public at a moment's notice.

The NFL argued that rules regarding property ownership and the liability limits printed on tickets allowed it to supersede state law.