Atlanta Braves change policy on guns in stadium

ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Braves will no longer allow some off-duty police officers to carry guns at Turner Field, which has prompted objections.

Under the team's new policy, off-duty officers from jurisdictions that don't include Turner Field will no longer be allowed to bring firearms into the stadium.

The policy change will make the ball games less safe, Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins told WSB-TV.

"We are making our environment less safe by taking away the right and ability to carry guns," Perkins said. "Armed good guys stop armed bad guys."

Jerry Henry, of the gun owner advocacy group Georgiacarry.org, said the new policy is "just ridiculous."

``It is not going to help anything, it is just going to make matters worse,'' Henry said. ``If something breaks out in the stands they are there to stop it.''

The Braves said off-duty officers from departments in the stadium's jurisdiction, such as Atlanta police officers and Fulton County sheriff's deputies, may still bring weapons to games if they register them first with Atlanta police.

``Other officers who are not in their jurisdiction will be not be allowed to bring their firearms into Turner Field," the team said in a statement.