Mifflinburg PA: Man with gun at football game

[gnbrotz]

Since there has been no solid info emerge to validate this rumor, I'm closing the thread. If such information surfaces, I'll be happy to reopen it.

[gnbrotz]

Reopening this thread in light of new information.

http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/l...298080100.html

Published October 24, 2008 08:01 am - A Watsontown auxiliary police officer is facing charges for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun to a youth football game at Mifflinburg Area High School last weekend.

Police: Man had gun on school property
He's a Watsontown auxiliary officer


MIFFLINBURG -- A Watsontown auxiliary police officer is facing charges for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun to a youth football game at Mifflinburg Area High School last weekend.

Clinton S. Mettler, 26, of Watsontown, allegedly had his registered Ruger semi-automatic handgun concealed while watching the midget football game Sunday in the bleachers, according to Mifflinburg police. When confronted by football league officials and asked to leave the school property, Mettler became "agitated and claimed he could be in possession of the handgun" because he was on duty 24 hours a day, officers said.

Cpl. Wade Danley, of the Watsontown police, said the department's auxiliary police officers act almost like fire police, helping with parades and other functions, but have no arrest powers.

"(Mettler's gun) is something he had personally," Danley said. "It has nothing to do with us."

Mettler had a permit for the handgun issued by the Northumberland County Sheriff's Department and a Watsontown Police Department auxiliary police officer badge, Mifflinburg police said. They said he had a full magazine and an additional round chambered.

Mettler was charged with possessing a weapon on school property. The gun and holster were confiscated.

[autoMATTic]

Took a little while to make the paper but I guess it was true.

[Zef_66]

Hey, at least the guy had the gun registered and had a permit!

Is there any thought about contacting this person to hear his side of the story?

[daschnoz]

snip

... allegedly had his registered Ruger semi-automatic handgun ...

/snip

If no registry exists, how is the gun registered??????

[brewguy]

Reopening this thread in light of new information.

http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/l...298080100.html

Great.

I guess this addresses the no guns on school property issue.

[gnbrotz]

I wonder how they knew to "confront him and ask him to leave"? Also, if he had done so, would he have still been charged?

[Zef_66]

I wonder how they knew to "confront him and ask him to leave"? Also, if he had done so, would he have still been charged?

According to the OP, didn't someone see his gun? Like maybe he was sitting in the stands and someone saw it printing or riding up?

Just a guess.

[gnbrotz]

According to the OP, didn't someone see his gun? Like maybe he was sitting in the stands and someone saw it printing or riding up?

Just a guess.

The only thing we've really gained is that it appears there was indeed a "man with a gun at a football game". Beyond that, we're pretty much still left to play "maybe" and "what if".

[FFEMT128]

Could be an interesting case to watch how it plays out. As previously stated, it addresses the Guns and School issue. Unfortunately his initial claim was that he was on duty 24/7, referencing that possession at the time was due to be an auxiliary PD officer. Wonder if their posistion if it goes to court will be changed to reflect the consensus here that "other lawful purpose" includes self defense.