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What’s the difference between a bulldog and a soccer mom?

In the case of Meleanie Hain, it’s a loaded sidearm.

On Sept. 11, Hain created a stir among other parents when she wore her weapon — a loaded Glock 26, about the size of an adult hand — in a holster to her 5-year-old daughter’s soccer game at Optimist Park in Lebanon, also known as Southwest Park.

Although shedid not break a law by carrying the weapon openly, she is now facing the loss of her concealed-weapons permit. But she is not giving up without a fight.

“I’m just a soccer mom who has always openly carried (a firearm), and I’ve never had a problem before,” she said. “I don’t understand why this is
Five-year-old Isabella Hain gives her mother a hug before heading onto the field yesterday. Former District Judge Nigel Foundling, who serves as director of the Lebanon Recreation Youth Soccer Program, told Isabella s mom in an e-mail that carrying a weapon violates the program s policy. A responsible adult would realize that such behavior has no place at a soccer game, Foundling wrote. (Jim Zengerle / Lebanon Daily News)
happening to me.”

Parents were upset by the presence of the weapon at the game being played by 4- and 5-year-olds, said Charlie Jones, who coaches one of three under-age-6 teams, known as U6, in the Lebanon Recreation Youth Soccer program.

“More than one parent was upset,” he said. “I did not see it, but it was brought to my attention.”

Jones, who is also the county’s public defender, said he wasn’t certain if Hain was breaking the law by wearing the gun, so he did not ask her to remove it. However, he explained to her that its presence was making parents upset and asked her to view the game from the other side of the field, away from the sideline were the kids were standing. She
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complied but continued to wear her holstered weapon, he said.

There was no confrontation, and police were not called to the park, Jones said.

Hain’s version of events is roughly the same as Jones’. However, she claims he raised his voice and talked over her when they spoke after the game. He denies that.

“His basic message to me was that if I was not carrying it because I was concerned about the other parents, then I should leave it off the field and keep it in the car,” she said.

Hain, who lives in Lebanon and operates a small business she declined to specify, said she carries her gun everywhere as a security measure and had worn it to her daughter’s other games and practices, but it was never noticed.

Hain was not breaking the law by wearing a holstered weapon, claimed her attorney, Robert Magee of Allentown.

“The state has a law requiring a license to carry a concealed firearm, but it does not require a license to openly carry one. ... Carrying a firearm openly is legal everywhere but in Philadelphia,” he said.

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badchad said:

If the youth soccer program has a policy against carrying a loaded weapon around 5 year old kids, then she should abide by it.

Call me crazy, but I can understand why some might be concerned about this (whether rational or not).

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badchad said:

Meh, I'm no a lawyer but its an interesting case.  I've been to national parks, and other government funded, "public" parks and playgrounds and clearly seen signs prohibiting weapons.

I would also think that by paying a fee, and renting and/or leasing the land for the soccer game, the soccer organization gets some type of jurisdiction of what they can and cannot do.

IMO regardless of what the law legally says someone can or cannot do, there is something more subjective called "common courtesy".  If i voluntarily join a private organization, and said organization asks me not to do something,  I would comply, or withdraw from it.  However thats just me.

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badchad said:

IMO regardless of what the law legally says someone can or cannot do, there is something more subjective called "common courtesy". 

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Prisoner#1 said:

would common courtesy also not extend to the person that feels
the need for one of humanities basic instincts, self preservation?

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