The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland has declined to partake in an honor guard ceremony at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, citing the Baltimore Orioles’ prohibition of firearms in the stadium.
Sheriff Jim DeWees opted out of the ceremony at the Baltimore stadium, in which weapons are among the list of forbidden items. The sheriff has vented his frustration with this restriction, calling it “blatantly ignorant.”
“First of all, our policy is when you’re in uniform, you have a loaded firearm with you,” DeWees told Fox Baltimore. “And so, regardless of where you go, deputies, law enforcement, we’re targets the second we leave our homes in uniform. And people expect us to be able to take action.”
The team offered the deputies to carry their firearms unloaded into the stadium, though this offer was also declined. DeWees reiterated his belief that deputies are law enforcement officers “regardless of where we’re at.”
The team has only stated that “the safety of our fans is of the utmost importance” regarding the sheriff’s office declining to participate in this honor guard ceremony.
REPUBLICANS BATTER DEMOCRATS 13-2 FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME WIN
The Orioles will face off against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night at home.
The Washington Examiner has contacted the Orioles, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and the Baltimore chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police for comment.