Pants at the "Citizens for a Safer Minnesota" burst into flame. Film at 11.

It's not always what they say that can be a lie; it's what they leave out.  Here's the story, in full, complete from the "Citizens for a Safer Minnesota" website:

A Packers fan from Red Wing, Minnnesota draws his gun during a Christmas Eve dispute at the Metrodome. Read the FOX 9 News story.

That's it.  Notice something missing?  Let's look at the full story. Emphasis mine, as are the further indented stuff in italics.

Packer Fan Packin' Heat

Packin' Heat? Let's read on.

The Vikings and Packers have some of the most devoted and rabid fans in the NFL. Here’s a story of how that rivalry went way, way too far. The Fox 9 Investigators discovered a case you'll have to hear to believe.

If then.

Green Bay and Minneapolis Police tell us this is the regular season match up where they expect trouble, the rowdiest fans, and always a few fights. But how about a fan pulling out a handgun to settle a dispute?

Q: “Have you ever seen anything like this happen at a game?”
A: "Every Packer game. Every Packer game something that happens."

Season ticket holder Michael Shun knew the Christmas Eve showdown would provide fireworks, and not just on the field.

"Probably about a third of the way down is where the scuffle started."

Still, nothing prepared him for the post-game scrimmage as 60,000 people began leaving the Metrodome.

"Just like in high school whole crowd gathers around starts pushing each other around."

On one side, dressed in full Viking gear, the Gibson brothers from Illinois. On the other, outfitted in Packer wear, the McElroy brothers from Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"It was just jawin back and forth."

Both sides deserve a flag for unsportsman-like conduct.

"The Packer's like how'd you like getting it for the second time."

Huh?

"Next thing I know the Packer's drawn a gun."

That's right, the Packer's packin' heat.

"He pulls out a gun, and he's pointing it directly at you, and he keeps walking."

How was Packer fan, Larry McElroy, allowed to bring a handgun into the dome, where weapons are banned?

Err, no, they aren't. The provision for banning the carrying of firearms into establishments was established, for the first time, by the MCPPA. As regular readers of this LiveJournal have noticed, the MCPPA has been on hold since June 13, and that includes the posting provisions. Besides, it gets better... he's not just a "fan" -- he's a cop.

The Fox 9 investigators discovered he was an off-duty Minnesota cop.

Now, let me get this straight: we're halfway through the story before we get to the fact that the guy who drew a gun -- whether properly or not is another question -- is a police officer?  Do these reporters moonlight in reporting for the "Citizens for a Safer Minnesota"? 

 A Red Wing Police Officer. One who's been in trouble before. He’s had a DWI in June, 2001, reduced to careless driving. So he kept his job.

Q: 'No one had any idea they were dealing with a cop?' A: 'No idea.'

Of course, maybe the cop mentioning it could have clued them in?

"The guy with the gun never said he was a cop, never showed a badge."

That's not what the police report says.

When the rolling brawl made it to the street, McElroy tucked away his weapon.

"It's right over here the cops get involved."

Michael Shun found a couple of Minneapolis police officers, who seemed to believe their fellow cop.

"He just took the word of whatever the other cop had to say as gold and just ignored everything we had to say."

According to the police reports, Larry McElroy says he identified himself as a cop, then Kevin Gibson punched him in the face, saying "I don't give a (blank) about your badge."

Smooth move, Kevin.

"Why would anyone charge a guy that you think has a gun, why would you do that?”

The Gibson brother's were arrested and booked for assault and disorderly conduct. The brothers McElroy walked away. Larry McElroy was never even checked to see if he was intoxicated.

"Who's to say he doesn't go to the game, have a couple, think he's invincible, now he's got a sidearm, he can take it one step further than everyone else."

Nobody, I guess. But, hey, the prohibition against carrying while intoxicated went away -- for the time being -- along with the MCPPA.  If the MCPPA was in effect, the MPD folks could have insisted that he take a breathalizer test.  But, nope.  Doesn't matter how drunk he was;  there's no crime of carrying while intoxicated while the MCPPA is on hold.

The Fox 9 Investigators went to Red Wing to get answers.

"Turn that camera off. No I'm not. Turn that camera off."

"We're you drinking when you had your gun out at the Metrodome."

Instead, officer McElroy called his fellow cops for back up. Michael Shun can't help thinking that's exactly what he should've done at the game.

"I don't see why you need a gun for here anyway, Metrodome has security, so just leave it home, it's Christmas Eve, leave it at home."

His boss, the Red Wing Police Chief was unaware his officer got involved in a fight at the Dome until we told him about it. It’s unclear whether Officer McElroy will face any discipline.

As far as the Viking fans from Illinois, the Gibson brother's have a court date next month. They wouldn't do an on-camera interview, but as expected told me the Packer fan started it all.

A few obvious points. One is that, law or not, avoid drinking when you're carrying.  If you're going to get into arguments with people, do it over the phone.  Sure.  And that applies when you're an off-duty cop -- if you can.  Maybe Officer McElroy couldn't -- I guess we'll see what happens in court.  My guess is that the Gibson brothers plead out, but save that for another day.

But note what was missing from the "Citizens for a Safer Minnesota" report?  Permit holder?  Nah -- a cop.  How do the "Citizens for a Safer Minnesota" think that repealing the MCPPA would keep police officers from carrying firearms?