Four off-duty Kentucky law enforcement officers going to a concert were denied access to the event Wednesday night because they were all carrying concealed weapons.
Three Louisville Metro police officers and a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy were searched and turned away from the Lee Brice concert at the Louisville Palace, according to WDRB-TV.
Live Nation, which operates the venue, has a strict no weapons policy that was cited when the officers were told to leave.
Louisville Fraternal Order of Police President Dave Mutchler told the news station that the department's officers are required to be armed even when they're off duty.
"To have police officers who are not working there who are off duty who are at the event and potentially able to assist or respond seems to be something that would be helpful," he said.
Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad said in a statement that he was surprised that Live Nation would not allow the armed officers to attend the event.
"It is our job to do what we can to keep our community safe," the statement reads. "To that end, our officers are required to be armed at all times while in Jefferson County.
"Given today’s climate, we would think most businesses would welcome armed and well trained police officers, on or off-duty, to help out should there be a problem. We hope we are able to work with the management of the Louisville Palace to find some resolution to this situation."
Live Nation did not return calls to WDRB-TV and Palace officials told the news station they would not be releasing a statement.
