Steven Mace
01-25-2002, 05:26 AM
Published: Thursday, January 24, 2002
Ceremonial gun's use is being restricted
Rules of engagement for the St. Paul Winter Carnival's Prince of the West Wind, who packs a pistol as part of his garb, are tighter and more explicit this year, according to Robert Viking, president and CEO of the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the 10-day winter extravaganza.
Last year, during an unofficial October visit to a St. Paul bar, the then-Prince of the West Wind fired off two shots -- blanks -- from his pistol.
The noise startled a customer, who called police. When officers showed up, they gave the man a citation and impounded the weapon.
This year, Viking said, the Prince of the West Wind -- the only member of the carnival's royal family who has a ceremonial firearm -- can only wear it at official functions but cannot take it to schools, nursing homes, hospitals and the like.
The load that the weapon fires also has been restricted: Indoors, only primer shells that contain almost no gunpowder can be used. Outdoors, only half-loads can be used. The rule has the effect of quieting the discharge.
-- Karl J. Karlson
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/235374.htm
Steve Mace
Ceremonial gun's use is being restricted
Rules of engagement for the St. Paul Winter Carnival's Prince of the West Wind, who packs a pistol as part of his garb, are tighter and more explicit this year, according to Robert Viking, president and CEO of the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the 10-day winter extravaganza.
Last year, during an unofficial October visit to a St. Paul bar, the then-Prince of the West Wind fired off two shots -- blanks -- from his pistol.
The noise startled a customer, who called police. When officers showed up, they gave the man a citation and impounded the weapon.
This year, Viking said, the Prince of the West Wind -- the only member of the carnival's royal family who has a ceremonial firearm -- can only wear it at official functions but cannot take it to schools, nursing homes, hospitals and the like.
The load that the weapon fires also has been restricted: Indoors, only primer shells that contain almost no gunpowder can be used. Outdoors, only half-loads can be used. The rule has the effect of quieting the discharge.
-- Karl J. Karlson
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/235374.htm
Steve Mace