I don't know how to feel about this

OP, let's not be funny, we know exactly how you feel about it

You're a mentally well adjusted human

Unlike the people who thought this is normal behaviour

It makes me slightly uneasy and sad that this is done for big events, but I also understand why.
I think the knowledge just saps some of the frivolity from what is otherwise a fun, low-stakes outing.
- I kinda hate to be this guy, but:
  Know this does not exist in any other country
  It is unnecessary in any other country
  America has entirely constructed its own hell by simply not applying the same appropriate gun control you see in every other developed nation in the world
  Edit: and I know you probably agree with me, but goddamn you've just collectively proven as a nation that over half your countrymen will bazooka their feet and the feet of everyone unfortunate enough to be near them, before even contemplating the idea of supporting someone who promises to make their lives better!
- I am guessing this is only specific to the USA.

Everyone loves the official snipers, but when I tell them I'm a freelance sniper, they get all upset.

As an Eagles fan, I'd appreciate if they don't use our name in their sniper nest. If they could call it something more Cowboys appropriate like a trash nest, or little bitch nest, that would be great.

Hell ya dude. That sports group scores points WAY better than the second organization you mentioned. Whenever they compete, I loudly encourage those ones to accrue points just as you surely do. Teams, am I right?
- Go sports!
- Disagree, first organization is shady and just hires the best people with money, which is unfair. You should support organization C which might not accrue as many points but has the moral upper hand.
Wholeheartedly agree, my friend.
- 🦅🦅🦅
fly eagles fly!!

Is this real?

It seems so. Here’s an article with some more information and a higher resolution image (though the image still looks like CGI to me).
Every major gathering has stuff like this behind the scenes. Not just in America.
- It'd probably usually only be for high profile diplomatic/political events, or when a threat is specifically called in, outside of America, not just your average sports team needs a sniper on thier payroll 😅

I was at a Virginia Tech football game this season. They let everyone in, all while the metal detectors are flashing non-stop. A school that had a mass shooting not all that long ago where over 30 people died doesn't give a shit what you bring into that stadium. But hey, they've got snipers above the press box.

Not abnormal? Just because a thing exists somewhere it doesn't immediately make it normal.

"Hey everyone, I saw this video online and apparently it's normal to shit in your own mouth now".

Shitting in your own mouth is a million times more normal and respectable than occupying a human hunting lodge at a sports event.
- lemmy.ml guys sure have some peculiar views on stuff being normal
- I had to think about that one for a second, yep, checks out

That's Lucas Oil Stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play. That specific picture is from Super Bowl XLVI which took place in 2012. There was another sniper and spotter in the opposite corner.

But as others have said, most major events, including every regular NFL game have snipers in attendance.

They also have cops dressed up at fans to see if they can get through security checkpoints. They'll have the wrong ticket, play dumb, or try to sweet talk guards to get to places they shouldn't. An IRL pen test.

- “physical pen testing”
  oh I've seen that on the ButtSharpies subreddit
- My pens come pre-tested :(
and people are angry at this... props to these procedures cause if we didn't have them it would be a nightmare

Something about a sniper in Dallas sounds familiar...

He is perched at the top of a grassy bowl.
Just one though?

Can they sell the name to a brand for advertisement?

"The stadium sniper is presented to you by Bud Light!"

Nah, those snipers are paid by taxpayers.
- So that doesn't mean a private company can profit from it?

This is how you can tell the national character is terminally diseased. If you really think you need this then you should realized you don't need the sports activity nor the stadium. Just go live in a buried sewer concrete pipe because this is where you belong.

Plus, a literal underground rave is going to be a much better time than a sporting event, as well as having better people.

Too bad it doesn't help them play any better.

That's what the funny red light on my forehead was for!

I really hope that guy isn't allowed to bet on games.

When the culture you create turns you coward this is how you react instead of fixing the causes. Fucking ignorant cowards…

Soo, does this have 360 degrees view or will only the guest team's fans be shot?

The seats without coverage are somewhat cheaper, for those who don't want to pay for the premium security package.
- Just pump a noobtube up there. Problem solved.

Do they have another to cover the other half of the stadium? Seems ineffective if the threat is directly underneath or behind that position.

Have you considered multiple positions like this with overlapping fields of view?
- So like the first sentence
It says eagles nests, plural. So yes, they have more than one.

There's a reason we don't see mass shootings in stadiums.

Somehow these crazy people are sane enough to consider what is an easy target.

I don't think this has anything to do with it, because there are plenty of stadiums that don't have built in snipers nests.
- In my city they sit on top of the administration building. They’re only there for the largest events.
- It's a landing of a stairwell in that picture.
Isn’t it all the metal detectors at the door?
- That's definitely a big part of it, I just meant more generally they go for areas with large populations but little security
This rock prevents sharks

Is it me or is Costco not safe? I wish they had a sniper. Walmart needs a MOAB with a guy and a hammer 🔨⚒️ on the ready. Much safer.

I assumed pretty everyone at Walmart is carrying from the looks of 'em
- This is why I don't do Walmart. Sure it's cheaper than target, but I'm willing to pay more for not having to deal with the gravy seals.

With how the season is going, the snipper may be there to stop someone shooting Dak

Or call him the 12th man and have him help against the pass rush

How do you feel about your team's execution?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrQpGeszrmA

That’s a hell of a job.

I wonder what protocol is like for those guys. Sit in the box as soon as the audience starts filing in? Watch for unruly audience members with binoculars at first? When do you switch to the scope? When do you pull the trigger? Are the bullets a special type?

Police don't really have roe so whatever they want really.
Static high ready isn't illegal for whatever dumb reason though in the military you can't point your him at anyone until your shot at our meet the roe for the area.
Right, like is there even a bullet in the chamber initially? Yes, but safety on? I'm very curious too.
- Unlikely that thered be a round in the chamber, but it doesn't take long to make that happen. But that being said, a bolt action is quicker than you think when operated by an expert.

Those fuckers volunteer for this shit

This... sounds wrong. You'll need a source for that there comment sir

So the cowboys have a Eagles nest huh? Guess even dallas knows they suck and the birds are better.

GO BIRDS!!

https://youtu.be/epVpOAWa0pE?si=9WPwLD-hCJGlfM87

Oh, so that's why Mike McCarthy looks so stressed here lately.

Considering all 20,000 people standing next to you can go buy an AR15 in like 3 seconds for the price of a used iPhone, I'd say its a pretty damned good idea.