Will it be legal to carry concealed weapons at the GOP convention?

[Cyrano]

Republicans want concealed weapons to be legal to carry in bars, churches, near schools and virtually everyplace else imaginable. So what about their own convention?

Don't count on it. They won't let guns within a mile of the place. The Republican powers that be are well aware that their party is composed of the insane, the bugshit insane, and those who have gone so far beyond insane that there's no term to describe them.

Nonetheless, were concealed weapons to be allowed at their convention, it would make for far more interesting viewing than just the same old dull, meaningless speeches.

[rfranklin]

1. And unlikely that the gungeon trolls will pop up here squawking about the Republican gun ban...

you think?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Such high esteem you hold your fellow DUers in

[rfranklin]

18. Well, I don't see any of the usual suspects commenting...

the trolls are silent.

[JoeyT]

26. I'm shocked and appalled

they didn't rush in here to rage about this. Especially in the uh...two minutes you gave them.

Do people linger on the latest threads page hitting F5 over and over?

But to comment on the actual story, no they probably won't allow guns. If I had their nutty-ass base I wouldn't either. The first time they say anything unpopular with the teabaggers they'll be trying to dodge a hail of bullets.

[DonCoquixote]

2. I hate to say it, but hell yes

Florida has made an industry out of selling guns to ANYONE. It is no accident that the Littleton high school shooters got their guns here. In the papers, they already brag about how the feds smacked down the mayor, and how they plan not only to carry guns, but to "stand their ground" against liberals.

Of course, if the GOP shot one of these clowns, they would spin it as A) America hates the left, and B) Romney has to be a centrists since he shot the Tea Party guys

Oh, did I mention that the very week of the convention, the tea Party, led by Ron Paul, is leading a COUNTER CONVENTION? Not one, but TWO batshit crazy conventions for the price of one. I do not intend to leave my house that week.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. I hope so.

maybe some RW loony-tune delegate will steal another's seat, then watch the fun.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

7. Or get over-excited and fire into the air, as if the convention were

a Taliban rally.

[primavera]

12. If Dick Cheney were there...

... he could have a grand old time going around shooting people in the face.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Doubtful...Conventions are designated National Security events

Don't have the acronym handy this early, but the Feds are in charge and different rules apply. However, they will apply only at the convention venues and associated security zones.

[Fuddnik]

6. Yes they can.

Tampa wanted a ban on concealed weapons, but the state refused to grant them an exemption from the concealed carry law.

Squirt guns are banned. Slingshots are banned. Not 9mm's and .44 magnums.

Can't be upsetting the NRA now, can we.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. The Feds will over rule the State at the convention venues

According to whom you listen too, Tampa wanted the ability to ban concealed weapons generally and that is not going to happen in FL

[SoutherDem]

8. No but it should be.

Only in the world of politics, specifically gun rights/gun control, can someone who supports the right to own and carry a gun be made out to be a wacky left-wing communist because they feel some restrictions should be allowed. Republicans under the control of the NRA wants the right to carry a gun everywhere with no exceptions, so why not. It is what they want for everyone else, everywhere else so why not there.

Who knows it could add a whole new meaning to the term "floor fight".,

[B Calm]

9. I think they should be allowed, where's the NRA

outrage?

[TheCowsCameHome]

22. They'll be busy giving hand jobs to the assembled delegates

NRA=GOP, you know.

[MineralMan]

10. No. It's a national security event, since

people under the protection of the Secret Service and other federal agencies will be present. Federal rules apply, not state rules. The convention venue will be a place where concealed weapons will not be permitted for attendees. The states have nothing to do with it at those venues.

[aikoaiko]

11. Unlikely if the Secret Service is in charge of security. They have the final say.

And this is consistent with most concealed carry advocates (whether they be right or left leaning) who believe that exceptions to concealed carry laws are justifiable if the event organizers/security take positive efforts to exclude unauthorized firearms (i.e., more than declaring a place a gun-free zone, crossing fingers, and whistling in the dark).

[Cyrano]

13. Damn Secret Service killjoys. Their jobs should be privatized.

[aikoaiko]

16. Sorry to rain on your anti-concealed carry parade.

[longship]

14. That would bring new meaning to floor fight.

[tnvoter]

15. crazy and guns don't mix, but guns and hypocrisy do

Even the GOP knows its crazies are crazier than our crazies. Giving them guns is too risky.

[flvegan]

17. Yes.

Gov Scott nixed a request to ban cc outside the convention. Now INside the convention might be different in that if they have scanners, they may disallow access to anyone carrying at their leisure.

[quaker bill]

19. My understanding is - yes

but squirt guns will be banned.

[99Forever]

20. What really surprises me...

... is the number of people who posted replies to this OP who don't seem to get the point of what it was saying.

[PavePusher]

21. "They won't let guns within a mile of the place."

On what do you base this prognostication? Under what laws could they have that large an exclusion zone?

Frankly, I don't see why any Constitutional/Civil Right should be denied to any lawful person at any time, but I'm a bit of an absolutist that way.

"Free Speech Zones", anyone?

[The Magistrate]

23. At Least One Person Will Be Shot By a Republican Convention Delegate, Sir

The only question is whether it will be a protester, a rival delegate, or a sex worker....

[Travelman]

24. Yes, it will be legal

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/05/rick-scott-concealed-weapons-republican-convention-/1


Edit: pretty much without a doubt, some attendees will be blatantly toting their weapons around as a show of force.

[Hoyt]

28. The attendees can't walk into the convention with a gun or two strapped on. The Tbag protestors can

carry them on the streets for intimidation purposes.

[Hoyt]

27. Right wingers are stupid, but not stupid enough to allow a bunch of yahoos packing in a convention.

Yet, they take NRA and other right wing money to enact legislation that allows just that in public parks, restaurants, churches, etc.

Go to a gun show -- even the right wing promoters know it's not a good idea to have folks obsessed with lethal weapons carrying loaded guns around at the "show."