Cleveland Police Ask For Emergency Suspension Of Open Carry Laws During Republican Convention

[uhnope]

Source: Think Progress

Ohio is an “open carry” state which allows gun owners to carry them in plain sight. People have been exercising this right around the site of the Republican convention:

Strangely, in the area around the convention, “tennis balls, metal-tipped umbrellas or canned goods” are prohibited. But AR-15s or other firearms are not. But now, the Cleveland Police Union has made an emergency request to suspend open carry for the duration of the Republican convention.

“We are sending a letter to Gov. Kasich requesting assistance from him. He could very easily do some kind of executive order or something — I don’t care if it’s constitutional or not at this point,” Cleveland Police Union president Stephen Loomis told CNN.
The request may be related to the violence in Baton Rogue, where three police officers were killed today. (Loomis also blamed Obama for those shootings, saying he had “blood on his hands.”)

The request will put Governor Kasich in an awkward position. In general Republicans argue that open-carry laws are an important party of the right to bear arms and improve public safety. The research does not support this argument.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/07/17/3799163/cleveland-police-ask-emergency-suspension-open-carry-laws-republican-convention/

[MariaThinks]

1. If it is such a great idea, why suspend them at an RNC convention?

[bulloney]

5. Yeah. Let's apply that law on the party that preaches and proliferates open carry laws.

Put your money where your mouth is.

Bunch of chicken-shit hypocrites.

[sarae]

49. Yep.

I've also heard Trump (Mr. "I will get rid of gun-free zones in schools&quot doesn't allow guns on most of his properties. The hypocrisy is off the charts.

[KeepItReal]

2. Gov. Kasich (R) says he doesn't have the authority to restrict open carry weapons

Just reported on MSNBC from the NYT.

[LaydeeBug]

3. They're trying to take their guns!!! Hypocrites. nt

[okasha]

71. It's not the Republicans who want to suspend open carry.

It's the police union, and I think their request is perfectly reasonable.

[840high]

80. Yes.

[Moostache]

4. Exactly...if "open carry" makes us safer, why suspend it?

The GOP deserves to have a massive shootout with all of their 2nd amendment "fans"...some one call Sharon Angle and have her come to Cleveland for some 2nd amendment remedies.

[sarae]

50. Right?

Wouldn't open carry just "make everyone safer"? I don't get it.

[former9thward]

74. Maybe you don't get it

because the GOP is not for it.

It is the Cleveland Police Chief who called for it.

[sarae]

83. The Cleveland Police Chief sure sounds like a hypocritical Republican.

He has said that Obama "has blood on his hands" and wondered "How the hell did we ever become the bad guys in this country?"

[63splitwindow]

6. Fuck the safety of everyone else, including children, on a daily basis...

but PLEASE PROTECT the scumbag sleazeballs who make the insane condition exist.

I say No, HELL NO! You fuckers OWN THIS! Live with it the way you want our entire country to.

[Chemisse]

42. Indeed!

I don't understand why they won't let the 'good guys with guns' into the convention itself!

[Hoppy]

73. Yeah. Keep out the bad guys with guns and everything will be good.

[PearliePoo2]

7. I'm hoping to see the Re-Puke Convention turn into

a historic, cluster-fuck never witnessed in political history. A Massive, flaming fireball of failure.

[titaniumsalute]

52. With all due respect...I disagree with you.

As someone who lives in Cleveland I'd prefer no bloodshed in my streets. Maybe we can have that in your town instead??

[chillfactor]

57. well the convention is in Cleveland......the above poster

did not choose your town.....and with all the crazies walking around with guns.......there may be blood on the streets......I hope not but the country is very volatile right now and far too many unstable people carrying guns. .

[titaniumsalute]

60. Correct

But saying that you want a train wreck...which I take as in bloodshed...I hope the fuck not. I know numerous Cleveland Cops, I know numerous friends who are business owners and residents of downtown. I'd prefer they don't get fucking killed thank you. So no. I do NOT hope it is a trainwreck.

[chillfactor]

77. i did not say I was hoping for a train wreck...

I saw none of that in my post. i was SAYING with all of the guns floating around OUTSIDE the convention hall.....many unstable people may be carrying guns.

[TacoD]

88. why do you take the expression "train wreck" to mean bloodshed? that's not what that means (nt)

[PearliePoo2]

91. With all due respect, I never mentioned bloodshed, YOU DID.

You are taking what people are writing to your own next level. You need to calm down and quit putting your own words in other people's mouths. You are accusing others of things they never wrote or intended.

[Paladin]

55. I'm with you. The bigger the train wreck, the better.

There's a price to be paid for allowing the likes of Donald Trump to take control of a political party. Let the repubs tender payment in Cleveland.

[titaniumsalute]

61. Since I live and know people in Cleveland...I hope the fuck you are wrong.

[chillfactor]

56. agreed....

the rethugs I believe are in deep shit....and with all the guns floating around outside I fear opposing supporters may end up shooting each other......and do not forget the Hells Angels bikers will be there as well...to "protect" dumdum and his supporters.

[lastlib]

69. Like they did at Altamont.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altamont_Free_Concert#Security

[busterbrown]

8. Kasich response... Exactly what one would think..

Not Allowed to...

Couldn’t he call for an emergency session of State Govt.. do get this fucking done.?

Instead this:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/07/17/kasich-i-can-t-ban-open-carry-at-rnc.html?via=desktop&source=copyurl.

[KeepItReal]

9. When? Today? The GOP convention starts tomorrow.

The Secret Service will control the venue and its immediate vicinity - no weapons allowed.

It's just the rest of Cleveland that will remain an open-carry zone.

[Mendocino]

10. Loomis says Obama

has "blood on his hands". This in a city where Tamir Rice was shot by the police.

[busterbrown]

11. I read that..

Just another ignorant stupid old white guy...Spitting obscenities.

[ladym55]

40. Loomis is a jerk

He makes every police officer look stupid every time he opens his mouth. He does that with far too much regularity, and Cleveland media happily stick a mic in his face to record his every word.

[yallerdawg]

12. Fox News again (channel surfing).

To ban guns at the convention in an 'open carry' state would be "duplicitous."

"If it takes a good guy with a gun to stop a bad guy with a gun" what are they doing when they disarm the good guys?

Now, this argument didn't work at this years NRA convention, but Fox is sure to line up with the nutters anyway!

'Cause, you know, "Obama."

[cstanleytech]

13. "I don’t care if it’s constitutional or not at this point" Famous last words before a massive

civil lawsuit ending in the city having to pay out millions in damages.

[christx30]

17. And it begs the question:

What other rights would be be willing to suspend because they are inconvenient?

[cstanleytech]

29. Yup and the irony is I am not even pro carry period because imo it just is a recipe for

disaster but I dont make the rules or the laws

[christx30]

33. I'm with you 100%.

In the event of a Dallas type of shooting, I can't think of a better way to make things worse for the police than a bunch of non uniformed people walking around holding long guns.
Remember that one gentleman holding his weapon. His picture spread around the world as a suspect for well over an hour before word came down that he wasn't. A nut bag could have shot him, trying to play hero.
Another innocent man dies on the alter of open carry and the second amendment.

[7962]

14. If theres a problem, its more likely going to come from people trying to break in

Unless all the protest groups start shooting amongst themselves

[840high]

81. Agreed.

[sorefeet]

15. Really, if open carry makes you safer,

why even have the cops there. With all the bad assed well trained gun owners there, talkin shit and sportin their iron it should be the safest place on the planet. Kind of a cozy little brotherhood. BWWAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAA. What a bunch of hypocrites.

[pangaia]

21. THAT'S IT!!!

Let the cops who would have worked the convention have a week off.

YES !!!!

[Akamai]

34. That's a great idea! I am sure Trump and Pence would be enough, with their own firearms!

What could possibly go wrong?

[Chemisse]

43. Forget Pence - Trump could handle all the security SINGLE-HANDEDLY!

Just ask him!

[phylny]

37. Oh my. This is brilliant!

Let the good guys with the guns take care of it.

[jpak]

67. But why would they ban these "life saving devices'??

Why would they want to turn the town into a "gun free zone"???

The convention-goers would be helpless against muslin terror and BLM thugs!!!!!!111111

[840high]

82. The police union wants this - not the Republicas.

[FreepFryer]

16. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. *ahem* (n/t)

[AKing]

18. Oh No! There won't be any good guys with a gun to stop the bad guys...

The horror..the horror!

[63splitwindow]

19. Let the tunnel vision give way to broader sight

"...
...
"I don't care what the legal precedent is, I feel strongly that leadership needs to stand up and defend these police officers," Steve Loomis, the head of the police union, told Reuters in an interview at the union's headquarters on Sunday. The four-day convention is due to begin on Monday.
...
..."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-firearms-idUSKCN0ZX0TI


Jesus H. Christ man, what about all of the other people all of the rest of the time. NOW try to understand what is being said about rational gun control.

[puffy socks]

44. +1000 nt

[dbonds]

20. But isn't every one safer since every one has guns?

[pangaia]

24. It is just fucking insane, is it not.

Open carry, concealed carry (should be called closed carry), Long guns(why aren't there short guns), bare arms,
big mag, little mag, auto-, semi auto, sort of auto-, WEAPON, "fire arms"...There's a whole dictionary.....

It minds the boggle....

[Bradical79]

22. What an idiot

Asks for Republican governor to suspend Republican backed open carry law at Republican convention. Blames Obama for gun violence. Gives Bradical79 a headache.

[Ikonoklast]

87. This is not even remotely the truth.

Asks for Republican governor to suspend Republican backed open carry law at Republican convention.

It's part of the Constitution of the Sate of Ohio, and always has been.

Ohio has always been a traditional Open Carry state.

Always.



That is why no one short of amending the state constitution can do anything to stop it from happening, they would be breaking the law so hard not one court would support them.


The police union chief is an absolute moron to even say this, he wants the ability to ignore any law that he doesn't like at the moment.

[Bradical79]

89. What's not true?

You agreed with me. The chief is an idiot. And do the Republicans not back open carry?

[barbtries]

23. where do these assholes get off

blaming the president for the murder of cops? they never, ever look in the mirror, do they?

[pangaia]

25. They get off in the basement by themselves.

[puffy socks]

46. Nothing is ever the fault

of the police. Didn't you know that?

[vkkv]

26. I feel so sorry for cops these days.. Having to deal with the fallout of

STUPID FRIGGIN' RIGHT WING IDIOT LAWMAKERS writing STUPID FRIGGIN' RIGHT WING IDIOT LAWS.

[gwheezie]

27. Guns have always been regulated

The sc has ruled on this. Guns have been restricted and banned throughout our history. Citizens have been disarmed. I don't see why it can't be done in this situation. We're going to see the oath keepers and new black panthers open carry in cleveland. What, me worry?

[Firestorm49]

28. They got what they asked for.

Well boo hoo! The gun mongers don't want any guns around the GOP convention? So what is it, Mr. LaPierre? Are you going to stand by your balls and defend the rights that you have forced, or will you pussy out?
What a frickin joke.

[marybourg]

30. Well, I suppose the governor

can declare martial law and suspend the constitutional right to carry weapons, if he wants to, and if his state constitution allows it, which it probably does.

[cheyanne]

31. Or could the President call for a state of emergency?

[Chemisse]

45. Obama should stay out of it - Let the Republicans show how great their laws are.

If he gets involved - even slightly - the impending cluster-fuck will be considered all his fault.

[Marthe48]

32. If Cleveland isn't a disaster

I am going to be surprised and delighted. The pieces are in place to make the Chicago Convention look like a tea party. My poor home town.

[7962]

85. Whats sad is how many have the INTENT to make it a disaster. Idiots

Dont they realize that crowds of violent protests are just going to push MORE people to Trump??

[humbled_opinion]

35. What can Obama do about it?

I have heard the NBPP are going to march on Cleveland with AR15's strapped on their back... Volatile situation right there folks. My guess is the police will fire first and ask questions later, won't end well.

[Person 2713]

36. Are the police trying to take away citizen's guns rba?? Usual suspects upset ?

"I don't care if it's constitutional or not" > police union president

[TexasBushwhacker]

53. FWIW, I think most police are against open carry

and for more restricted access to firearms. There are plenty of military folks that feel the same way. Semi-automatic weapons should not be in the hands of untrained civilians.

[marybourg]

75. Now they're against it.

But I'm old enough to remember them being for it for many years, going back to at least the early 70's and probably earlier. "Law and Order" were the big watchwords.

[Godspeed_Democrats]

38. Open carry ok till Black Folks do it!!

[Still In Wisconsin]

39. For the sake of EVERYONE suspend open carry!

How is this even a question?

[red dog 1]

41. K&R...Thanks for posting

Well, it's a moot point now; since Kasich says he "doesn't have the authority"
(See reply # 2)

[Earth_First]

47. Are the militarized police no longer capable of securing their own?

The RNC is designated as a National Special Security Event by the US Department of Homeland Security, which entitled Cleveland to a $50 million federal grant toward its security plan. According to bids the city has posted to its website and reports from local news outlets, so far Cleveland has spent the money on:

◾2,000 sets of riot gear
◾2,000 steel batons
◾325 sets of tactical armor
◾300 patrol bicycles, with accompanying riot gear
◾25 rifle scopes
◾10,000 flexible handcuffs

Other supplies include bulletproof helmets, pepper spray, two-point slings (used to carry rifles) and inmate mattresses. The Cleveland PD also asked the Chicago Police Department to loan it three bearcats, and Taser International is loaning the department 300 body cameras that can be attached to riot suits. The city also put out a bid for tear gas, according to the Washington Post, and it recently upped its protest insurance coverage from $9.5 million to $50 million.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/07/cleveland-police-department-rnc-military-equipment

[Paladin]

48. Repubs are the ones who backed open carry to the hilt.

Let them deal with what they've brought about at their convention. No exceptions.

[elleng]

51. About damn time!

[liberal N proud]

54. The gun loving tea bagging party is suddenly afraid of guns?

Not that I see all the guns as a good thing, I think calling for a ban now is completely hypocritical and will forever destroy their more guns meme.

I personally fear a bloodbath in the streets of Cleveland.

[applegrove]

58. My god I hope they get the order.

[ManiacJoe]

59. No need to suspend open carry.

Open carry and brandishing are two different things. One is legal, the other is not.
Most folks holding a gun in their hands could easily be charged with brandishing.

[63splitwindow]

62. Is AR-15 slung over shoulder "brandishing"?

[Paladin]

63. Ever notice how all open carriers look somewhat alike?

Kind of like they still need their mammas' help in getting dressed in the morning.

[63splitwindow]

65. Idiotically insane. That is at Arizona Capitol grounds.

Here, carry this potential for absolute carnage into a situation with the potential for conflict and confrontation. What could go wrong?

[ManiacJoe]

76. No, slung is not brandishing.

See your state laws for details.

[Paladin]

86. I'm not even going to try to explain to you how little comfort that distinction provides. (nt)

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

64. "I don’t care if it’s constitutional or not at this point,”

Really now, I think I'm beginning to understand how the police can ignore my other constitutional rights as well.

[OnlinePoker]

66. These are the items banned in the "event" zone

Lumber larger than 2 inches in width and 1/4 of an inch thick, including supports for signs
Metal, plastic, or other hard material larger than 3/4 quarters thick and 1/8 of an inch in wall thickness including pipe and tubing
Air rifles
Air pistols
Paintball guns
Blasting caps
Switchblade knives...

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/politics/cleveland-convention-guns-event-zone/

[ericson00]

68. let the GOP reap what they sow on guns;

it will help Hillary in the polls bigly.

Honestly, how effin stupid do you have to be to let emotional and potentially drunk people (given the alcohol they serve at these things) run around with guns? Almost like "drunk college students at the frat house or bar should have guns."

[lastlib]

70. "Those who sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind....."

Maybe that time is coming.

[Ms.Lib]

72. Just curious

I'm sure the NRA is having a hissy fit over that request. God forbit should someones 2nd amendment rights get violated. I'm just curious how many of the NRA's congressional b*itches will be squirming in their seats knowing how many of their gun toting crazies are running around outside.

[willstand]

78. I will say its a cool idea

this should definitely be done

[bluestateguy]

79. Too late.

but the union boss hinted that they would just arrest open carriers anyway.

[elias7]

84. What about the rest of us the rest of the time?

Why is it ok to ask for special protection for one group but not for any other group at any other time? Especially since that is the group that favors and fosters open carry. What ironic bullshit.

[Nitram]

90. But, if they suspend open carry, how will they defend themselves from "bad guys?"

I thought we'd be safer if we all carried guns? I love it. The governor said he wouldn't (and couldn't) suspend the law. That would require martial law. Of course, we might get there before this is over. Takes me back to 1968...