Gov. Rick Scott Denies Request To Ban Concealed Weapons In Republican Convention Protest Zones

As we previously reported, there has been some concern about state laws permitting concealed weapons in the protest zones outside the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. The city council appealed to Gov. Rick Scott, asking for a temporary ban. Scott has denied the request.

RELATED: Concealed Weapons Laws Permit Guns In Republican, Democratic Conventions’ Protest Zones

Mayor Bob Buckhorn wrote a letter to the governor, asking that he issue an executive order. Scott responded, saying such a ban would infringe upon citizens’ constitutional rights. Via Fox News:

“Like you, I share the concerns that ‘violent anti-government protests or other civil unrest’ can pose dangers,” Scott wrote in his two-page response. “But it is unclear how disarming law-abiding citizens would better protect them from the dangers and threats posed by those who would flout the law.

Scott also said that his understanding is guns are already banned inside the convention center and in the surrounding “safety zone” created by the Secret Service.

Earlier, Buckhorn had said, “The absurdity of banning squirt guns but not being able to do anything about real guns is patently obvious. Given the nature and the potential dynamic of this event, I think it would make sense that you would not want firearms introduced into that environment by people other than law enforcement.”

(H/T Fox News)

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!