GOP convention: Protesters to be kept in "event zone" - but allowed to carry guns

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

(CBS News) The city council in Tampa, Florida - home of the 2012 Republican National Convention, to be held from Aug. 27-30 - on Thursday moved forward with approval of a so-called "event zone" where protests of the proceedings will be held.

The area of the "event zone," originally called the "clean zone," has been significantly reduced since it was first proposed, according to Bay News 9. The plan, which has not yet had final approval, would also mandate that protests of 50 or more people can go for 90 minutes - up from 60 - or indefinitely if protesters are in a park.

The decision to restrict protest to a small area of the city - designed in part to help police - has prompted complaints from the local Occupy group, which plans to protest the convention. Occupy Tampa protesters held a "retirement party for the First Amendment" outside the city council hearing this morning.

On Tuesday, Florida's Republican governor, Rick Scott, turned down an appeal from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to allow the city to ban guns during the convention. Florida's gun laws, which are more lenient than in most states, allow citizens to carry concealed weapons.

"Like you, I share the concern that 'violent anti-government protests or other civil unrest' can pose 'dangers' and the 'threat of substantial injury or harm to Florida residents visitors to the state,'" Scott wrote. "But it is unclear how disarming citizens would better protect them from the dangers and threats posed by those who would flout the law. It is at just such times that the constitutional right to self defense is most precious and must be protected from government overreach."

Guns will still not be allowed inside the convention hall or in the area directly around it, but would be allowed in the protest (or "event") zone and elsewhere in the city.

The decision has prompted mockery from critics, who have pointed out that the city has banned water guns in the protest zone - but not the real thing. (Also reportedly banned: Masks, pipe, and string, rope or chains longer than six feet.)

"Some people don't seem to think the First Amendment is as valuable as the Second Amendment," a protester complained to the council Thursday morning, according to Tampa Bay Online.

[vengenceofgod100]

The Repugnantcan party the party of the NRA gun nuts who care more about their stupid guns then their own family's. Who want to make America the wild west, the party of greedy dogs who bribe politicians to pass their decrepit gun laws, under the hypocritical guise of the first amendment which they make their interpretation so broad that even Hell itself could pass through. I think Jesus has finally left the party of Lincoln once and for all. The religios right and these gun nuts are not the face of America, they are just the face of the Repugnatcans.

[OIF_to_USC]

@vengenceoftheblitheringidiot100, that was about the most meandering meaningless peice of nonesense ever written. Put down the refer, calm yourself, and try to talk like you have a lick of sense.

[LandsandGrooves]

It's interesting how one sentence can carry so much bias from a reporter.

"Florida's gun laws, which are more lenient than in most states, allow citizens to carry concealed weapons."

Could just as easily have been written: "Florida's gun rights laws, which are stronger than in most states, do not prevent licensed citizens from carrying concealed weapons."

How it's written depends on where you are coming from, and tells much about where the writer is.

As for who prohibits carry in the convention hall . . . seriously? Try the Secret Service.

[OIF_to_USC]

@LandsandGrooves, well said. I like the quote, "Florida's gun laws, which are more lenient than in most states, allow citizens to carry concealed weapons." I couldn't help but notice that the "reporter" failed to mention that almost the entire country has adopted concealed carry reforms over the last 20-25 years in lieu of the failed gun control laws that preceeded today's succesful concealed carry reforms. Note too that the safest and most responsible segments of our society are the "10 million plus" law abiding citizens with concealed carry permits. They are safer and more responsible in the safe and proper use of firearms than even the American law enforcement community.

Perhaps Governor Scott was basing his decision on the government's own studies. According to the U.S. Department of Justice studies through their own National Institute of Justice /Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the FBI Uniform Crime Report, every year for the last two decades, there are fewer and declining violent crimes and fewer and declining gun accidents where law abiding citizens are allowed to keep and bear arms, both at home and in public. Essentially, according to NIJ/BJS and the FBI, more guns = less crime.

Note too that the safest and most responsible segments of our society are the 10 million+ law abiding citizens with concealed carry permits. They are safer and more responsible in the safe and proper use of firearms than even the American law enforcement community -- and certainly safer than the Occupy Movement who have resorted to blowing up bridges and overpasses.

[ichupichu]

Yet more republican hypocrisy. Once again this party shows a blatant disregard for the constitution by restricting free speech. What are they afraid of? Here they are decrying Obama's alleged attacks on the constitution yet deny protesters their right to free speech. They will do everything they can to stifle debate and control the dialog. So what they really mean is adhering to the constitution is only done when it is advantageous to them and crying foul when it is not. What a bunch of hacks. They are allowing the protesters to carry guns but not allowing them to speak. My guess is so they can shoot the protesters if they speak up. Fascist agenda all the way. Straight out of the Nazi how to rule the world manual.

[RAN7553]

I hate be the one to break this to you, but the restricted "event zone" is the work of the DEMOCRATIC-led Tampa City Commission and its DEMOCRATIC Mayor Bob Buckhorn. How's that crow taste?

[parrots7]

RAN, please read something, sometime. Dumb Dumb Repugs!!

[pr_boxer]

Would it be too much to hope for if I wished for real wild west shoot out?

[Lindag10]

The Republicans could hold it in the "event zone", sort of like "Gunfight at OK Corral". Film at 11:00.

[Obama4more]

That's what I'm banking on...

[smirk5]

"Guns will still not be allowed inside the convention hall or in the area directly around it"

Sorry, but that is still gun control. If people being armed makes them safer, why will they not allow citizens to freely carry inside the convention hall? Why won't Republican politicians speak out about this? Answer: because they love gun control when it's their butt on the line.

[AOCGUY]

Sometimes it is just plain embarassing to be a Floridian. Ironically for the first time I agree with Gov Scott "But it is unclear how disarming citizens would better protect them from the dangers and threats posed by those who would flout the law".

[Obama4more]

Well, about all I can see happening is some right-wing, bible thumping, Southern Baptist from Dallas will take a shot at Mittens for being a liberal Yankee cult member...

[twmat311]

Wouldn't it be ironic if the "event zone" turns into the site of some gun incident? You know it's going to get hot emotionally, and someone is bound to get unhinged - heaven knows it happens on the road over trivial things.

[AOCGUY]

It wouldn't be ironic it would be sad

[democracy8]

Talk about misplaced priorities...

[rpiny82]

The RNC people won't have anything to worry about from the occupy folks.

What I foresee is inside the convention an ever escalating argument between the establishment 'pubs and the baggers breaks out over who
loves Jesus the most. The lead will then fly.