Despite the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, firearms will still be allowed in certain areas outside the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, which begins Monday evening.
Wisconsin state law permits guns in the “soft” security zone, the outer perimeter of the downtown convention site, where 50,000 attendees are expected over the four-day event.
However, there are specific restrictions. Machine guns, other fully automatic weapons, and silencers are prohibited in the outer perimeter, according to Axios. Additionally, weapons are banned from the convention itself and its “inner perimeter.”
Some local officials attempted to extend the gun ban to the outer zone, but they were unable to override Wisconsin’s open and concealed carry laws, which prevent cities and towns from enacting their own gun regulations, Forbes reported.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers requested the U.S. Secret Service on Sunday to prohibit firearms in the outside perimeter following the Saturday shooting, but this request is expected to be unsuccessful, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted.
U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley confirmed to the paper that the agency has no authority over local firearm laws.
Trump announced over the weekend that he did not wish to postpone the convention despite the assassination attempt. Officials have assured that the city is prepared for the event and believe it will be safe and secure.
Brian Schimming, the Wisconsin Republican Party chairman, stated on Sunday that the convention will proceed as scheduled. Schimming expressed confidence in the security arrangements, despite the assassination attempt, according to the New York Times.
“We are all praying and thinking about the victims. And we will have a convention very, very focused on the future of this country with Donald Trump,” he said.