Despite the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, guns will still be permitted outside the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee when it starts on Monday evening.
Wisconsin state law allows guns in the “soft” security zone, or the outside perimeter, of the downtown Milwaukee convention area where 50,000 people are expected to gather for the four-day event. However, there are some regulations: machine guns, other fully automatic firearms, and silencers are not allowed in the outer perimeter. Guns are also banned inside the convention and within the event’s “inner perimeter.”
Efforts by some city officials to ban guns in the outer zone were unsuccessful, as Wisconsin’s open and concealed carry laws prevent cities or towns from creating their own gun regulations. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers requested the U.S. Secret Service on Sunday to bar guns in the outside perimeter following the assassination attempt, but this request is likely to be unsuccessful as the U.S. Secret Service stated they do not have control over local gun laws.
Despite the assassination attempt, Trump expressed over the weekend that he did not want to delay the convention. Officials have assured that the city is prepared and confident in providing a safe and secure environment for the event. Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming confirmed on Sunday that the convention will proceed as planned and expressed confidence in the security measures in place.