People will be allowed to carry guns just blocks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next month, where former President Trump is set to formally become the GOP nominee for president.
According to a security plan local and federal law enforcement authorities released Friday, weapons won’t be allowed within a designated inner perimeter, but people will be able to carry their firearms openly or concealed elsewhere as allowed under state law.
The security plan also includes two specific areas for demonstrators, expected to be in the hundreds, to gather.
The U.S. Secret Service released maps Friday showing a designated parade route and the protest zones.
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Nick DeSiato, chief of staff to Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson (D), said during a news conference that the strict rules will allow for “more access for folks to have their demonstrated or free speech rights to be permitted within sight and sound of the actual event.”
More than 100 organizations have applied to demonstrate at the convention so far. The two staging areas are not within the gun free zone.
Those who plan to protest the gathering have argued that the convention’s protest zones are so far out that they won’t be seen or heard.