Republicans in Indiana have passed a lot of pro-gun laws, but sadly, their convention is likely to be gun-free (unless a criminal shows up).
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Three months after touting their success at passing a law to allow guns in cars in school parking lots, Indiana Republicans won’t be able to carry firearms into the main venues at the party’s state convention next month because of policies at those sites.
“Oh my gosh. That’s ironical,” state Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, told The Journal Gazette. “It could be a problem for some people but I haven’t heard a lot of angst. Some will be up in arms about it.”
The convention is being held June 6-7 in Fort Wayne, the first time it’s been held outside Indianapolis. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus are headlining the convention. Events will be held at the Parkview Field baseball stadium, the downtown Embassy Theatre will feature a concert by Kenny Loggins and the party convention will be at the Grand Wayne Center.
Allen County Republican Party Chairman Steve Shine said all three venues have policies against firearms and he doesn’t expect them to change for the convention. He said he hasn’t heard much about the topic.
“That’s the normal policy,” he said.
Nearly 1,800 delegates will be picking their candidates for secretary of state, state treasurer and auditor at the convention.
The gun issue came up during an organizational meeting Monday with representatives from the party, Grand Wayne, Embassy and Parkview. Embassy Marketing Director Barb Richards said there was no major discussion about it.
Mike Nutter, president of the TinCaps baseball team, said signs in front of Parkview Field have a picture of a gun with a line through it indicating firearms are not allowed.
“It is our standard policy,” he said.
Source: http://www.jconline.com/story/news/local/indiana/2014/05/20/republican-convention-gun-free-sites/9341695/
Here’s a question, why not change venues? Hit them where it hurts, their pockets.