In an open-carry state, Dave Ross has to pack patience to Republican Convention
Jul 17, 2016, 8:23 AM
Those people going to the Republican National Convention next week have been given the rules on what can be brought into the secure zone. And it isn’t much.
Anything that can shoot anything is banned within the Secret Service perimeter. They’ve also banned swords, sabers, hatchets, slingshots, metal knuckles, axes, nun-chucks. There are to be no lasers, sleeping bags, cook stoves, bullhorns, canned food, containers of bodily fluids, aerosol cans, tape, string, locks or tennis balls.
“What about my right to keep and bear tennis balls?” KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross asked.
Related: Drama at convention nothing compared to ‘basket case’
CBS talked with Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy just how dangerous this convention could be.
“I would say the candidate threat picture is slightly elevated …”
“Even compared to 2012 and 2008?” a CBS reporter asked.
“Yes…,” Clancy said. Demonstrators “threatening harm to the candidates, being disruptive, and some just wanting to be heard, are willing to do whatever — in terms of jumping over barriers — to be heard. We have to be prepared for that.”
Of course, attack that left five police officers dead in Dallas has the Cleveland police chief gaming out every possible scenario.
“We have table-topped this from day 1 until yesterday,” he said. “Everything that can and will happen we have planned for.”
The other complicating factor is that Ohio is an open-carry state. Like Dallas, demonstrators could be carrying weapons. However, those will not be allowed into the inner security zone setup by secret service.
The only attempts that lead to arrests during conventions were against Donald Trump.
Security rules in Cleveland pretty much guarantees if anybody tries to go after a candidate they will have to use their bare hands.
So just pack your patience, because you’re going to be waiting in long lines.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
