Scott Won't Let Tampa Ban Guns During Republican Convention
TAMPA (CBSMiami) – As Tampa prepares for the Republican National Convention later this year, the city sought to ban most weapons in and around the convention. The city asked for a special allowance to ban guns in the area as well, to which Governor Rick Scott said no!
The security plan that was developed for Tampa and the RNC would ban firearms in the convention center as well as adjacent "safe zones" established by the Secret Service. Tampa asked to ban guns in the downtown area during the convention.
But Scott said that was too much to allow, even if the possibility of violent protests exist for the Republican Convention, much like they do for the Democratic convention.
"The short answer to your request is found in the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and in Article I, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution," Scott wrote. "These provision guarantee that the government may not infringe the people's right "to keep and bear arms."
Scott also said that sticks, poles, and water guns are banned, which is fine because they weren't mentioned in the Bill of Rights. Since they weren't mentioned in the Constitution, Scott says the area can ban anything but guns during the convention.
Scott also said that if people in the area are going to be in danger by people who ignore the law, "It is at just such times that the constitutional right to self defense is most precious and must be protected from government overreach."
