In one of the most head-scratching security gaffs at this month's Republican National Convention, attendees will be banned from bringing water pistols or soda cans, but they're allowed to pack assault weapons.
That's because the convention's rules say toys such as "Super Soakers," cans and bottles of soda, metal-tipped umbrellas and tennis balls — yes, you heard that right — will not be allowed inside the 1.7-square-mile "event zone" around the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
At the same time, Ohio is an "open carry" state, where owners of firearms can legally carry them in public places. That law even includes, legally-obtained assault weapons,
The Independent reports.
Visitors to this month's Republican convention won't be allowed to drink a can of fizzy drink, play tennis or squirt a Super Soaker inside the 1.7-square-mile "event zone" around the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland. But they will be able to carry a loaded firearm.
"That's what we have to abide by — state law, open carry," Cleveland city spokesman Dan Williams told
U.S. News and World Report.
The convention, from July 18-21, will be held under extraordinarily tight security.
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