Cops ask Ohio Guv to restrict gun laws during Republican Convention

Cleveland, July 18: Head of Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association Stephen Loomis has asked Ohio Governor John Kasich to temporarily restrict the state's gun laws during the tenure of the Republican National Convention (RNC) beginning here on Monday (July 18), the CNN reported.

• US presidential election 2016 schedules and results
• US presidential election 2016: Who won which state

The call came in the wake of two attacks on policemen in Dallas and Baton Rouge inside a week, resulting in the death of eight men in unform in all and injury to many others. [Over 100 women pose nude to protest against Trump]

"We are sending a letter to Gov. Kasich requesting assistance from him. He could very easily do some kind of executive order or something -- I don't care if it's constitutional or not at this point," CNN quoted Loomis as saying.

Kasich, a former Republican presidential candidate himself, however, expressed his helplessness in this regard as he said Ohio governors do not have the authority to "arbitrarily suspend federal and state constitutional rights or state laws as suggested", the CNN added.

Ohio's so-called "open carry" gun laws allow licensed firearm owners to openly carry their weapons. Barring a small "secure zone" inside and around the Quicken Loans, a premier sports and entertainment facility in northeast Ohio, walking with firearm is allowed around the city, including in the event zone.

The police union head also said strict monitoring will be in place over who is entering the downtown area, where the four-day convention would take place, with a weapon.

The law-keepers' first big test will be when the convention opens as outfits like Citizens for Trump and Black on Black Crime, Inc. among others, will hold rallies and events.

Citizens for Trump even said that special forces have been fired for security although it was not clear who would provide the extra security, the CNN said.

Oneindia News