Letter: Hold the guns at GOP convention

I was at first amused and then later disturbed by an item on CNN’s website. It discusses a petition signed by more than 20,000 people to allow guns at the Republican National Convention.

The reasons cited include fear of terrorism and the belief that Cleveland is a violent city. It states Second Amendment rights as well as “… basic God-given rights to carry handguns or assault weapons in public.” Ohio is an open-carry state, but property owners can prohibit guns on their premises. The petition wants the governor, John Kasich, to use his executive authority to override Ohio’s “gun-free zone” laws.

I’m no biblical scholar, but I don’t think there is a verse in the Bible that discusses handguns or assault weapons. Gun rights advocates also like to forget that the Second Amendment refers to a well-regulated militia, not to a society of gun-slinging cowboys.

Now, I am all for the right to keep a gun(s) for protection or hunting. I have one on my bedside table, but I think protection at the convention should be left to professionals such as private security, police, or even the National Guard.

Also, given the pervasive hostility in this election, delegates might end up shooting one another when fighting over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. This might be a positive for Democrats, but no one really wants bloodshed. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Letter: Hold the guns at GOP convention."