The number has risen by the hundreds each hour. A petition to carry firearms at the Republican National Convention has reached 32,000 signatures. The petition’s page shows the number needed to reach 35,000.

The top of the petition reads:

RECOGNIZE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO OPEN CARRY FIREARMS AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AT THE QUICKEN LOANS ARENA IN JULY 2016

The petition goes on to give reasons for why the guns should be carried

This is a direct affront to the Second Amendment and puts all attendees at risk. As the National Rifle Association has made clear, “gun-free zones” such as the Quicken Loans Arena are “the worst and most dangerous of all lies.” The NRA, our leading defender of gun rights, has also correctly pointed out that “gun free zones… tell every insane killer in America … (the) safest place to inflict maximum mayhem with minimum risk.” (March 4, 2016 and Dec. 21, 2012)

And the oddest reason has to do with Cleveland’s crime rate:

Cleveland, Ohio is consistently ranked as one of the top ten most dangerous cities in America. By forcing attendees to leave their firearms at home, the RNC and Quicken Loans Arena are putting tens of thousands of people at risk both inside and outside of the convention site.

Yes, and all those criminals will lay siege to the Quicken Loan Arena, a good reason for attendees to arm themselves.

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