‘Ludicrous’: Shock item allowed at Trump event

To get within a kilometre of Donald Trump at a huge event this week you’ll be banned from carrying scores of items – except a very worrying one.

Just days after Donald Trump came within millimetres of being assassinated, he will be the guest of honour at a week-long event that will see him crowned as the Republican nominee for president.

The Republican National Convention (RNC) kicks off on Monday (US time) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Trump expected to officially accept the nomination on Thursday. The Vice Presidential nominee will also be announced.

Security was already tight, with entire blocks of Milwaukee’s CBD shut off to protect Trump, scores of high profile Republicans and thousands of spectators and delegates who will gather at hotels, a conference centre and a stadium.

With the death of rally goer Corey Comperatore and the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, security has been ramped up even more.

But there is one item that will not be banned in the RNC’s host city.

Guns.

A Make America Great Again sign ahead of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The City of Milwaukee has listed a vast array of restrictions in the vicinity of the RNC which runs from July 15-18.

Within the security perimeter – the streets around the venues – many obvious items will be banned including drones, mace, fireworks and explosives. Other items banned include swords, aerosol cans and lighters. While ladders are also not allowed through the security cordon.

It’s a hard no to air rifles or BB guns. But a gun – well that’s just fine.

It’s a loophole that shows just how ingrained firearms are in the US psyche.

Wisconsin state law, which allows people to carry guns openly or concealed, has prevented Milwaukee’s city council from restricting guns.

Last month, the council considered at least restricting guns during the RNC but to no avail.

Security fences surrounding the security zone in central Milwaukee, where tennis balls are not allowed but guns are welcome. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP

‘Guns, but no tennis balls’

Some think it’s absurd.

“No one could have contemplated when that statute was approved that there would be a national convention in Milwaukee with 30,000 to 50,000 people and the potential for significant protest activity and a fair amount of violence and disorder,” City councillor Robert Bauman, who represents downtown Milwaukee said last month, long before the events in Pennsylvania.

“Adding guns to the mix is almost ludicrous when tennis balls are prohibited,” Mr Bauman said.

Council President Jose G Perez told local newspaper the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “everyone feels uncomfortable with guns” at the RNC.

“But we can’t violate state statute.

“We expect the Police Department and all the other entities working and organising the RNC to make sure it’s safe for everyone,” Mr Perez said.

“But it is a concern.”

Police from all over the US have been drafted into Milwaukee. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via AFP

Bizarre list of prohibited items

The laissez faire attitude to guns doesn’t stretch to the venues themselves or the so-called “hard security zone” directly in front of them. Here they are indeed banned. But many of the events and venues convention-goers will attend are in the gun zone.

There are also some more curious items that are restricted at the event. String, ceramic vessels, containers of “bodily fluid or waste,” canned goods, and yes, tennis balls.

Meanwhile, the must-have fashion accessory in Milwaukee is clear RNC branded plastic handbags.

Enclosed bags, with contents unseen, could pose as security threat, so clear bags are all the rage.

It’s not just banned items but certain actions will see the police arrest you.

These include obstructing streets or entryways to buildings, “camping” or abandoning items

Also illegal will be “attaching oneself to another person, building or other fixture to obstruct the public’s ability to move freely”.

That rule is squarely aimed at protesters who might attempt to block roads around the RNC in co-ordinated protests.

Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem is seen onstage at the Fiserv Forum during preparations for the Republican National Convention. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images via AFP

Huge moment for Trump

Aside from Trump and his VP pick, the RNC will also include speeches by swathes of Republicans fully on board team Trump.

That includes his former adversaries including Florida Governor Ron De Santis who at one point was considered a front runner for the nomination before Mr Trump steamrolled all before him.

Nikki Haley is also expected to speak. Long after the other candidates for the nomination dropped out, the former US ambassador to the UN remained in contention. She said it was to ensure Republicans knew there was an alternative and had an option to vote for a different view of the presidency.

Ms Haley and Trump have only barely patched things up. Her invite to speak only occurred last week, it’s been reported.

The official Republican Party Platform will also be debated at the RNC.

Published just days ago the 5400 word document it sets out the party’s goals in office.

Its notable as much for what it enthusiastically includes as to what it barely mentions.

Originally published as ‘Ludicrous’: Shock item allowed at Trump event