Trump supporters encouraged to enter competition at Republican National Convention to win same style of gun used in his assassination attempt

A sign at the Republican National Convention might cause Aussies’ eyebrows to raise but Trump supporters say they have “no issue”.

Supporters of Donald Trump at a massive Republican Party jamboree in the US are being encouraged to enter a giveaway to win an AR-15 semiautomatic assault rifle just days after he was shot with the exact same style of firearm.

And attendees at the Republican National Convention (RNC) have been falling over themselves to be part of the competition.

“I want to go and (enter),” one attendee told news.com.au.

While a Texan told said that if one part of Australia would get on board a competition where you could get a free gun, it would be Queensland – specifically Rockhampton.

“In Little Rocky they don’t think the way you do. They would be gun toting”.

Thomas Matthew Crook, 20, used an AR-15-style rifle in his attempted assassination of Trump at campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

The AR-15 can hold 30 bullets per magazine with one slug released per trigger squeeze. But as it automatically reloads after a round is discharged a shot per second is very feasible.

More than 15 million AR-15s - which retail for about $3700 - have been sold in the US.

The AR-15 giveaway at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Picture: Benedict Brook

The AR-15 competition was found in a part of the RNC called Convention Fest, where attendees could grab a beer, buy a Trump souvenir T-shirt and listen to conservative groups railing against President Joe Biden, rising inflation and “gender ideology”.

As Convention Fest was in the “hard security zone” of the RNC, no guns were actually allowed in that area, although firearms were allowed in an outer, less stringent, security zone.

The competition is being held by the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) in conjunction with arms manufacturer Daniel Defense.

“Scan the QR code, enter your information and you’ll be entered for the opportunity to win. No purchase necessary,” Anthony, who worked on the stall, said.

Donald Trump sporting a bandage on a wound that his received from an AR-15. Picture: Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

“It’s not just about guns; it’s about being situationally aware and knowing first aid,” he said.

The USCCA stated its mission is to “stop crime, save lives and fight for you Second Amendment (gun) rights”.

The organisation helps organise training courses on how to use firearms but also other self-defence strategies. It also offers insurance should you get into legal hot water after a shooting incident.

“Even if you said, ‘I’m not pro-gun, I would never own a gun,’ you do have an interest in making sure that if you’re injured, not just in a firearm related incident, you know how to take care of yourself while you wait for a first responder or an ambulance,” Anthony told news.com.au.

“We rely on law enforcement but they could be minutes away while the person trying to do me harm is right here in front of me.”

Gregory Switzer, from Texas, already has an AR015 so didn’t never the competition in Milwaukee. Picture: Benedict Brook

‘Queensland’s like the US’

Texas local Gregory Switzer told news.com.au he wouldn’t be rushing over to the stall. For one very good reason.

“I already have an AR-15,” Mr Switzer said.

“I’m not a gun collector, I only own what I need.

“The AR-15 is very convenient for hunting, but its primary purpose,” Mr Switzer, with a dramatic pause for effect said “ … is to squash tyranny”.

A former Marine, Mr Switzer worked with Australian military personnel stationed in the US. He got in so well with them he has been several times to Rockhampton (“Little Rocky”) to visit them.

He said his pals had become “acclimated” to the US.

“They were gun toting and when Australia had this idea about gun grabbing, and got everyone to voluntarily turn in their weapons, they thought that was the most mad idea,” he said.

“They’re up in Queensland and they think a heck of a lot more like those of us in the western United States.”

Australia tightened its firearm laws in 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre where 35 people died. The gun used by killer Martin Bryant was also an AR-15 style.

In the US, they have been used in around 90 mass shootings.

The AR-15 style rifle is one of the most famous. Picture: Patrick T. FALLON / AFP

‘Knives kill too’

Candice Bright, from Arkansas, said she saw “no issue” in the gun giveaway.

“I think I would go and (enter the competition),” she told news.com.au.

“If my family was going to have the potential of getting a free AR-15, then sure.”

Ms Bright’s friend, who didn’t want to give her name, wasn’t fussed by the lethality of such a powerful prize.

“You have knives in Australia,” she said. “Knives can kill people”.

Anthony from the USCCA said the organisation didn’t just appeal to Republicans.

“Americans don’t think that gun ownership is isolated to one political party,” he insisted.

Guns not banned

The City of Milwaukee had listed a vast array of restrictions in the vicinity of the RNC which runs until July 18.

Within the outer security perimeter – the streets around the venues – many obvious items have been banned including drones, air rifles, fireworks and explosives. But other, less obvious items are also banned such as ladders, lumber and even tennis balls.

However guns are allowed in this area. Chiefly that’s due Wisconsin state law which allows people to carry guns openly or concealed.

But it would also logistically complicated for the police to check everybody within this large security perimeter.

Originally published as Trump supporters encouraged to enter competition at Republican National Convention to win same style of gun used in his assassination attempt