Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - When Sen. John McCain appears at the National Rifle Association’s convention in Louisville not only will his security detail be armed, so will the audience! 

More than 60,000 members of the National Rifle Association are expected in Louisville May 16-20, and thanks to Kentucky’s concealed carry law, they can bring their guns with them.

“John McCain’s people (are) working with our people and security will rule the day,” Ashley Varner told WHAS11’s Joe Arnold, “But, he’s well aware that many of the members will probably bring firearms with them and he’s still excited to come and talk with them.”

The presumptive Republican Presidential nominee is scheduled to appear at the convention on Friday, May 16.

Varner says it’s “a treat” that the Kentucky Exposition Center - unlike previous NRA convention sites—allows concealed weapons.

The President of the Kentucky State Fair Board, Harold Workman, tells WHAS11 News that the concealed carry law has never posed a problem and the exposition center has never tried to get an exemption.

“The concealed carry law or the statute pertaining to that is what it is and we inherited that like any other private or public agency would that isn’t exempt,” Workman said.

Kentucky law does allow some public buildings to ban concealed weapons, like courthouses, jails, schools and city hall.  Private businesses can set their own rules.

The NRA website is alerting members that Kentucky recognizes concealed carry permits from all states. 

“Kentucky recognizes valid concealed carry permits from all states. Permits must be carried on your person and shown to law enforcement upon request.”

Concealed Carry permits are administered locally by the Jefferson County (KY) Sheriff’s Department.

“If they have a valid concealed carry deadly weapons permit with proper ID, then we recognize that,” said Col. Mike Hettich, the department’s Chief Deputy.

And Hettich says the NRA members with permits have training, so he is not concerned about the sudden influx of more guns in Louisville.

“The ones with permits do not scare me.  It’s the ones who don’t have a permit who are carrying that scare me,” Hettich said.

As for the McCain appearance, the U.S. Secret Service has not yet commented on whether it will allow anyone other than law enforcement to be armed near McCain.  The NRA suggests it’s no big deal.

“As long as people are concealing it, no one’s ever going to know,” Varner said, “So, it really won’t even make a difference.”

WHAS11 News is still waiting for a call back from the Transportation Safety Administration to see if they are making any special plans to handle what might be an increase of firearms in luggage at Louisville International Airport during the NRA convention.

why not they have the right to bare arms.

I trust members of the NRA over some politicians

I bet there wouldn't be any muggings going on in that area for the time the NRA will be there.

It's a right that all should have.

It is our constitutional right to bear arms....and we should always have that right.

As the officer said. It is those that have the guns and not the permit that need worried about.

Of course! The Bill Of Rights guarantees our choice to bear arms. We are law abiding citizens, not felons who don't give a about the law. The question is ridiculous.

sure they should,it's our second amendment right!

It's an NRA convention, not the million idiot march, of course they should be armed. If McCain does not like it he should go somewhere else and tell lies to fools he does not trust.

I believe it would be disturbing to not to allow citizens to be armed at any time, escecially during the NRA Convention. The exercise of the Second Amendment is critical and the safety of each American depends on those individuals that exercise that Right, including myself. That right should be protected at all cost and many citizens are prepared to pay that price.

Those of us who are NRA members are the conscientious law abiding people who hold the U.S. Constitution and our laws dearest to our hearts and minds. We are the ones who carry legally, with permits, after having been screened appropriately to determine we are the "good guys".

It's a every day thing with my wife and myself.

i would hope senator mccain would feel very safe there...louisville will be the safest city on earth this weekend.

Absolutely, these are the most law abiding people in the country. They should be welcome at any public gathering or place.

I think they should .This would prevent anyone from causing massive collateral damage to a very large group of people.

There is no reason that law-abiding citizens should not be allowed to carry a gun for self-defense.

The question should be "Do you think that 60,000 NRA members really care what you think about them being armed?"

Common sense...

I'm pro-choice. They should be neither required to be armed, nor prohibited from being armed. They should have the right to choose.

I would think that should be a no-brainer. Of course. In fact, they should also be allowed to sling-carry any rifles if they feel like it.

What do you think?