Tell Us: Are you bothered by the Secret Service banning guns from the NRA event?

WHAS11 coverage

Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - It's expected to bring some 60,000 people to Louisville and some prominent political figures, including presidential candidate John McCain.

The NRA convention starts Friday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

We first told you on WHAS11 news that guns would be allowed at Friday's event with McCain. Now we've learned that's changed.

The south wing was bustling with activity Thursday, the day before the National Rifle Association Convention opens in Louisville.  Workers set up 8,000 chairs for the sold-out program featuring Republican presidential candidate John McCain. 

Guns are not barred from the state-owned south wing of the Fairgrounds Convention Center and John McCain's campaign folks said it was fine with them if NRA members with valid concealed carry permits brought guns into his speech.  But since our story last week, the Secret Service has stepped in.

But NRA members who walk through the doors will be greeted by metal detectors, they won't be allowed to carry in weapons, even if they have a valid concealed carry permit.

According to an NRA spokesperson, Secret Service members have stepped in and said while firearms will still be allowed in the convention center, they will not be allowed in the Celebration of American Values Forum.

NRA members WHAS11 talked to say they're not upset with guns being barred from an NRA event.

About 60,000 NRA members are expected for the weekend convention. 

Critics say the NRA has too much political power and goes too far in protecting gun rights, keeping guns in the hands of criminals.  Members say it's exactly the opposite.

Louisville was chosen as the convention site because the city is centrally located and has a brand new wing at the Fair and Expo Center. 

A spokesperson for the NRA says another factor in Louisville landing the big convention was Kentucky’s law allowing permit holders to carry concealed guns.

The National Rifle Association boasts 4-million dues paying members.

If you have a permit then you are a law abiding American Citizen...

I did not attend because of

I am not, leave them in your glovebox or whatever, except to branish and gloat theres no need to have our guns inside, someone who respects them and upholds their rights would not risk an incident while the security at the event should be trusted to do their job which is made much easie3r by justing saying leave them at home or check them at the door.

As an NRA member I certainly understand the need of the SS to protect the next POTUS... but only in that specific building/room where McCain is speaking. Citizens with carry permits should be allowed to carry if they choose outside of that specific building/room.

The Constitution is for everyone, we are equal. If the SS can't protect someone at the NRA convention without violating the Constitution, perhaps they need to re-think their operations.

The NRA needs to reflect on it's own values. We should be allowed to carry with a permit. If the SS doesn't like it they need to keep the puppet in his box!

Every thing McCain will say at the convention will be contradicted by the Secret Service action on that day

Why should we even have second ammendment rights if any government agency can step in and strip them away when they deem it necessary?

If everyone showed with arms.. they couldnt stop us all. We out number them 1000 to 1. Show up and tell his ass he's not welcome.

I could care less. Im not a gun owner, nor am I a supporter of mccain.

Duh. Of course they have to ban guns. You really think it would be a sane policy to allow an auditorium of NRA knuckle-draggers to pack HEAT around a semi-moderate presidential candidate? There's always going to be a wingnut with an itchy trigger finger.
The Secret Service and the Police Department and every sane American all agree with the NRA on this point: Guns don't kill people, people with guns kill people. The only disagreement is with the NRA's refusal to see the obvious conclusion to their slogan: DISARM those people with guns!

If they don't like guns, then stay away. Why is the NRA kow-towing to anti-gun politicians. The NRA should tell them not to show-up. We either have the RKBA or we don't. This is the typical NRA compromise-our-rights-away attitude.

gun hating RINO. (Republican in name only)

You would think all these NRA fanatics would be "up in arms" over the fact that they can't carry a gun into the NRA convention. What a joke these guys are.

Not even a small pocket knife.

Metal detectors did not stop the terrorists on 9-11. Good guys stopped one plane from being used as a missile. Good guys with guns could have stopped all the hijackings.

The NRA said never again to Americans being deprived of the rights to keep and bear arms, unless if is at their own gun rights convention. What Hypocrisy!

I didn't invite McCain. Didn't invite the Feds either. I'm not going now, and if NRA lets this stand, I will not renew my membership.

The Secret Service can take a hike.

Who would expect anything different. There would be an anti-gunner who would love a chance to shoot someone like this, just to further that crowd.

What do you think?