Republicans, and President Donald Trump, in particular, are known for denouncing "gun-free zones" as part of the problems around mass shootings. The Fox News argument, from Pete Hegseth to Sean Hannity, is that these zones essentially prevented “good guys with guns” from having the ability to shoot back and take down a mass shooter.
It's an interesting claim since, in Ohio and Gilroy, California, the shooter was able to be taken down in less than one minute. In Ohio, there were still nine people killed and 36 injured. In California, there were three dead and 12 wounded. These so-called "good guys with guns" still couldn't prevent the mass shooting or prevent the loss of life. Increased security still couldn't stop the mass shooting or the loss of life.
Yet, the Republican claim remains: gun-free zones are the most dangerous places, and more guns are necessary. If that was true, why then do Republicans and right-wing groups have their own gun-free zones for their events? If they genuinely believed in the "good guy with a gun" philosophy, they wouldn't continue to use gun-free zones.
Here are examples of the places Republicans won't let you bring guns while they oppose gun-free zones:
1. Trump rallies
President Donald Trump hides behind the skirt of the Secret Service that works to protect him, his family, and other elected leaders. But a president generally has the purview to tell his Secret Service what he would like. Surely, the president believes that his supporters are perfect examples of "good guys with guns." His campaign gathers extensive information on those attending his rallies in advance of the events. The campaign could share that information with the Secret Service to ensure anyone flagged wouldn't be allowed in the rally with a gun. The president could also make his speeches behind bulletproof glass as he did at the Lincoln Memorial during the Fourth of July celebration. Instead, the president rails against gun-free zones, while utilizing them himself.
2. The White House
The same methodology used to prevent Trump's "good" supporters from carrying guns is used at the White House. The difference, however, is an absurd amount of security is required to enter the White House. The Secret Service gathers information on every person entering the White House for a tour, and they're nowhere near the president for the mansion tour. Still, it remains a gun-free zone, thanks to the president.
3. Congress
Republican officials similarly hide behind the "gun-free zone" while railing against it. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced a bill to get rid of all gun-free zones in schools. If he believes gun-free zones are the problems, he will get rid of the gun-free zone around the U.S. Capitol and House and Senate office buildings. Instead, he too hides behind his gun-free zone.
“Gun-free zones are ineffective and make our schools less safe," Says @RepThomasMassie, introducing a bill to repea… https://t.co/zUrhmbIbvm— Nate Madden (@Nate Madden) 1560355189.0
4. The NRA Convention
Just a few days ago, the NRA tweeted out that gun-free zones don't work. They even noted that 89 percent of mass shootings occur in such zones.
GUN-FREE ZONES DON'T WORK: A study from @CrimeResearch1 shows 89 percent of mass shootings between 1998 and June 20… https://t.co/cDoFCvhDxA— NRA (@NRA) 1564697340.0
Yet, when it's time for their annual convention, supporters couldn't bring guns while the political leaders were speaking. It was a rule imposed by the Secret Service, which the president and vice president could have told they wanted people to be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Indeed, the NRA could have worked with the White House and Secret Service to ensure no gun-free zone existed.
5. The National Republican Convention
Similarly, no guns were allowed at the 2016 Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. State law allowed open-carry, but the arena has long been a gun-free zone.
"In accordance with the Ohio's 'concealed carry' law and the right for private entities to ban handguns on their premises, firearms and other weapons of any kind are strictly forbidden on the premises of Quicken Loans Arena," states the arena's policies and procedures site.
If Republicans truly believed that gun-free zones were dangerous, they wouldn't have held their convention in an area that demanded a gun-free zone.
6. Mar-a-Lago
As with the White House, Mar-a-Lago is a gun-free zone.
"Pocket knives, laser pointers, pepper spray, and any other items deemed to be a safety hazard are not permitted on property," a letter from the club told members. "Any items surrendered will not be returned."
Each member of Mar-a-Lago is vetted by the club and presumably the secret service, who guards the property around the clock. Yet, none of those so-called "good guys" are allowed to bring guns.
7. Republican Town Hall meetings
Republicans are typically fearful of holding town hall meetings, to begin with. After the shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ), Republicans were fine with guns in their town hall meetings. Yet, when things took a turn against Republicans in Congress in 2017, they were quick to proclaim their town hall meetings gun-free.
"At this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety," Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) said in a statement. "The House Sergeant at Arms advised us after former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot at a public appearance, that civilian attendees at Congressional public events stand the most chance of being harmed or killed — just as happened there."
