Florida state law has trumped common sense as the Republican Party prepares for its national convention in Tampa later this year.

 

In developing security measures for the August 27-30 event, city officials have prohibited protesters from carrying squirt guns into the authorized protest zone.

 

But not real guns.

 

Tampa leaders wanted to ban people from carrying handguns, but were prevented by a 2011 state law that forbids local governments from enacting ordinances regulating guns.

 

“It was just kind of common sense,” Assistant City Attorney Mauricio Rodriguez told the Tampa Bay Times. “We felt if we’re going to regulate people carrying sticks and poles, why wouldn't we regulate people carrying firearms, because those could pose significant risks to police and other protesters.”

 

Real guns will be prohibited in the convention itself because the gathering will be under the authority of the Secret Service.

 

In addition to squirt guns, demonstrators will not be allowed to bring in super soakers, air guns, paintball guns, containers containing urine or feces, tape or string longer than 6 inches, glass containers, ceramic vessels, light bulbs, padlocks and bicycle locks, gas masks, coolers, camping gear thermoses, ladders and umbrellas with metal tips.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky