Cleveland Police Representative Seeks to Illegally "Suspend" Gun Laws and Constitutional Rights

Steve Loomis, the president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, has called for Governor Kasich to suspend Ohio open carry laws during the Republican National Convention.

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) denounces this outrageous request in the strongest possible terms and calls on Loomis to retract this unconstitutional and illegal request.

Loomis was quoted by CNN, saying, "We are sending a letter to Gov. Kasich requesting assistance from him. He could very easily do some kind of executive order or something -- I don't care if it's constitutional or not at this point ... They can fight about it after the RNC or they can lift it after the RNC, but I want him to absolutely outlaw open-carry in Cuyahoga County until this RNC is over."

While BFA strongly supports law enforcement, and while we share the heartache from recent police shootings and the added stress of dealing with the Republican National Convention, we reject the idea that laws can be unilaterally suspended on a whim.

Gov. Kasich issued a statement saying he will not entertain Loomis' request. "We applaud the response of Gov. Kasich," said Dean Rieck, Executive Director of BFA. "In response to this shocking request, he correctly stated that he does not have the power to arbitrarily suspend laws and constitutional rights."

Others in law enforcement do not share Loomis' view. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams took a far more level-headed tone, saying that police would respect citizens' Second Amendment rights. He also assured the public that officers have experience with openly armed gun owners at a variety of rallies in downtown Cleveland.

In addition, a recent survey of the National Association of Chiefs of Police confirms that rank and file law enforcement overwhelmingly support guns in the hands of civilians. When asked "Can qualified, law-abiding armed citizens help law enforcement reduce violent criminal activity?" 76% of respondents said "yes."

"While we may agree with Steve on a number of things, we think he may be out of touch with rank and file police," said Rieck. "Most support robust gun rights. Most want police and citizens to work together to enforce and comply with laws. For a long-time member of the law enforcement community to call for the suspension of state law is deeply troubling.

"One of Cleveland's problems is that many of its officials have been proud to violate gun laws. Our leaders and law enforcement should be setting a positive example to uphold and comply with the law, not promote the idea of subverting the law."

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, #1 NRA Recruiter for 2013, business owner and partner with Second Call Defense.

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WATCH Buckeye Firearms Association's Jim Irvine debate Loomis on CNN: