Conservatives Ban Guns At Their Own Conferences To ‘Keep It Safe’

There are a few staples at nearly any conservative conference, whether in Des Moines or Dallas or Denver. Americana songs, often written by liberal musicians, roar as speakers enter and exit the stage. When asked why they are there, attendees explain that they “want their country back.” And “no weapons allowed” signs are plastered on the outside doors.

This last element is surprising, considering the conservative philosophy on guns. This thinking holds that the public is actually safer if everyone is allowed to carry guns because armed, law-abiding citizens would dissuade criminals from committing violence. Yet in conservative events across the country, from the Americans For Prosperity (AFP) convention in Milwaukee last weekend to Allen West town halls in south Florida, attendees are instructed to leave their weapons at home.

One AFP official explained to ThinkProgress the thinking behind the weapons ban:

My guess is we wanted to keep it safe.

Indeed, as this comment suggests, there must be room in the debate over guns to implement commonsense regulations for public safety.

The question remains though. If conservatives really do believe that guns keep us safe, then why are they consistently banning them from conservative events?