Kentucky delegates gather Monday morning in the courtyard of the Intercontinental Suites for the Republican National Convention. (Photo: The Enquirer/Scott Wartman)

CLEVELAND — Despite the Republicans’ fondness for the Second Amendment, the U.S. Secret Service won’t allow firearms into the perimeter around Quicken Loans Arena, where the Republican National Convention kicked off Monday.

Former Campbell County Judge-executive Lloyd Rogers found that out firsthand Sunday when the Secret Service stopped him and temporarily confiscated his Derringer pistol he had as he went through security. Rogers, 83, said he has a legal concealed carry license. He was attending a preliminary event for the convention, he said.

Rogers, 83, is traveling with the Kentucky delegation but is not a delegate. It caused no issues other than some ribbing from other delegates, Rogers said. He said he needs to carry a pistol because, “After you’re a county judge for awhile, you make enemies,” Rogers said.

“Sometimes you’ve got to defend yourself,” Rogers said.

Guns are allowed in downtown Cleveland but not allowed in Quicken Loans Arena or the perimeter surrounding the arena, according to the Secret Service.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said Monday that Republican National Convention security authorities considered suspending the law this week that allows for open carry of firearms, but scuttled that proposal following a legal analysis, USA TODAY reported. The issue was revived Sunday by the local police union following a deadly ambush of three police officers earlier in the day in Baton Rouge and the murders of five officers in Dallas earlier this month.

Scott Wartman writes for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottWartman

Poster Comment:

Trump and Rudy Giuliani are likely packing. But a judge from Kentucky, oh NO!

All rednecks please turn in your guns if Trump is elected, thank you.