Cleveland Police Union President Steve Loomis is reportedly preparing to ask Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) to suspend the open carry laws in Cuyahoga County for the Republican National Convention this week, Fox affiliate WJW reported Sunday.
His comments came hours after a shooting in Baton Rouge left three police officers dead.
“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,” Loomis reportedly told CNN.
He also said that he is requesting that officers don’t work alone at intersections as part of the RNC’s security.
Kasich released a statement through his office in response calling law enforcement a “noble, essential calling.” He went on to say he couldn’t suspend the law.
“Ohio governors do not have the power to arbitrarily suspend federal and state constitutional rights or state laws as suggested,” Kasich said in the statement. “The bonds between our communities and police must be reset and rebuilt — as we’re doing in Ohio — so our communities and officers can both be safe. Everyone has an important role to play in that renewal.”
