The Movement... In late March, a change.org petition to allow guns at the GOP National Convention this July made its rounds on the internet. The petition currently has nearly 54,000 out of a goal of 75,000 signatures. While open carry is permitted in the state of Ohio, the Quicken Loans Arena has a private policy prohibiting the presence of firearms — open carry or concealed — on the property. The writer of the petition expresses concern about the safety of convention attendees, citing National Rifle Association quotes which claim that gun free zones are the most vulnerable to mass shooting attacks: “[the] safest place to inflict maximum mayhem with minimum risk.” They claim that leaving firearms at home puts “tens of thousands of people at risk.” “This doesn’t even begin to factor in the possibility of an ISIS terrorist attack on the arena during the convention,” the petition writer, identified only as “The Hypernationalist,” continues. “Without the right to protect themselves, those at the Quicken Loans Arena will be sitting ducks, utterly helpless against evil-doers, criminals or others who wish to threaten the American way of life.” “All three remaining Republican candidates have spoken out on the issue and are unified in their opposition to Barack HUSSEIN Obama’s ‘gun-free zones.’”
The writer’s main argument is that the policies of the Quicken Loans Arena should not supercede the 2nd Amendment rights given to US citizens by the Constitution. Five demands are outlined in the petition. They include 1) a suspension of the arena’s policies during the Republican National Convention, 2) the NRA’s condemnation of the gun-free zone loophole in Ohio state law, 3) an effort from Gov. John Kasich to override this loophole, 4) an explanation on the choice of venue from the Republican National Committee, and 5) support for the petition from all three Republican presidential candidates. On Monday, March 28, Secret Service spokesperson Robert K. Hoback responded to the petition’s supporters: “Title 18 United States Code Sections 3056 and 1752 provides the Secret Service authority to preclude firearms from entering sites visited by our protectees, including those located in open-carry states.” Despite the petition’s many supporters, only security personnel working in conjunction with the Secret Service will be allowed to carry guns during the convention. Any unauthorized individual will not be allowed into the arena with firearms. All three Republican presidential candidates have been asked about the petition. None have directly supported it. Gov. John Kasich responded with “All that matters is what the Secret Service
Hannah Kloppenburg
Commentary Editor
Voters headed to the polls this past Tuesday for the City of Bixby Special Utility Franchise election, as well as the City of Collinsville, City of Glenpool, City of Jenks, City of Owasso, City of Sapulpa and City of Tulsa Special Elections. The Tulsa County Sheriff Special General and Special Proposition Elections were also held. Results for the Tulsa County elections are as follows: Vic Regalado (R) will be Tulsa County’s next sheriff. Regalado beat out Rex Berry (D) for sheriff 62 percent to 38 percent. Regalado is a sergeant and a Tulsa Police Department detective. He has extensive experience with police work as well as law enforcement education and training. Regalado is a Medal of Valor recipient. His platform focuses on his qualifications and accomplishments within the police force, as well as his status as a family man and “proud American.” He has also shown opposition to illegal immi-
gration, which has raised some concern in Tulsa’s Hispanic community. All Vision propositions passed Proposition 1 installs a permanent tax to benefit public safety, and passed 72 percent to 28 percent. Proposition 2, also a permanent tax, will benefit Tulsa’s public transportation system, and passed 75% to 25%. Proposition 3 creates a 15-year temporary tax to benefit Arkansas River infrastructure and development projects, and passed 63 percent to 37 percent. An additional sales tax question passed A final proposition retains the 0.05% of the expiring sales tax not covered by the new Vision proposals, and passed 64 percent to 32 percent. This means that the total sales tax will remain the same. These funds will go towards roads, infrastructure and county parks, as well as capital improvements for building and parking.
says” at an event on the 28th. “One of the things about security that I’ve had to learn over time is that when they tell you not to do something, you don’t do it, it’s for your interest,” he continued, “And the Secret Service is very important in these decisions as is security around the entire convention.” Senator Ted Cruz provided a similar response, saying that he hadn’t actually reviewed the petition in question but that “you would certainly want to get the recommendation from Secret Service — how to maintain security for everyone.” Donald Trump said that he would have to read “the fine print,” but that he is also “a very, very strong person for the Second Amendment.” Kirsten Kukowski, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, reinforced the party’s collective support for the Second Amendment in a public statement. She also emphasized that “the Republican National Convention is a National Special Security Event which means the Secret Service is the lead agency and we will defer to their planning as it relates to the safety and security of the Convention.” ...And the man behind it Despite being shot down by the Secret Service, the RNC open carry petition garnered more than 50,000 pro-gun supporters. It also elicited responses from GOP
presidential candidates, the Secret Service and countless major news outlets. The only problem? The writer of a petition is not a Republican party member or even a gun supporter, but rather a liberal gun control proponent. Six days after the petition was written, CBS News traced the username “The Hypernationalist” to a man who chose to identify himself only as “Jim.” Jim described himself as a liberal Democrat, and he intends to vote for Hillary Clinton should she become the Democratic presidential nominee. He is also a passionate advocate for gun control. Jim told CBS that the petition is not quite a work of satire, and insists that it was a genuine political statement rather than what many would refer to as “trolling.” “I’m 100 percent sincere in my conviction that guns should be allowed at the GOP convention,” he said. “[It would be a reflection of] the policies they sought to impose around the nation.” Jim knew that the chances of firearms being allowed at the convention were slim, but he also wanted to hold Republican party members accountable for their support of Second Amendment rights and promote discussion. “If they can’t live in accordance with the policies they impose upon us, they owe us that rational conversation.”
April 1 1:00 a.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were dispatched to investigate a possible noise complaint at Brown Village. Upon arrival officers heard loud bass coming from an apartment. Officers made contact with the resident and asked them to turn down the bass. They were issued a housing contact card and informed of the policy if we were called back again.
April 4 9:58 a.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were dispatched to the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority for a suspicious individual approaching students. Upon arrival officers made contact with the individual who was identified as a non TU affiliate. Officers explained they were on private property and trespass banned the individual and escorted them off campus.
April 2 9:10 a.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were dispatched to investigate a possible a person screaming in University Square South Apartments. Upon arrival officers could not hear anything and checked the area but could not find any evidence of anything going wrong.
3:03 p.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were dispatched to investigate a a fire alarm at Brown Village Apartments. Upon arrival officers made contact with the resident who stated while cleaning their oven it caught on fire. Officers investigated the apartment and found the fire already out. Tulsa Fire Department arrived to evaluate the scene and found no danger, as well as inspection by the Brown Village PSM and Physical Plant Maintenance Manager.
April 3 4:50 p.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were dispatched to Pat Case Dining is response to reports of an irate TU student. The student was upset that the facility did not offer a greater variety of food. Staff members stated that a similar incident had a occurred before. The officer met with the student, and informed them that their behavior would not be tolerated.
10:40 p.m. University of Tulsa campus Security officers were given a set of keys. The owner was unable to be contacted so the keys were placed into the property locker for safe keeping. The Collegian does not edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.