Donald Trump is speaking at the RNC despite a recent attempt on his life. A gun violence expert said RNC attendees shouldn't "feel any greater threat."
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images // United States Secret Service
The Secret Service can't ban guns near the Republican National Convention following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump — but convention-goers shouldn't spend their time worrying about a copycat attempt, one gun violence expert told Business Insider.
During a campaign rally on Saturday, a gunman on a roof opposite Trump shot near the former president while he spoke. Trump said he was hit in the upper part of his ear with a bullet. A bystander at the rally was killed.
The incident resulted in a flurry of criticism directed at the Secret Service and concerns about the safety of the former president and attendees at the RNC.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he had considered delaying his trip to Wisconsin but later changed his mind. Trump arrived in Milwaukee Sunday evening and will speak at the RNC on Thursday.
During a press conference Sunday, the Secret Service said it would not take on additional security measures despite concerns that guns would be allowed within blocks of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University, said it's unclear if the RNC is at greater risk because of Saturday's events, but he "wouldn't feel any greater threat."
Fox pointed out that not many shooters in history have inspired copycat killings, and Saturday's gunman, who had little social media presence and is still an obscure figure, will most likely not be "idolized by others."
"We've had other instances in our history of assassinations and assassination attempts without any follow-up or copycats," James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University. "Obviously, given the political climate as a country as divided and heated, there is always a chance. But I would not conclude that the chance is raised because of what happened this past weekend."
The Secret Service released its RNC safety plan in June, detailing how several blocks around the Fiserv Forum will be cordoned off in two perimeters: an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter only accessible to pedestrians.
Attendees in the inner perimeter will be barred from bringing in guns — though guns will still be allowed outside.
Wisconsin law allows for the open-carry of firearms and concealed carry with a license for anyone above the age of 21 — as long as they can pass a background check.
"We have to respect your Second Amendment right to carry your firearm, especially in regards to open carry or carry and conceal with a license," Jeffery Norman, Milwaukee Police chief, told reporters on Sunday during the Secret Service press conference. "And so that is an issue that we have to navigate."
United States Secret Service
As someone who follows gun violence statistics, Fox said he often finds that people's fears are not in line with what he said data shows: that gun violence is not an epidemic.
Although he advocates for "reasonable and sensible gun legislation," he believes "things are not as bleak" as others say.
"Fear remains high because the perception is different than the reality," Fox said.
