In a surprising about face, Tampa City Councilwoman, Lisa Montelione, withdrew her motion to ask lawmakers for help in banning concealed weapons in the RNC Event Zone.
State law allows people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns in the zone that is planned for RNC demonstrators. City Council members originally worried about this and planned to ask state lawmakers to make an exception and ban firearms within that zone.
At Thursday's council meeting, Montelione said asking to ban firearms would hurt free speech.
"If the secret service hypothetically moved the line for the secure perimeter, it would put protesters even further from the actual events of the convention. So, that's defeating our purpose," said Montelione.
She also said it's too late to ask for help and would be too expensive to have to hold a special session to make the change.
Governor Rick Scott has already said he would not intervene.