Candidate Security How Does This Work?

[Dirty Dawg]

Secret Service clears the store and its perimeter.

Yep. Typically, they clear the area then control everyone and everything that happens for the duration. I've had occasion to meet many SS agents assigned to any number of highly placed political types. Some are very laid back and fun to be around and some are high strung and intense but they are all very observant and on top of their game. I wouldn't mind having a couple to watch my back.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Her life is more important than yours.

I don't think that any politician would argue that his or her life is more or less important than anyone else's life. I think the protection is there for two reasons:

1. More people want to kill (some) politicians than want to kill you or me. For example, at any given time in the US, there are probably 100s of times as many people that want to to kill the President as there are who want to kill you or me. In addition, there is no one who wants to kill because of my job - I am not in any kind of public office. The reality is that there are people who want to kill public officials for fame, glory, revenge, etc.
2. It is critically important that our political process not be subverted by violence. If that were to happen, then our policy would be determined by the most violent among us.

Mike

 

[Riz58]

Guys, not all stops are staged or planned in advance. I have been involved in politics at fairly high levels for years. For example, when then VP Quayle stopped in my hometown, on the way to the event, on the spur of the moment, he stopped and shook hands in a a small restaurant. The Secret Service goes in just ahead, scans the building or room and in comes the big dog. Non-scheduled stops are relatively low risk since a BG cannot plan on the political figure stopping there.

Believe it or not, most political candidates really like getting out and meeting the ordinary folks. They are real people, and many were once where we are today.

With that said, stand on your rights and get booted out the door, secured away from the scene until it is safe again, or you may ruin the experience for everyone else who does not get to meet the celebrity. There is a time to stand on your rights and a time for common sense. Cooperate, stow the gun, and everyone will have a good time.

 

[jakemccoy]

I was joking about her life being more important. However, it doesn't really matter what I think...

 

[Dark_Harvest]

You *SHOULD* expect that business to have been vetted several DAYS before the visit, and definitely under watch all day.

I work somewhere with NO PUBLIC ACCESS. You have to have a digital key to even get in the building. Our governor visited recently, and we had unannounced visits from police days beforehand, checking access, etc.

And we are not particularly on the national conscience...

So you can bet that the situation you describe has about a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 to 1 chance of actually happening.

But if it does, tell her i said hi!