Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Haslam shot down a request from state troopers to work security at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention this weekend in Nashville.
Eight Tennessee Highway Patrol officers requested permission to work the event in their off-hours, but Haslam’s administration denied that offer, citing the security gig would cost the state too much money. The troopers wanted to use their patrol cars during their time there, which the governor’s office claimed was an expense the THP could not “recoup,” according to the Associated Press.
While state troopers are barred from providing security, the NRA is expected to pay over $200,000 to off-duty Nashville police officers to do the job, The Tennessean reports. Nashville’s Democrat Mayor Karl Dean and his administration appeared to have no objection to city cops working there.
This isn’t the only gun-related issue Haslam has addressed this week. On Monday, the Tennessee governor said he had “major concerns” about a guns-in-parks bill that was eventually passed by the state legislature. However, Haslam signed the bill into law on Tuesday.
The NRA convention is expected to draw over 70,000 attendees and will feature several GOP 2016 hopefuls, such as Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.
Haslam was not invited to speak.