A Wichita hotel that is hosting the state’s Republican convention has decided to allow participants to bring their guns if they want, despite signs saying firearms aren’t allowed.

Butler County Republican Party chairwoman Debbie Luper told party members in an email that Hyatt Regency Hotel has agreed to relax its gun ban for the sold-out convention that starts Friday.

State GOP executive director Clay Barker called the lifting of the ban symbolic because most would not be taking their guns.

Barker says the temporary change was an acknowledgement by the hotel that Kansans have the right to carry firearms.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Sam Brownback’s office declined to say whether he planned to take a gun along, calling it a “party issue.”

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Associated Pres information from: The Wichita Eagle