The other week Joshua Wade showed up at an Ann Arbor high school choir concert openly carrying a gun. The police were called and, on confirming that Joshua Wade had a valid concealed pistol license (CPL), allowed Wade to return to his seat in the auditorium. The choir director approached Wade and told him that he was making people uncomfortable. Wade thanked the director for letting him know and remained in the auditorium. Brian DiBlassio, who was attending the concert, became very concerned about Wade’s armed presence. Between musical numbers, he photographed Wade. After the concert, DiBlassio informed the crowd that someone present had a gun and ammunition. He encouraged people to contact the school board and state representatives if they were uncomfortable.
Wade was within his legal rights to carry a gun to school. MCL 28.425o prohibits people with a CPL from carrying concealed in nine pistol-free zones, including school or school property unless it is a parent or legal guardian dropping off or picking up a child and the pistol is kept in the vehicle. This statute applies only to CPL holders who are carrying a concealed pistol, not to CPL holders who are openly carrying a gun.
This “open carry” loophole is the focus of possible new legislation being drafted by State Senator Mike Green, R-Mayville. Mayville wants a bill that would prevent gun owners with a CPL from openly carrying in gun-free zones. The legislation would, however, allow CPL holders with more extensive training to carry concealed in these zones. Governor Snyder vetoed similar legislation in 2012.
In policies passed at its April 15th meeting, the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education banned guns on all school property, stating that it may restrict the exercise of certain constitutional rights as long as the restrictions are reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns such as causing disruption to the educational campus or activity. In response, the pro-gun advocacy group Michigan Gun Owners and a school parent filed suit against the Board and the superintendent, seeking declaratory judgment alleging that the policies banning guns violate Michigan law and the state’s constitution.
Pro-gun advocates and anti-gun advocates agree that schools should be safe for our children but will argue for longer than this winter has seemed to last regarding how schools are to be made safe. It will be interesting to watch where this issue goes and how the balance between gun rights and school safety is ultimately decided.