Open Carry in a School?

Michigan has some crazy messed up concealed carry laws. Within the past couple of years, they have passed some legislation that allows for concealed carry permit holders to open carry in pistol free zones (but it’s still illegal for them to carry concealed in PFZ). A poster over at the Great Lakes 4×4 forum received this email from school administration after a ccw holder LEGALLY open carried a firearm in the school:

November 22, 2013

Dear Parents:

Last evening Fox News ran a story regarding the recent open carry of a firearm at a Scotch Elementary PTO event. I want you to know the many actions that have taken place over the last few weeks prior to the airing of this story.

1. 1) Michigan law allows individuals who have a concealed weapons permit to openly carry firearms in schools. The individual involved in this incident verified with the West Bloomfield Police Department that he has a concealed weapons permit, which also permits him to openly carry a firearm in a school. The school district does not have the authority to deny this right granted by the Michigan State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. We are working with the legislation to modify the law. House Bill 4104 has been introduced and at this juncture, appears to be buried in committee.

Sec. 5o. (1) Subject to subsection 1 (5), an individual licensed under this act to carry a concealed pistol, or who is exempt from licensure under section 12a (1)(f)shall not carry a concealed pistol on the premises of any of the following:

. .

(a) A school or school property except that a parent or legal guardian of a student of the school is not precluded from carrying a concealed pistol while in a vehicle on school property, if he or she is dropping the student off at the school or picking up the

child from the school. As used in this section, “school” and “school property” mean those terms as defined in section 237a of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.237a.

. . .

2. At a regular Board meeting on Monday, November 25, 2013, the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education will consider adopting a resolution urging lawmakers to amend the Michigan Penal Code, MCL 750.234d, adding public schools to the list of entities at which a person shall not possess a firearm except as provided in subsection (2) of MCL 750.234d. This resolution will be forwarded to our designated state lawmakers including Governor Rick Snyder, State Senator Mike Kowall, our State Representatives Klint Kesto, Tim Greimel and Mike McCready, Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and the Michigan Association of School Boards and the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

3. At our PCN meeting (Parent Communication Network) we have encouraged PTO leaders and parents to express their views with the legislation. In addition, I have shared my views with the Oakland County Superintendents Association (OCSA), who has expressed concern county wide with the open carry law.

The safety of our children is always of the utmost concern. We are working closely with the West Bloomfield Police Department and Police Chief Mike Patton. I encourage you to contact your legislators to express your views on this very important issue.

Y’all know I’m not really an open carrier, but if it’s the only way you can legally carry in the school, I’m all for it.