Capital Area District Library can ban open carrying of guns

[jpak]

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110527/NEWS01/105270324/Capital-Area-District-Library-can-ban-open-carrying-guns?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Capital Area District Library has the authority to ban people who openly carry firearms from entering the library or any of its branches, a judge has ruled.

Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said Wednesday the library does not fall under a "local unit of government" such as a city, village, township or county, which under state law cannot prohibit open carry of firearms.

The ruling grants a permanent injunction to the library against those openly toting weapons.

Michigan Open Carry Vice President Rob Harris said the ruling is a disappointment.

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open carry fail

yup

[sharesunited]

1. What kind of a goofy state legislature prohibits local units of government from

shutting down open carry?

A nice blue state like Michigan going Schutzstaffel?

[TheWraith]

6. The kind that values constitutional rights over personal prejudices.

Like saying that local governments in the south can't put more restrictions on black people voting. Or that states can't ban abortion. Or that freedom of religion can't be outlawed in Utah.

[CelticThunder]

9. Ridiculous comparisons.

[PavePusher]

16. How so? Specifics, please.

And do keep in mind that "...keep and bear arms..." is a Civil Right, Constitutionally protected.

[gejohnston]

2. So how common is open carry?

Seriously, I grew up in Wyoming and no one did. I go home and see no one doing it in town. I fail to see the issue.

[ileus]

5. It's not an issue I see maybe 4 people a year besides myself.

And I only carry during hunting season, fishing, or camping...maybe during some jeep or bike rides. It's not that urban of a thing to do, if I'm going to be near that many people I CC.

[gejohnston]

11. Same here, back home anyway. Florida banned OC in 1893, they just evenly enforce it now,

if you get my drift.

[spin]

3. I notice that legal concealed carry was mentioned ...

Harris said he believes library officials will ban concealed weapons as well following Aquilina's ruling.

Interim library director Maureen Hirten said the library has not discussed banning concealed weapons.

Gary Bender, an East Lansing attorney who represents CADL, said the ruling helps to ensure safety to the library's patrons.

"The library board is pleased with the judgment and, of course, the board's interest in this all along has been for the concern of the safety of its patrons," Bender said.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110527/NEWS01/105270324/Capital-Area-District-Library-can-ban-open-carrying-guns?odyssey=nav|head

If the library doesn't also ban concealed carry, I suspect they are more concerned about their patrons reaction to seeing a firearm carried openly. I also suspect this would never have been an issue if no one had ever tried to carry openly in the library.

The biggest drawback that I can see to open carry is that it does tend to bother some people.

[ileus]

4. Why are they scared of the OCer's?

[CelticThunder]

8. Maybe because they're carrying GUNS? You know - deadly weapons?

[ileus]

15. In the wrong hands perhaps...on peoples hips nothing but an innocent machine.

[Starboard Tack]

10. What are the OCers scared of that they have to OC?

Why is everyone driven by fear?

[gejohnston]

12. When you get on a train in Switzerland or Isreal, do you wonder same about the machine gun "toters"?

[Starboard Tack]

13. Never been to Israel, but have taken trains often through Switzerland

and I've spent time in Switzerland without seeing any machine guns. Doesn't mean they aren't there, I just didn't see any. Maybe things have changed.

[gejohnston]

17. Assault rifles not light machine guns. Mostly militia members to and from range.

and the annual target shooting championships.

[Starboard Tack]

18. Oh, OK. Must have missed that.

Nice folk the Swiss. Not terribly exciting , but very civil. Not much CC going on methinks.

[ileus]

14. The ocer's like cwper's are motivated by safety not fear.

[Starboard Tack]

19. Safety from what? The "bad" guys they're afraid of?

Safety from others with guns. If they feel that unsafe in their everyday lives, they might want to spend some time figuring out why they feel so unsafe. As you guys like to point out there are much greater dangers out there than being shot at. Remember cars kill more people. So do toters all drive hummers?
Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. We all feel afraid at times. It's how we deal with it that makes a difference.

[CelticThunder]

7. Good.