As unlikley as it might seem, OpenCarry.org, the hub of the American open carry movement, has come out against government mandates requiring open carry. The issue bubbled up amidst recent howls by the Metro Detroit political class lamenting Michigan Open Carry Inc.'s victory in securing gun carry rights at the upcoming Arts, Beats and Eats 2010 festival in the City of Royal Oak.
It turned out that Royal Oak's contract with the festival organizers called for banning both open and concealed carry at the festival. Further investigation revealed that Michigan law actually requires Michigan's Concealed Pistol License holders to open carry at bars, schools, and certain other venues.
OpenCarry.org's press release has more:
----------
OpenCarry.org
(A pro-gun Internet community of over 22,000 registered members)
For Immediate Release - August 22, 2010
---
The Great Battle of Royal Oak Reveals Official Ignorance of Michigan Gun Rights
OpenCarry.org Calls for Repeal of Michigan’s Open Carry Requirement at Bars, Schools, Hospitals, et al.
---
On August 16, 2010 the Royal Oak City Commission voted to clear the air about
gun carry this Labor Day weekend. As would be the case in most states, both
open and concealed carry will officially be allowed at this year’s downtown Arts,
Beats and Eats festival.
But a more ominous revelation arising from the resolution of the Great Battle of
Royal Oak is the apparent official ignorance of Michigan gun rights by both
elected leaders and some editorial boards across the Wolverine State.
For example, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has called for more
gun control at the state level to criminalize gun carry at events like Arts, Beats
and Eats and erroneously argues for such measures by stating that under current
Michigan law "[y]ou can't carry openly in church or a bar.”
“Mr. Patterson and a lot of newspapermen need to bone up on basic Michigan gun rights,” urges John Pierce, co-founder of OpenCarry.org and a 3L at Hamline Law in Minnesota. Moreover, notes Pierce,
“Michigan state law doesn’t just allow open carry in bars, it requires it!” That’s right - as is mapped out in detail by Michigan Open Carry Inc.’s gun carry reference chart at
http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid =3207&d=12787
75874, Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders (and non-residents with their home state carry licenses) can carry handguns at not just churches and bars (majority of income from open glass sales), but also banks, theaters, sports arenas, day care centers, hospitals, and K-12 schools. Importantly however, these CPL holders MUST open carry at all of these locations except churches and banks.
State law open carry requirements are not unheard of – for example, North Carolina requires open carry in banks and Wisconsin requires open carry at all times (concealed carry is banned). And until July of 2010, Virginia required open carry in alcohol serving restaurants (the requirement was repealed this year with bi-partisan support even from the Democrat controlled state Senate).
OpenCarry.org has consistently backed the right to open carry as the core right protected by the Second Amendment which the US Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) explained secures the “the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.” But “we draw the line at forcing folks to open carry,” says Mr. Pierce, adding that “anyone who goes through the process of obtaining a license to conceal a handgun ought to be able to concealed handguns throughout the state – CPL holders deserve to be able to use their license and should not have to expose their firearm just because they are stopping at a bar or their child’s school on the way home from work.”
Accordingly, OpenCarry.org urges the Michigan Legislature and Governor Jennifer Granholm to repeal all of Michigan’s open carry requirements placed upon CPL holders.
Carry on!
###
Media Contact:
John Pierce: John at OpenCarry.org
Comments
I don't want to be required to carry openly, required to carry concealed, nor prohibited from carrying in either mode at any location. I am an American, under the US and Michigan constitution, I have the right to both keep, and to bear arms. This means that I should not have to ask permission for, or have to pay to exercise these rights. It means that I should not have to meet certain requirements to use those rights. It means that those rights apply to me, no matter where I am, whether in my home, in my car, or about my business.
Why should I be able to protect my second grade daughter at home, at the store, at the park, in my car, and anywhere else that I go, but when I take her to her school, I can't protect her anymore? I need a license to do that? And if I exercise that high level of responsible parenting, the school might ask me to leave. This makes no sense at all.
Please correct as follows: "On August 16, 2010 the Royal Oak City Commission voted to clear the air about gun carry this Labor Day weekend. As would be the case in most states, bothopen and concealed carry will officially be allowed at this year’s downtown Arts,
Beats and Eats festival."
OC for non CPL holders WILL NOT BE ALLOWED! We don't want people getting arrested for this error.
The constitution says we can carry arms. The government is breaking that law by requiring permits. We don't need any permit to carry, weather concealed or not.. The constitution doesn't say if they have to be above or below our clothing.
Anonymous - why must open carriers have CPLs to open carry on foot at the festival??
Because they designated the whole festival as one big alcohol establishment,No seperate beer tents to stay in. People can roam through the 3x5 block area drinking anywhere they please. making the festival like one big bar.
Anonymous - need you to cite to statute on that - Michigan law sets forth 2 types of drinking establishments - one requires open carry, one does not.
This guy is a moron! Nothing he has stated should be considered positive approval from the Michigan residents that do OC. This guy does not live in Michigan therefore should not be representing Michigan residents and there right to OC. Michigan resident are doing a fine job representing themselves and do not need help from Mr. Stollenwerk or Opencarry.org! It would seem the Mr. Stollenwerk the stuper moderator of opencarry.org is more interested in seeing his name attached to media outlets then providing any real support to the OC movement. My suggestion would be to mind you own bussiness in your own state!
If the festival has a license to serve hard alcohol, then arguably only CPL holders can carry (openly or concealed) - but if its only beer, everybody can open carry.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!