Gun rights activists filled the Royal Oak city council chambers last night in the latest protest against the ban on firearms at the upcoming Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival.
Arts, Beats, and Eats, formerly held in Pontiac, will be held in Royal Oak for the first time this Labor Day weekend from Friday, Sept 3 until Monday, Sept 6. The festival includes an art show, live performances, food concessions, and venues where alcohol will be served for on-site consumption.
Local gun rights activists have attended the last three Royal Oak city meetings to bring attention to what they believe is unlawful firearms ban.
The controversy is over a “no-firearms allowed” clause in the contract between The City of Royal Oak, the site of the festival, and the private Arts, Beats, and Eats, Inc. (ABE) company contracted to run the festival.
The Michigan Firearms Preemption Act 319 of 1990 act bars cities or other local units of government from enacting or enforcing any firearms laws stricter then state law. Among other things, this prevents cities from banning firearms from city owned property such as buildings, public streets, or city parks.
Gun rights activists claim the agreement between the city and ABE banning firearms is illegal and unenforceable due to the firearms preemption law. The city disagrees, but has instructed the city attorney to review the matter. A decision as to whether the contract might be changed could be announced as early as next week.
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Comments
Our local fairgrounds tries to pull this every year, even though a similar law is in effect stating CCW holders are allowed to carry in places owned by the city (i.e. parks, fairgrounds, buildings, etc. Thanks for the writeups and see you on ZS.
Fascinating. I sure hope that the city comes to its senses and finds the contract invalid.
Why do people with a gun-fetish feel the need to carry a loaded weapon at an art festival?
Because Royal Oak is so dangerous? Because of the bad crowds that hang out at art festivals? Give us a break. Leave your stupid guns at home for once.
Do you wear a seat belt when you drive? Have insurance? The concept of attempting to put yourself in the safest position in the unlikely case of life hitting your blindside are the exact same as the idea behind legally carrying a firearm.
"Truth": I don't have a gun fetish, I have a fetish for staying alive and not being the helpless victim of a violent criminal.
Tell me, do you honestly believe that this restriction would prevent someone who wished to commit murder - perhaps multiple murder - from taking a gun into the art festival?
Yes, I know. There are certain places that I should not be allowed to carry my gun. By that logic, there should be certain places where you, Truth, should not be allowed to speak your mind. This should be one of them.
If what I have said offends you, you are a hypocrite.
Maybe the police should be forced to check their firearms at the door too, Truth?
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