A Michigan circuit judge ruled in favor of concealed gun rights activists Friday deciding that it was unlawful for local event venues to restrict the carrying of firearms, Mlive reports.
Supporting the claims of gun rights groups Michigan Open Carry Inc. and Michigan Gun Owners Inc., Kent County Circuit Judge Joseph Rossi stated the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s weapons rule violated Michigan’s firearms laws.
“Hopefully, my ruling inspires them to adjust their policy,” Rossi said. “The court disagrees with the language… I’ll let the CAA determine its policy, as long as it fits the law.”
The lawsuit was filed after a March 2016 incident when officials told three exhibitors with holstered firearms at the West Michigan Women’s Expo at DeVos Place that they must not enter the site with their guns, or else be charged with trespassing.
According to MLive, the exhibitors were there to give information about self-defense choices. One exhibitor exited the area and the other two disarmed themselves.
The owner of the DeVos Place property does not allow concealed carry, but does allow for lawful open carry as per Michigan state law and the wishes of any group that leases the property.
The gun rights activists argued that management cannot ban firearms on the properties and requested to preclude them from “enforcing invalid attempts at firearm legislation/regulation which is preempted by state law.”