School board urging lawmakers to make it illegal to bring guns to school buildings
ROCKFORD, MI - The Rockford school board is urging state lawmakers to add public schools to the list of places in which people cannot open carry firearms.
"This really is not rocket science but a common sense step to help superintendents do their job to create a safe and orderly environment at school for children and staff," said Superintendent Mike Shibler, about the board resolution passed unanimously Thursday, Oct. 14, requesting the open carry law be amended.
"I am not against people having guns for protection or for sport and hunting, but we need to make sure schools are as safe as possible. Our staff is not trained to discern the mental state of someone carrying a gun and are directed to call 911."
A bill (HB 4104) was introduced Jan. 24, 2013 by state Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, that would have changed the law that allows CPL holders to open carry at schools but it never got out of the Local Government Committee.
In September, Edgerton Elementary school officials in Clio called the police after a father legally carried a loaded pistol on his waist into the school building while picking up his daughter. Law enforcement officials told them the father was within his rights to carry the gun.
Read More: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/open_carry_law_rockford_board.html
