GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A resident of Kent County and a supporter of gun owner rights said a Grand Rapids city ordinance prohibiting gun owners to carry openly in public is violating a state law.
One by one gun owners came up to mic to talk about the reasons they should be allowed to carry a gun openly in public, some even wore their opinion openly on their hip. Their position is clear, they say the city ordinance prohibiting guns to be openly displaced goes against the state law.
A handful of people took the podium Tuesday during the public comment section of the regularly scheduled meeting to voice their opinion to the City Commission.
The were able to speak on the topic because one gun owner, Tom Lambert, has drafted a resolution that was put into the record today. The resolution according to Lambert, was meant to strengthen and clarify the gun laws in the city.
He was hoping his resolution will reach the council but it’s clear from Mayor George Heartwell who said even if it’s a violation of state law, he has no plan to change the ordinance.
Heartwell said he doesn’t want to see guns at a public meeting period, he said guns can intimidate people from speaking their mind. It’s unclear if the commission will pick up the issue at a later date.
Lambert said he had no intention of letting it go.
