Gov. Rick Snyder is renewing his support for banning openly carrying firearms in Michigan schools.
Right now, people with concealed pistol licenses can legally openly carry in schools. But they cannot carry weapons that are concealed.
Snyder says banning open carry in schools is something he and lawmakers are discussing.
“I would imagine there’ll probably be ongoing discussion,” he said. “Because, again, open carry in Michigan schools is not a good thing. And most states don’t allow it.”
The governor’s remarks to reporters on Wednesday came as hundreds of openly-carrying pro-gun activists rallied just a couple blocks away at the state Capitol. Gun rights groups say they’re working with policy makers, including the governor, to reach a solution.
They say they’re OK with the idea of outlawing open carry in schools.
“What we’d like to see as a compromise is to allow concealed carry in schools,” said Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners Executive Director Brady Schickinger – who organized the open carry rally.
“That will help alleviate the problem of any disruptions caused from carry.”
But Snyder says he’s also not sold on that plan.
“In terms of just trading the two things, I don’t think that’s a good answer either without other conditions,” he said.
Those other conditions would include allowing schools to opt out and ban guns altogether.
The Ann Arbor school district faces a legal challenge over its recent move to ban guns. That move stemmed from a disruption caused by a family member who openly carried a firearm on school grounds at Pioneer High School.