Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
A Washtenaw County judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit against Ann Arbor Public Schools that claimed its policies banning guns break state law.
Michigan Gun Owners in April filed a lawsuit against the district, which had enacted policies that effectively ban guns from schools.
Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Carol Kuhnke on Wednesday, Sept. 23 granted the district's motion for summary disposition, thereby dismissing the lawsuit.
While state law prohibits local units of government from enacting firearms policies, the law does not define a school district as a local unit of government, Kuhnke said.
Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Swift said she was thrilled but not surprised by the decision.
Jim Makowski, the attorney for Michigan Gun Owners, said he will appeal the ruling.
Related: Lawyer says judge catered to Ann Arbor voters in dismissing gun lawsuit against schools
The Ann Arbor Public Schools policies create a "dangerous weapon and disruption-free zone" on all district-owned property, prohibiting the presence of guns, explosives and a variety of knives and other objects.
Kuhnke's ruling is contrary to the outcome of a similar lawsuit against Clio schools. A Genesee County judge ruled earlier this year a father can carry a gun into schools as state law does not ban concealed pistol license holders from openly carrying in schools.