Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
A recent court ruling that allows a father to openly carry his gun in a Michigan elementary school has bolstered the confidence of plaintiffs who filed a similar suit against Ann Arbor Public Schools.
In April, Michigan Gun Owners and Ann Arbor parent Ulysses Wong filed a lawsuit against the district and Superintendent Jeanice Swift, claiming policies the Board of Education enacted in the spring that effectively ban guns from schools violate Michigan law.
"I have no doubt they are going to lose and we are going to prevail," said attorney Jim Makowski. "It seems the law is on our side."
On Monday, Aug. 10, Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman ruled a Clio-area father can legally openly carry his pistol in his daughter's elementary school. The district will appeal the ruling.
In the Ann Arbor case, the district filed a motion for summary disposition, asking the judge to dismiss the case. In a response to the lawsuit, the Ann Arbor schools stated the lawsuit mischaracterizes state law and the board's policies.
Makowski said he plans to file a motion asking 22nd Circuit Court Judge Carol Kuhnke to deny summary disposition.
Michigan Gun Owners and Ann Arbor schools will appear next in court on Aug. 27 for a scheduling conference.
On Sept. 23, the two parties will meet for a hearing with Judge Carol Kuhnke.
Meanwhile, Swift said the district remains committed to maintaining safe schools.
"We will continue to work vigorously to protect our children, our schools and our Ann Arbor community from the dangerous disruption posed by the presence of guns in our schools," she said.
Swift declined to comment further on the lawsuit.
Dr. Sonya Lewis, an Ann Arbor parent who has spoken out against guns in schools, said she was disappointed in the Clio lawsuit ruling and supports Ann Arbor schools.
"Guns in schools jeopardize the physical and emotional safety of students and staff and disrupt the process of learning," she said. "We can't determine the intentions of a someone carrying a gun by sight alone."
The policies and subsequent lawsuit stem from a March 5 incident when Ann Arbor resident Josh Wade openly carried a handgun into Pioneer High School during a choir concert.
The school board created three policies that outline the superintendent's ability to be able to close schools, cancel buses or student and staff events before, during and after school in the case of an emergency. Law enforcement officials, including retired judges, are exempt from the prohibition against carrying guns.
While state law prevents people from carrying concealed firearms on school property, individuals with concealed pistol licenses can openly carry their firearms in schools.
Ann Arbor parents and residents spoke out against guns in schools at school board meetings and with a MoveOn.org petition.
Lindsay Knake is the K-12 education reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com. Find all Washtenaw County K-12 education stories on MLive.com.