Published here.
The people working for the organization calling itself "The City of Lansing" attempted to disarm me tonight, but failed. First, some back story...
While reading through an Internet Forum I found this
news article saying "weapons" would be banned from the fireworks festival. Like many of you, I know,
MCL 123.1102 prevents local governments from making regulations about firearms. This story concerned me. I have a rapport with Chief Yankowski since the days he has been Captain Yankowski -- we've talked on a few occasions. On July 3rd I had a conversation with Mr. Yankowski with my concerns about the city prohibiting firearms from the firework festival grounds. He assured me they would only be enforcing their knife ordinance. The knife ordinance prohibits knifes over 3". Since Michigan has no knife preemption at the moment, their ordinance is enforceable. Mr. Yankowski assured me people in lawful possesion of a firearm (open or concealed) would be allowed into the firework grounds.
"Armed" with this information, I proceeded to enter the festival grounds. To hasten the security check I had the contents of my pockets in my hands: my wallet, my cell phone, my keys, and the spare magazine for my Springfield XD(m).
My turn came to walk through the check point. There was a conversation with the head security guard (private company hired by the city to run screening tonight -- a possibly illegal activity under the 4th amendment). The conversation went something like this:
Guard: You can't have that (pointing to my openly carried sidearm) in here.
Me: I assure you, I can. I spoke to captain, err Chief Yankowski about it yesterday. You should go ask him.
Guard: One moment, stand over there. (pointing a few feet away).
The guard went to talk to a group of officers about 40 feet away from the checkpoint. He walked back to the checkpoint after a few seconds with his radio in hand. I overheard the traffic on the radio from a nearby guard: Be advised, there is a man who will be openly carrying a handgun on the grounds tonight, The Lansing PD says it's okay.
Me: (as the guard walks back to me) I'm all set then?
Guard: Yeah
Me: Have a good night.
I wasn't a good example, I didn't have an audio or video recorder running for the incident. It lasted about 3 minutes. One man on
MGO (free account required) was reportedly refused access at the same festival while carrying concealed.
He wrote: I was refused entrance due to carrying. I chose to unarm at my wifes [sic] request so she could see the concert / fireworks. I'm not real happy about it but
que sera sera...Clearly I need to follow up with Mr. Yankowski about this in the near future. They may need to educate their security guards in advance next year.
Stay safe and stay armed...
Phillip Hofmeister
President
Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
PHofmeister@miopencarry.org
