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  • Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14: March 02, 2014

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Offline bigt8261

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Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« on: January 17, 2014, 11:18:33 AM »
That's right folks, this isn't your typical gathering, this is a march!

Background:
On Sunday, March 3rd 2013, around 12pm, Johann Deffert was walking home from breakfast with a holstered openly carried pistol. Despite having done nothing wrong, Mr. Deffert was detained at gunpoint by the Grand Rapids Police. Mr. Deffert was forced to lie on the ground while he was handcuffed. During this detention, his firearm and identification were taken from him. Two officers then proceeded to berate Mr. Deffert for lawfully openly carrying his handgun. One officer even threatened to further harass Mr. Deffert by reporting him to the Kent County gun board. Eventually, Mr. Deffert was released after the officers were unable to find something to charge him with.

Event Details
Michigan Open Carry will be holding a demonstration of every day open carriers, the day before the one year anniversary of Mr. Deffert's detainment. Our goal is to demonstrate in force, what the typical open carrier is like, and to show that there is nothing to be concerned about. We will be walking the same route, at the same time, on the same day of the week as Mr. Deffert.

When: Sunday March 2nd @ 11:30am
Where: Start at Fuller Park (250 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids 49503).
Rout: MAP
•  Leave Fuller Park at 11:30am and head North on Fuller Ave towards Michigan St.
•  Turn East on Michigan St.
•  Continue down to the corner of Michigan St. and Lakeside Dr where Mr. Deffert was Detained.
•  After spending some time at this destination, we will turn around and head back towards the park.
•  Those that wish too will continue West down Michigan St. towards Monroe Center (City Hall).

We will be demonstrating as typical, every day open carriers, as Mr. Deffert was when he was detained.

Therefore, we ask that you carry the same gun that you carry every day. The objective is for people to look at us and realize that we are not so different, and understand that there is no cause for alarm when they see us in the grocery store, gas station, or any other place they may encounter us in our everyday lives.

Lastly, New Beginnings, which is located roughly across Michigan St from Fuller Park has cleared us for breakfast around 10:00am. Their address is 1455 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The restaurant does not serve alcohol so a CPL is not need to open carry there. Feel free to bring friends and family. See you then.

Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1398966813685910/?source=1
« Last Edit: January 17, 2014, 01:23:02 PM by bigt8261 »

Offline jgillmanjr

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 11:22:25 AM »
Oustanding!

Now I just need to get this STA to go through...
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Offline Raggs

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 11:28:38 AM »
wouldn't it be possible to leave the vehicles in the parking lot of NB as far from the doors as possible?

Offline bigt8261

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 11:33:18 AM »
wouldn't it be possible to leave the vehicles in the parking lot of NB as far from the doors as possible?

I don't know for sure. I would say it depends on how full the parking lot is and I would suggest that people who don't eat there don't park there.

(ETA) That being said, I will be moving over to the park.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2014, 11:38:38 AM by bigt8261 »

Offline jgillmanjr

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2014, 11:37:31 AM »
I would think as a courtesy, unless you're going to eat and go w/o being in the march, park in the parks parking lot.
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Offline CV67PAT

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2014, 11:42:59 AM »
Will signage be provided? Or should we bring sign board and have stencils and paint provided for us?
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Offline bigt8261

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2014, 11:47:37 AM »

Offline Raggs

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2014, 11:48:31 AM »
I don't know for sure. I would say it depends on how full the parking lot is and I would suggest that people who don't eat there don't park there.

(ETA) That being said, I will be moving over to the park.

I totally agree, if you don't eat don't use the businesses parking lot. However their parking lot is quite large and if we kept our vehicles on the fringe I think it would be fine to leave them there after eating.

Offline 32_d3gr33s

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2014, 11:50:32 AM »
I'm glad this is happening. I'll be there.
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Offline bigt8261

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2014, 12:06:29 PM »
Will signage be provided? Or should we bring sign board and have stencils and paint provided for us?

Great question. I currently have zero plans for this, but if someone else would like to jump in here ....

Offline Xpiatio

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2014, 01:03:37 PM »
All depends if we want signs or not.  I thought the main goal was to open carry while walking to the location of the detainment and then walking back over to City Hall area.

Offline Ezerharden

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2014, 01:19:57 PM »
Here is a map of the proposed route if interested.

https://goo.gl/maps/iWtbt
Want to keep informed of events in your area? Go to http://www.miopencarry.org/update

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Offline gjenkins

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2014, 09:04:26 AM »
Anyone in Jackson/Mason/Lansing areas who wants to carpool to GR for the March march, send me a message. I have room for 5 in my van, and a locked case in the back for non-CPL holders. (NOTE: I will need to see your CPL before you get in the van with a loaded.)

You can get me on Facebook (Gregg T Jenkins)
Or on skype gjenkins49201
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Offline Steelshooter

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2014, 10:59:38 AM »
First post. I and a couple of friends will be making the drive down from Traverse City.

Offline bigt8261

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2014, 11:14:27 AM »
First post. I and a couple of friends will be making the drive down from Traverse City.

Excellent and welcome!

Feel free to hit up the new member introductions section too.

Offline bigt8261

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2014, 08:29:53 AM »
Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Offline TheQ

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Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #16 on: February 20, 2014, 10:24:15 AM »
Tonight? I thought it was on 3/2?
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Offline Ezerharden

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #17 on: February 20, 2014, 10:33:10 AM »
Same here
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Offline Michigun

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #18 on: February 20, 2014, 11:58:04 AM »
I think he was referring to the open carry seminar in Grand Rapids tonight.

Offline jgillmanjr

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Re: Open Carry MARCH - Grand Rapids - 3/2/14
« Reply #19 on: February 21, 2014, 05:43:36 AM »
First post. I and a couple of friends will be making the drive down from Traverse City.

I'm gonna see if I can't convince a certain former county commissioner to come down from TC..
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