Mike
Site Co-Founder
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/08/arts_beats_eats_and_guns_open-.html
SNIP
Do organizers of the Arts, Beats and Eats festival have the right to ban firearms from public streets and sidewalks in Royal Oak?
A group of open-carry advocates don't think so, and they plan to protest the ban at tonight's meeting of the Royal Oak City Commission.
Festival producer Jon Witz tells the Royal Oak Review the organizer's contract with the city is akin to leasing the streets and sidewalks.
"We have the right to restrict access," he told the newspaper. "We think we have the right to do that because it's a private event."
However, City Attorney David Gillam said he is examining whether Witz's argument has legal merit, and Michigan Open Carry Inc. deputy coordinator Rob Harris argues the ban infringes on individual rights.
. . .
SNIP
Do organizers of the Arts, Beats and Eats festival have the right to ban firearms from public streets and sidewalks in Royal Oak?
A group of open-carry advocates don't think so, and they plan to protest the ban at tonight's meeting of the Royal Oak City Commission.
Festival producer Jon Witz tells the Royal Oak Review the organizer's contract with the city is akin to leasing the streets and sidewalks.
"We have the right to restrict access," he told the newspaper. "We think we have the right to do that because it's a private event."
However, City Attorney David Gillam said he is examining whether Witz's argument has legal merit, and Michigan Open Carry Inc. deputy coordinator Rob Harris argues the ban infringes on individual rights.
. . .