For those that want to read rather than listen...Here is an almost-complete transcript...bracketed quotes are the interviewer (some of that is not exact language but summary). The rest is Patterson, obviously with ellipses indicating skipped language.
I find it really interesting that he seems to think that presenting himself in this explosively angry way will make families feel 'safer' about going to the festival. If I was on the fence about whether to go to the event because of the open carry stuff, his hot headedness would definitely push me over the edge to NOT go, despite his insistence that open carriers will be nearly invisible at the event (again, why is he so angry if they are going to be invisible? His points don't even make sense in his own convoluted framework.) This makes me wonder if he doesn't even really care if attendance is affected - at this point, maybe he believes that if attendance is down (which is likely anyway since the economy sucks), he can just blame the open carriers...this makes me think that he's not really concerned about making families feel safer but rather just covering his ass on all fronts.
Anyway, the transcript:
“Under the state of the law, they [Royal Oak] had no choice…I don’t think they favored it. They had to rule that the law in fact allows this band of misfits to carry their weapons openly. They can’t take the guns out of the holster, that would be brandishing…these characters can walk around, I don’t think the public will even see them. Last night you couldn’t see the gun [on the news] because the belly fell over the pistol anyway…I’m really…angry that they take advantage of a loophole, and we can change this in the legislature, but they are going to get away with it this year. If they are so damn interested in carrying weapons, why don’t they join the army and go to Afghanistan? They can carry all kinds of weapons. Big guns! They can even ride in tanks. They don’t belong in a family festival in Royal Oak…they can get away with it for the time being. I’m angry that they’re taking advantage of this loophole and going into a festival… We created Arts Beats and Eats as a quality [??] event in Oakland County that would - really have a family kind of event where you could bring your kids – this group is going to come in – I want to convince the public that you won’t even see them, you won’t even know they’re there. Because a couple of these idiots are going to do it, and they’ll be in and out of there, you won’t even know they’re there. By the time this rolls around this year, we will have passed this loophole.”
[Those who are into carrying guns would take offense at you calling them idiots]
“I hope so. I mean, they ARE idiots. Only because this is a family radio station that I don’t tell you my true feelings about these people. Well, you’re pushing my buttons. These guys you know, found a loophole, and they’re marching through it. That’s all I can say. They’re worse than idiots. Again, family radio being what it is.”
[The loophole was what? A contract that you and Arts, Beats and Eats -]
“The loophole is the state law which governs where people who have concealed weapons are regulated. If you have a concealed weapons permit, you are regulated. You can’t carry into bars…That’s if you have a concealed weapons permit. The Constitution of Michigan, however, does not address the fact if you carry it openly. So it’s not a contract that we signed. It's the Michigan Constitution that the courts are interpreting.”
[…the Michigan law allows guns to be carried openly into many public buildings…]
“Exactly, that’s the Michigan Constitution, not Michigan law. Let’s separate the two, Michigan has a statute which is a law that governs concealed weapons…that you hide under your jacket…and they’re very tough on where you can carry, where you can’t carry. But openly, you can carry a gun on your side, strapped to a holster, and there’s no law governing that, and we’re going to correct that.”
[But they are banned in banks…churches…unless those who are in charge of those venues – can allow guns]
“If we could bar them, we would try to do so. We have a written contract with Royal Oak that says no weapons are allowed. Unfortunately, that provision in our contract is not enforceable, given the state of the Constitution today in Michigan. We hope to change the law and have some statutes enacted which gives us some authority to keep these misfits out in future festivals.”
[As the father of Arts, Beats and Eats…this issue never surfaced when the event was in Pontiac? Correct me if I’m wrong?]
“This is a 12-year – you’re right, it never happened before. Why they are picking on festival which is considered one of the top festivals in the country - we’re ranked in the top 20 of these kinds of art festivals nationally. Why they’re picking us [to make] their point? All they’re trying to do is make a point. Okay, guys, you’ve made your point. Now go away and crawl under some rock.”
[having said that, I’m sure you’ve been following this. These gun rights activists say, look this is just the starting point. They are going after Clausen, they are going after Pontiac, in your Oakland County. Taylor, Flint…for local rules that say – they say, anyway, infringe on gun rights. Their goal is to bring gun ownership out of the closet. I think that’s the line that they are using.]
“[stumbles on words] I guess they gotta get a life. If this is what they are put on this planet for is to test the gun laws – well, god love ‘em. They can go down Michigan, how many cities? We have 500 cities, 1700 townships. Knock yourself out guys. Then you can go to Ohio, Indiana…50 states, we got territories, you can spend your whole life testing these laws. But if they really want to carry a gun, I mean, a big gun that makes a lot of noise, why don’t they go to Afghanistan?”
[Do you think it will deter families from coming…?]
“That’s why I’m angry. We’ve had a great festival for the last dozen years, and some calls that I’m getting – not a lot, but some calls saying we’re not going there with our families. And these guys don’t give a damn if they interfere with family weekend. A festival. They don’t care. They are selfish about this point. You can keep your kids at home, we’re going to carry guns into a crowded festival. I can’t tell you how much I dislike this group of misfits.”
[They’ll say, well the bad guys, they’ll be carrying guns and you won’t even know it.]
“I’ve heard that crap for 19 years when I was prosecutor.”
[Hmm. So the outcome of this particular decision – maybe it will change the law here in the state of Michigan? Because I think there was a resolution passed last night to try and do that?]
“I’m getting calls from democrat legislators, republican legislators. I think this is going to be a simple remedial piece of legislation that may even run in the lame duck session if not next year.”
[random ramblings at end]
“I want your listening audience to join me down at the draft board when these guys sign up.”
