Hevymetal
Regular Member
Well for those of you who remember reading my post about me working the polls for the local township at the primary and the ensuing ****storm the clerk gave me about carrying my sidearm while working and my refusal to disarm for her.
(In case you missed it)
http://forums.opencarry.org/forums/...E-on-Aug-7th&p=1803463&viewfull=1#post1803463
A letter showed up in the mail today addressed to me from the township (I will post a redacted copy in the next day or so when i get a minute) stating the NEW policy for ANY township employee, contractor or visitor (who is not a LEO) will NOT allow the carrying of firearms/knives of any type/explosives/chemical weapons in, at, or around the polls or township property, functions or events. They are demanding I sign the document if I wish to continue to work at the polls. The letter also goes on to state they can and will search me, my property and/or vehicle at their will to make sure myself and/or others are in compliance with the new policy.
They also threatened to Trespass me and have me arrested if I show up at the polls with my firearm to vote or work.
Unbelievable, they are trying to take away my 2nd and 4th Amendment rights in one fail swoop. I am saddened and dismayed that they are forcing me to choose between what I feel is my civic duty to help with the election and my firm belief in the right to keep and bear arms.
I realize they can come up with whatever convoluted, garbage employment contract they want and try to strongarm workers into signing it. However their veiled threats to have me arrested if I come to vote with my sidearm infuriates me to no end.
I am unsure how to proceed from here. Obviously I will NOT sign ANY document relinquishing my rights which means I will probably be dismissed as a poll supervisor and will not be working at the election. I will not be bullied, intimidated or prevented from exercising my right to participate in the election.
I am contemplating writing a response to their letter informing them they can prevent me from working without my sidearm but they are a Township therefore falling under the provisions of the MCL 123.1102 statute (correct me please if I am wrong) and they CANNOT prevent me or anyone else for that matter from showing up for the election or any other Township function or event with my sidearm. Township property and buildings are public spaces and they have NO authority to regulate possession and/or carrying of weapons on that property.
The fact they are already threatening to have people arrested who violate their illegal policy needs to be addressed. I am looking for advice and opinions on this matter from the powers that be who have more experience and knowledge then I. I humbly ask for MOC and others to enlighten me on the best way to proceed forward on this matter so that the township and I come to an amicable consensus. If they don't want me to work the polls with my sidearm so be it, but I WILL BE VOTING with it regardless if they like it or not.
My apologies for this long winded rant.
/rant off
Hevy
(In case you missed it)
http://forums.opencarry.org/forums/...E-on-Aug-7th&p=1803463&viewfull=1#post1803463
A letter showed up in the mail today addressed to me from the township (I will post a redacted copy in the next day or so when i get a minute) stating the NEW policy for ANY township employee, contractor or visitor (who is not a LEO) will NOT allow the carrying of firearms/knives of any type/explosives/chemical weapons in, at, or around the polls or township property, functions or events. They are demanding I sign the document if I wish to continue to work at the polls. The letter also goes on to state they can and will search me, my property and/or vehicle at their will to make sure myself and/or others are in compliance with the new policy.
They also threatened to Trespass me and have me arrested if I show up at the polls with my firearm to vote or work.
Unbelievable, they are trying to take away my 2nd and 4th Amendment rights in one fail swoop. I am saddened and dismayed that they are forcing me to choose between what I feel is my civic duty to help with the election and my firm belief in the right to keep and bear arms.
I realize they can come up with whatever convoluted, garbage employment contract they want and try to strongarm workers into signing it. However their veiled threats to have me arrested if I come to vote with my sidearm infuriates me to no end.
I am unsure how to proceed from here. Obviously I will NOT sign ANY document relinquishing my rights which means I will probably be dismissed as a poll supervisor and will not be working at the election. I will not be bullied, intimidated or prevented from exercising my right to participate in the election.
I am contemplating writing a response to their letter informing them they can prevent me from working without my sidearm but they are a Township therefore falling under the provisions of the MCL 123.1102 statute (correct me please if I am wrong) and they CANNOT prevent me or anyone else for that matter from showing up for the election or any other Township function or event with my sidearm. Township property and buildings are public spaces and they have NO authority to regulate possession and/or carrying of weapons on that property.
The fact they are already threatening to have people arrested who violate their illegal policy needs to be addressed. I am looking for advice and opinions on this matter from the powers that be who have more experience and knowledge then I. I humbly ask for MOC and others to enlighten me on the best way to proceed forward on this matter so that the township and I come to an amicable consensus. If they don't want me to work the polls with my sidearm so be it, but I WILL BE VOTING with it regardless if they like it or not.
My apologies for this long winded rant.
/rant off
Hevy