ATTN: Mayor Bing, Mayor of Detroit
Mayor Bing,
My name is [TheQ], I am a resident of the City of Lansing and a Member of Michigan Open Carry, Inc. What I say today is not on behalf of the organization, but I am inclined to believe Michigan Open Carry, Inc., would agree with most of the message.
First, please, let me express my regrets about what has happened recently in your precinct. I wish the man would have found a more peaceful way to end his own life than involve several of your officers, wounding many of them in the process. What a tragedy.
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/01/shooting_at_detroit_police_pre.html
I was a bit concerned when I read you being quoted in a recent article about the possibility of installing metal detectors in precincts. I am wondering what the purpose for this is. As you may know you can not ban firearms from city police precincts. As I am sure you are aware, such attempts would be in direct violation of MCL 123.1102, which reads:
"A local unit of government shall not impose special taxation on, enact or enforce any ordinance or regulation pertaining to, or regulate in any other manner the ownership, registration, purchase, sale, transfer, transportation, or possession of pistols or other firearms, ammunition for pistols or other firearms, or components of pistols or other firearms, except as otherwise provided by federal law or a law of this state."
Furthermore, the State Court of Appeals weighed in on this law in MCRGO V. City of Ferndale:
THE MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS CONCLUDED:
April 29, 2003 9:10 am. v No. 242237
"In sum, we conclude that § 1102 is a statute that specifically imposes a prohibition on local units of government from enacting and enforcing any ordinances or regulations pertaining to the transportation and possession of firearms, and thus preempts any ordinance or regulation of a local unit of government concerning these areas.
Further, we conclude that the specific language of the 2000 amendments to MCL 28.421 et seq., particularly §§ 5c and 5o, which were adopted more than a decade after the enactment of § 1102, do not repeal § 1102 or otherwise reopen this area to local regulation of the carrying of firearms.17 Accordingly, we hold that the Ferndale ordinance is preempted by state law and, consequently, we reverse."
If the City of Detroit attempted to ban firearms in government building, it would be contrary to State law. The firearm community of Michigan would stand against any violation of 123.1102. So I suggest you analyze your reasons for the installation of expensive metal detectors in precinct buildings. I do support the installation of bullet resistant glass and a policy on being more observant when dealing with the public.
I do hope your city will work through this tragedy in a constructive and quick manner.
Most sincerely,
[TheQ]