West Bloomfield School Board Passes Open Carry Resolution

With little discussion, West Bloomfield school board members on Monday passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to add schools to the list of places where gun owners, with few exceptions, cannot carry their weapons. 

The move came after last week's news report about a Scotch Elementary parent who videotaped himself walking around the school property with an openly visible, holstered gun. The video was posted on the YouTube.com social media website, but has been removed.

"We feel that for the overall safety of the schools and the students that we would like to have public school districts added to the list" of places where carrying a gun is not allowed, Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hill said. 

Michigan law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon in schools, but allows licensed gun owners to openly display them. The parent who made the video did not break the law, West Bloomfield Township Police Chief Michael Patton has said. 

"From a personal perspective, I've visited with several superintendents in Oakland County, and we are all feeling vulnerable from this legislation," Hill said.

After officials approved the measure, Hill said he would forward it to Gov. Rick Snyder, Michigan's legislative leaders and local representatives, as well as the Michigan Association of School Boards and Michigan Association of School Administrators. 

"Safety is of utmost concern and a number one priority for all of our students in all of our schools," board president Randi Sakwa said.