After Connecticut Shooting, Should Snyder Sign Bill Allowing Guns In Schools?

Should Michigan's governor sign a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in schools?

That's the question many in Michigan are asking as legislation heads toward Gov. Rick Snyder's desk that would allow gun owners with concealed weapon permits to carry their gun in schools, daycares, hospitals or public arenas if they receive extra training.

The bill passed the Senate in late November and was approved by the House earlier this week. According to MLive, the bill is now awaiting Snyder's signature though according to Click On Detroit, Snyder said Friday that he isn't rushing into signing the bill but plans on taking a week to review and finish the language.

The issue of guns in schools was thrust into the national spotlight again Friday after .

Administrators at Birmingham Public Schools had to deal with the issue of guns in schools first hand after a parent brought a gun into a Birmingham elementary school while picking up his child.

According to Birmingham's Deputy Superintendent for Instruction Paul DeAngelis, Birmingham's position on guns is simple: "there is no place for guns in schools."

While nothing happened during the incident that occurred at an undisclosed elementary school in early October — district spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said no charges were filed nor has there been any move toward litigation — the parent was primanded by the Birmingham Board of Education.

A note from the school board said the man was in violation of School Board Policy 7217 — which prohibits anyone from carrying a gun on school property, with several exceptions — and should he do it again, he could be banned from school property.

"I want people to feel safe," DeAngelis told Patch earlier this month. "Our fear will always be weapons in schools."

While schools and school property are on the list of Michigan's Pistol-Free Areas," according to MCL 28.425o, concealed carry on school property is a murky area in federal and state law.

In a Nov. 2 statement from Clark Hill, PLLC — the law firm representing Birmingham Public Schools — the firm's attorneys noted that while schools are listed as a prohibited area for firearms, this prohibition "does not apply to individuals licensed by Michigan or another state to carry a concealed weapon."

On Birmingham Patch, many readers argued that responsible gun owners being able to carry their weapons is a deterrent that prevents tragedy.

"Not even anti-gunners are stupid enough to believe that "No Guns Allowed" signs will prevent mass murdering criminals from bringing guns on campus and slaughtering as many children as they like," Sean Sorrentino writes on Dec. 15.

What do you think of the legislation? Should the governor sign it?