Its hard to believe that a once Michigan Open Carry MOC gun rights group whose focus is on open carry would would actually support a bill in which it would in essance ban open carry in PFZ's in order for concealed carry holders to be granted the right. It's a pretty terrible position in my opinion and it will hurt MOC quite a bit. I wonder how many gun rights folks will avoid MOC because of their terrible decision to support this sham of a bill.
If the bill passes I can be we'll also see PFZ restrictions on places that are allowed to do so. Such as signs going up with NO GUNS ALLOWED. The precious PFZ bill will only bolster more anti-guners to post more restrictions to their venues. Not failing to mention that OC'rs will be denied the right automatically under the force of the law in those same areas. Taking a way a right to carry by allowing another form of carry is in no way a win win and this bill specifically will single out open carriers as being something people dont want. It's a terrible bill and personally I'd be happy that it's left alone if this is the alternative!
Except, under the current law, OC in the PFZs is not a right. It is a privilege, and a tenuous one at that. Carry under a CPL, whether it's OC or CC, if required to carry, is not a right. Until we get rid of the necessity to have state approved papers, it's all a sham any way.
We can't carry concealed without a CPL, and we can't OC in certain places, including our own vehicles, unless we have a CPL. That is not a right in my book, that is a state approved privilege. Unfortunately, with the current people in state government, it's probably the best we can do right now.
Until the bozos in Lansing take off their blinders and see that the Pistol Free Zones are actually Criminal Empowerment Zones, AND that OC is no more dangerous than CC, our so called right to carry a pistol, or any firearm will always be a privilege, and not a right.
Yes, I know, we have "shall issue." Big whoop. You still HAVE to have training, you still have to have a background check, and you have to pay $105.00 once every 5 years!! Frankly, I'd rather have Indiana's model, even though you need a license to carry at all down there. At least they have the option of a life time license, no required training, and unless/until SB59 goes through, fewer PFZs than we have. Oh, and their license is simply a license to carry. "Concealed" is not on it at all.
Still, not a right, a licensed privilege. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll ever see full Constitutional carry in my life time. Hopefully, before my sons die, they might see it.