This is a big deal and there is a lot of comment from the community about this targeted push from Michigan Open Carry to force local communities to allow this. It puts a cloud over the work of 21 charities who benefit from the event as well as being a popular and well attended affair.
There is a call from local leaders to get help from the state to reinforce the ban on handguns at large events. I hope sanity will prevail. It is certainly bringing a lot of attention to this event although maybe not in the way desired.
One thing about metro Detroit events: they are always well staffed with law enforcement. In fact, police cannot take this weekend off because of this event. So I do feel that it is a safe event. Another thing is that if you drink and carry, you lose your right to carry. That is the law. So if you want to drink, don't bring your gun!
Although there has not been any mention of this on Art Fair Insider, as far as I know, and the fact that it just happened, I feel that it is better to be informed about what you are going into before you get there. You can have time to get the facts, feel what you feel, and develop an attitude of going forward with a positive mindset. I would rather get my bumps over early than when I get there!
Connie, if you have any more information on this, please let us know. Bruce & I are looking forward to the event!
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Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont had no problems with anybody entering the Governor's office packing heat. Heck, here in vermont you don't even need a permit! And we're known as the most "liberal" of all the states. And a state with one of the lowest crime rates too.
All states have a "concealed weapon" law. That means anybody that may come into your booth may in fact be armed. You just don't know it. I believe everybody's upset because they can actually see the pistols.
I also know a few exhibitors who are armed themselves. And there are more than you might realize. Especially jewelers with real stones. Personally, nobody will know if I have a weapon with me or not. But I do travel and I like the idea of defending myself. And I am a level 5 sharpshooter.
So don't get all upset just because you see a weapon. Those people went through a rigorous training AND safety course in the handling of the weapon.
Everybody had a cow when Starbucks allowed weapons inside their stores. And there have been how many mass murders at Starbucks since?
Like i said. You have encountered more customers who were armed than you know. And nothing happened. And nothing will happen at this show either.
Thanks for coming back in with your ideas.
Good luck y'all doing this event. I will be enjoying Labor Day holiday and the waning days of summer happily off. I long ago finally realized art shows on holiday weekends just aren't worth doing as it seems last thing people want to to is go to an art show, especially if it's nice out, at the end of summer, in the north. Maybe the beats and eats, but as with any combo fest, the art ends up being the sideshow in these attendees minds... Royal Oak or not.
I would have thought the same thing until at a show in Walterboro, SC earlier this year. I asked the waitress where I was having breakfast if she was going to go to the festival or not and the first words out of her mouth were "Well, I'm surprised they are even having that again this year after the shooting and all down there last year." Needless to say the festival was less than I had hoped for.
If people in Michigan don't like the law, then change the law, if people that don't live in Michigan oppose the law, then by all means think about whether or not you want to go to Michigan folks!
In the meantime, why, oh, for the love of God - why - must it be pontificated and beaten to a pulp like Gumby's horse on a hot sidewalk in Chicago in August (Yep, his name was "Pokey", so no need to look it up.) here on these pages where everyone is right and no one is wrong except for the people that are not wrong, because they're obviously right unless they're wrong?
If we are going to have people preach while they condone, and condemn the laws or lack thereof in Michigan - can we at least move on to something less divisive like capital punishment or ? Or maybe casinos or perhaps abortion - that's always a knee-slapper! How about child labor laws in Sri Lanka?
I wonder how many pro and anti- gun control websites discuss art fairs on their forums. Not many I betcha!
Can we get back to the business of art?
I think you've made your point now.
You've even gone a bit too far to get the message home.
Before it gets too frightening,
We ought to call a vote,
So could we start again please?
-St Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar) 1970
It's not the guys with the guns that causes the problem necessarily, but as one of the organizers of the event it is the possible economic impact on the festival of people who will stay away because they don't want to be near the gun carriers.
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